Obama camp to charge for Nov. 4 access

CHICAGO, Oct. 21 (UPI) -- Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama's campaign is charging news organizations if they want to cover the senator's election-night gala in Chicago.

In a memo sent Tuesday, the Obama campaign says media credentials will cost $715 to $1,815, depending on whether electrical and phone lines are needed and whether an indoor or outdoor seat is requested for the event in Grant Park, Crain's Chicago Business reported Tuesday.

The campaign said free admission is available for the "general media" area, which will not have access to top campaign officials.

"Please note that the general media area is outdoors, unassigned and may have obstructed views ... standing room only," the memo said.

Senior campaign officials will be available only in the "press file" tent, for which an additional admission fee of $935 per person is being charged.

An Obama spokesman said that the fees will only pay the costs of such things as building risers with a view of the stage.