Speaking of unions, WWL radio is reporting that a Democratic Congressman from Maryland, Elijah Cummings, is proposing holding the 2008 Dem convention in New Orleans, as the same kind of gesture as the GOP going to NYC last year. The radio hosts noted that, though this is an historically Democratic town, only the Reps have ever held a convention here, the “Read My Lips” conclave of 1988. The reason, one of them alleged, was that the Democratic organizers insisted on more rooms in unionized hotels than the city could provide. Continue Reading...

Democrats had considered four cities to host the 2004 Democratic National Convention: Boston, Detroit, Miami, and New York City. On November 13, 2002 they announced that they will hold their convention in Boston, marking the first time a major political party has held its convention in the city. On December 17 officials from the city and the Democratic National Committee signed the contract in a ceremony at FleetCenter.
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The Democrats’ site selection process began in October 2001, when the Democratic National Committee sent out letters to the 34 largest cities inviting them to consider hosting the party’s 2004 convention. The introductory letter outlined Preliminary General Requirements.
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On February 28, 2002, the Democratic National Committee invited 10 cities — Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Houston, Miami, New York City and Pittsburgh — to submit proposals Continue Reading...

A Maryland congressman is urging his fellow Democrats to hold the party’s 2008 presidential nominating convention in New Orleans as a signal of national support for the city after its devastating losses from Hurricane Katrina.
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Democratic members of the Louisiana delegation immediately embraced the idea, although party officials were noncommittal and no mention was made that the convention is scheduled for the heart of the hurricane season and would end one day before the anniversary of the date that Hurricane Katrina made landfall.
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Rep. Bobby Jindal, R-Kenner, said he has already suggested to Republican National Committee Chairman Ken Mehlman that the party hold its 2008 convention in New Orleans. Continue Reading...

I think this is a wise move, but the article leaves out an added crucial reason why this is a smart change. Though both Bush and Kerry turned down federal matching money during the “primary” campaign, both accepted federal money for the “general election.” I put those terms in quotes because they mean very little – the primaries were over long before the technical FEC start of the general election season. Continue Reading...