Denver May Not Land 2008 Democratic Convention

[Cheney Killed Bambi]

Mile-high hopes are dimming that Denver will secure the 2008 Democratic convention.

Democrats posted against-the-odds victories in several statewide elections last month in the West, making Denver an attractive choice for a party looking to expand on recent gains in the Republican-leaning region. But even once-optimistic Colorado boosters are lowering their odds to 50-50 that Denver will beat out New York City for the convention.

Colorado Sen. Ken Salazar said this week that in private conversations Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean had expressed legitimate concerns about whether Denver can raise the necessary $55 million and put on a seamless convention.

Colorado Democratic Party Chairwoman Pat Waak said Friday that whether Democrats will pick Denver "comes down to the practicality of (Denver) being able to do this."

"There probably is some sentimental favoritism toward Denver because the West is the new Democratic ground, and Colorado did so well in the last election," Waak said. "But everything I've heard is that this costs a lot of money to do and obviously New York is a much bigger city with a much bigger corporate base to raise money from."

Dean and the DNC have been mum about whether they are leaning toward Denver or New York. A decision is expected before the end of the year.

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20061216/D8M1K1EG2.html

[brentspeak]

1. There's a lot more need for the Democratic convention to be in Denver than NYC

It's called, "expanding the base".

[sabbat hunter]

2. conventions arent

about expanding the base. they are about who can get the most money for the party. NYC also has an advantage in facilities and hotels.

[momophile]

3. I really want it to be in Denver

I mean, talk about a motivator for local Dems. I've never been near a political convention, but it sounds fun. Now, how do I actually get inside once it's here?

[Robbien]

4. The Rocky Mountain News has a great opinion piece on this today

Littwin: What's Denver to do if DNC says 'Drop Dead'?

We're good enough. We're big enough. And, doggone it, even the pope liked us. - Apologies to Stuart Smalley

I'm worried. I'm worried that it looks like we're starting to beg. I'm worried about the increasing likelihood of a mile-high civic humiliation.

The latest news is that Ken Salazar, John Hickenlooper and Bill Ritter made a conference call Friday to Democratic National Committee chief Howard Dean, making yet another pitch for bringing the Democratic National Convention to Denver. As you may have heard, New York and Denver are the finalists.

. . .

Of course, it would be no shame to lose to New York, the center of the world, the city so nice that - in Letterman's words - they named it twice. No one is seriously debating the merits of Gotham vs. our nice little town - the merits of the city that never sleeps vs. the city that needs a good eight hours.

But how about losing to New York when it's not even trying?

. . .

The big worry, though, is money. Even truly big cities have this problem. Apparently Los Angeles in 2000 and Boston in 2004 came up short of their guarantees. And while Denver says money isn't a problem, I couldn't help noticing Hickenlooper raising money for the Martin Luther King memorial the other day by asking Denver citizens to contribute two bucks. How's he going to fund the DNC - with rolls of quarters?

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/news_columnists/article/0,1299,DRMN_86_5218276,00.html

[Cha]

7. Thanks for that op-ed, Robbien.

I'm real close to NYC but I'm hoping Denver gets it for the sake of bringing the excitement of Democracy out WEST..my home town.

[madfloridian]

5. Update from yesterday. More positive for Denver.

http://www.9news.com/acm_news.aspx?OSGNAME=KUSA&IKOBJECTID=88a360e2-0abe-421a-00ee-15e0697a560a&TEMPLATEID=0c76dce6-ac1f-02d8-0047-c589c01ca7bf

DENVER - "Another day, another lengthy phone call with Democratic Party Chairman Howard Dean, but this time leading Colorado Democrats emerged "very hopeful" that Denver can land the 2008 national convention"

Cody Wertz, spokesman for Sen. Ken Salazar (D-Colorado), said the senator joined Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper, Governor-elect Bill Ritter, and others on a one-hour conference call Friday with former Vermont Gov. Dean.

After that conversation, Wertz says Salazar emerged "confident and enthusiastic" that Denver will show Dean it can raise the $80 million needed to hold the convention."

[davidinalameda]

6. I want to see the convention in Denver

the fastest growing area for us is the West

[Tangledog]

8. I'm a Northeasterner

And I say go with Denver. I don't know if the location of the convention makes any difference in the electoral column, but I see absolutely no downside to having a higher profile in the Rockies (no pun intended, of course).

[NewJeffCT]

13. I'm a Northeasterner, and I agree with you

It would be nice to have it out of the normal cycle of cities, too.

[bigluckyfeet]

18. I Have Not Forgotten

How NYC treated the protestors in 2004,why reward them now.

[Scout1071]

9. I'd love to see it in Denver, BUT it is rather expensive to get to Denver.

I live in Kansas City and I've been amazed my whole life about how expensive it is to fly to Denver from KC. It's about the same distance as Dallas or Chicago from KC, but easily costs 3x's more. What gives with that? I've heard similar complaints from friends flying in from other cities.

Having said that, I love Colorado and I think the Dems would be smart to move it to the West/Midwest.

[ctaylor721a]

10. All MTV's fault

I think Denver's chances went out the window when MTV decided to hold the current season in Denver. I mean that's a tough act to follow. How do you outclass seven alcoholic college students who fight and have sex all day long. Just not possible.

[Stewie]

11. Having the convention in a state does not mean you win it

The Republicans didn't exactly do better in New York. I din't understand where this "we need to win there so have the location there" myth sprang from.

The convention location should come down to A) Who offers the best facilities/location and B) Which is more convenient for the delegates?

New York wins on both counts. It's also closer to the media and the east coast location reduces the chances of speeches airing late.

I used to live in Denver and love the city, but New York is a better convention location.

[geardaddy]

12. I was told the reason why Denver wouldn't get it.

I was tole the reason why Denver wouldn't be in the running was that they don't have any hotels that have union representation. That's why Minneapolis/St. Paul is leading the race with Denver. Or so I was told.

[MaineDem]

14. Minn/St Paul is out of the Democratic running

The GOP is going there. It's between Denver and NYC.

[geardaddy]

16. Crap.

I didn't know that. I knew both parties were courting the Twin Cities. Crap, crap, crappity crap that that GOP is coming. Or maybe not...:evilgrin:

[IndianaGreen]

15. The Hillaristas want to hold a coronation in New York

something suitable for their new Queen. Hopefully, Democratic primary voters will have something to say about that.

[mountainvue]

17. Denver has NO union hotels. I should know,

I worked at the very last one. The mayor won't get behind a union because before he was mayor, he owned a group of local restaurants. God forbid they should have to pay their employees a living wage or benefits. Of course he won't come out and say that. He just rides the fence on the issue of organized labor. He's since put the restaurants in some sort of trust. The city is too busy telling me what size my trash cans should be and roaming around city hall in jeans and funky cowboy hats to really bring this home for the Dems. I'd love to have seen it here when Webb was mayor. I'm starting to wish he was mayor again with each passing day. Let it go to NYC. They've got the money and the union labor even if their mayor is a Republican. It will serve this shitty right to work state right if they lose that convention over their constant refusal to support organized labor.

[DavidDvorkin]

19. Wrong. Denver does have a union hotel.

See here:

http://demnotes.com/?p=196

[mountainvue]

20. Good job HERE! That's my old union. n/t