Saturday, January 06, 2007
Denver by default
WE’VE MOVED! Democratic Convention Watch is now at http://www.DemocraticConventionWatch.com
I just don’t see how the convention can go to New York after this:
Referring to Denver as the city “which everybody says is the odds-on favorite,” Mr. Bloomberg emphasized the difficulty of raising enough money to cover the costs of playing host to the convention, sounding very much like a man reluctant to win his own bid.
…
“I have no idea what they’re going to do,” Mr. Bloomberg told reporters, referring to Democratic officials. “As I said, we’d love to have them, but I don’t think the city can put itself on the line in this day and age to guarantee” the $80 million to $100 million needed for such a convention.
Bloomberg told a radio audience Friday that New York couldn’t make the same financial commitment to the Democrats that it did to win the Republican convention in 2004. He said that, at the time, New York was still trying to recover from the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and needed a boost, but doesn’t have those problems now.
“Today, the hotels are full, the restaurants are doing well and the conventions don’t bring the kind of economic activity they used to bring,” Bloomberg said. “The city just can’t afford to go on the hook.”
New York has plenty of money and hotel rooms, but top officials have shown a lack of enthusiasm. Bloomberg, who in August flew to a DNC meeting in Chicago to woo convention organizers, has since committed to other ambitious fundraising obligations, including $350 million for the World Trade Center memorial.
It may take a while for Denver to resolve its issues, but unless New York changes its tune, the convention will be in Denver.
Posted by Matt at 9:17 PM 
I think everyone who favors Denver for the convention should send Mr. Bloomberg a big thank-you card if Denver ultimately wins it.
Maybe Bloomberg’s former apparent attempt to get the convention was just because he figured Denver would have it anyway, but New Yorkers might be angry if Bloomberg appeared as though he didn’t want it at all. Then when Denver’s bid started to look bad, the mayor, not wanting New York to hold the convention, started saying negative things about NYCs capability to host the convention lest the convention otherwise be given to New York by default. He doesn’t want the convention in NYC at all, but when Denver’s bid is looking good, Bloomberg can afford to look like he’s trying, just because it’s politically better to do so.