Mayor Daley puts $2 million city price tag for Obamafest.

[WeDidIt]

Mayor Daley puts $2 million city price tag for Obamafest.

By Lynn Sweet on October 23, 2008 12:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
WASHINGTON--Flush with cash--and still begging donors for more--the Obama campaign is planning a $2 million dollar election night extravaganza at Chicago's lakefront Grant Park.

BY FRAN SPIELMAN
Chicago Sun-Times City Hall Reporter

Mayor Daley today put a $2 million price tag on the cost of city services associated with the giant Barack Obama election night rally in Grant Park.

He suggested the United Center as cheaper simpler alternative but was turned down.


The mayor said the cash-flushed Obama campaign has agreed to reimburse the city for those services because Chicago is grappling with a $465 million deficit and is in no position to pay for it.

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[mucifer]

1. yes that's a little too insane for me. And what do they do if he loses?

I'm trying to decide if I will go. I live in Chicago. Me and a coworker and some others are thinking of renting a hotel room. I only live 3 miles from Grant park but it would take hours to get home. That's what happens on the forth of July when I've gone downtown.

[WeDidIt]

2. I'm in the suburbs

My wife and I are waiting until we're closer to the actual election to see what the weather looks like before we decide if we'll book a hotel room.

[IndianaJones]

15. I'm waiting too, but I don't want to miss getting a room.

Looking at the Best Western Grant Park and the Essex.

[WeDidIt]

17. Here's a hint

The Hyatt has been sold out for weeks.

Shhhhhhh!

[IndianaJones]

20. The Best Western is really close to Grant Park I think...

and the rates weren't bad.

[WeDidIt]

21. Yeah, but...

if the Hyatt has been sold out for weeks, where do you think Barack will be watching returns?

:evilgrin:

[Drunken Irishman]

3. This tells you Obama thinks he'll win.

[nerddem]

4. or just an expectation of what it takes to accomodate obama-sized crowds

it's always been people-powered, it's always involved huge numbers, and it's always been unconventional, so it would be strange if they all of a sudden just got a ballroom with a bunch of balloons like everyone else always does.

we've been in this together in the highs in huge numbers, and if need be, we'll go down together in huge numbers--but it'll probably be a great big celebration party.

[mucifer]

5. But, I do find it unethical to spend that much on a party. I also had a problem with

Bill Clinton spending millions on his inauguration. While people in this country don't have food, it's just wrong.

[nerddem]

9. i see where you're coming from

but the money comes from a conscious decision by millions of people to give in small amounts. i mean, this is nowhere like what authoritarian or sultanistic regimes do, using state resources to aggrandize themselves. the idea is also that this investment by all of those people will pay off in a presidency and congress that can better tackle those bread and butter issues. think of the parties as dividends until january.

[Occam Bandage]

10. People decided to give the money to a political campaign instead of food shelves.

Blame them.

[ThatsMyBarack]

6. It's a JINX!

:hide:

[kid a]

7. This is the last thing that needs to be talked about now.

This is the kind of "wardrobe" story that plays weel

[FrenchieCat]

8. "The mayor said the cash-flushed Obama campaign has agreed to reimburse the city for those services"

Did I miss something?

[WeDidIt]

18. Nope, you missed not a thing

Daley's price tag was $2 million and Obama said, "sold".

I understand why he did it. Chicago was denied victory parties thrice in 2008. First when The Bears lost the Super Bowl. Then the Cubs were knocked out quickly in the NLCS followed quickly by the Sox in the ALCS.

Chicago has a lot of pent up celebration waiting to come out in teh streets. It's all gonna show up on November 4.

[AngryAmish]

11. I'm getting old - this sounds like a nightmare

Standing outside for hours on a November night surrounded by drunk people - nightmare.

The only thing worse is if there are Secret Service checkpoints, they snatch all the booze and they don't have any inside. Shudder. Imagine trying to do that sober. Shudder.

Anyway, I'm sitting in a bar watching it hopefully. Unless we can't get a babysitter. Then I'm at home.

[Patient]

13. I live right there

Can't wait! I hope they release information on how to attend soon.

[AngryAmish]

14. Have they addressed the critical issue of booze availabilty?

[izzybeans]

23. It's chicago, there is booze on every corner.

[Born_A_Truman]

12. Do I detect a bit of disapproval from Ms Sweet?

I suppose she expected Obama to hold a potluck paid for by a tag sale.

[ramapo]

16. I'm jealous

My son is in Chicago. I know Barack's neighborhood and Grant Park well. I wish I could be out there. I'll just have to make believe with my imagination that I'm standing amidst the throngs.

[WeDidIt]

19. Psst

My wife used to live two doors down from the Obamas in the 90's.

:evilgrin:

[jkshaw]

22. This is critical:

How big is Grant Park? I mean, how many people will it hold? If Obama gets 100,000 people at a pre-election rally, how many are going to show up to celebrate an Election VICTORY?!

[ramapo]

24. It is BIG n/t

[WeDidIt]

25. Well, look at a map...

It's Pretty Friggin' Huge

I'd bet over 100,000 easily, maybe a lot more if overflow goes into the rest of the park. Maybe half a million?

[Born_A_Truman]

26. I'll be watching from the couch

With my laptop on DU and mIRC chat. Hope I can stay awake. I haven't had a good night's sleep in weeks.