CORPORATE CASH PAYS WAY FOR DEMOCRATS IN BOSTON.(PERSPECTIVE)

Byline: MICAH L. SIFRY and NANCY WATZMAN

Forty years ago, some Americans had to fight to get into a national political convention. Today, people fight not to get into the convention but into the constellation of corporate-sponsored parties surrounding it.

Last Sunday night in the heart of Boston's theater district, we stood in a crowd outside the ultra-hip Roxy nightclub, watching as limousines, town cars and cabs disgorged hundreds of revelers streaming inside for an exclusive $600,000 party featuring the Neville Brothers. The party, honoring the ``Blue Dog'' caucus of conservative Democrats in the House of Representatives, was paid for by about 30 corporate sponsors, including the Altria Group (the …