Wednesday, April 19, 2006

Phoenix not serious about 2008

WE’VE MOVED! Democratic Convention Watch is now at http://www.DemocraticConventionWatch.com

Looks like Phoenix is really looking towards 2012, and just requested the 2008 Democratic Convention RFP for information purposes only. Scott Phelps of the Office of the Mayor in Phoenix stated in a March 2006 e-mail:

“I think 2012 is more in line with our plans.” He added, “I think we almost always ask for RFPs like this. We are the 5th largest city in the country, after all. Even when you are not proposing, seeing what the expectations are, what the requirements are, help you make a thoughtful proposal when you’re ready — as I believe we will be in 2012.” Continue Reading...

Wednesday, April 19, 2006

Orlando reminds us about the steep hill

WE’VE MOVED! Democratic Convention Watch is now at http://www.DemocraticConventionWatch.com

Following up on last week’s post about Orlando being very worried about the costs of hosting the 2008 Democratic Convention, comes this quote, from Democracy in Action 2008, from Heather Allebaugh, Constituent Correspondent, City of Orlando, Office of the Mayor:

“At this time both City and County staff are reviewing the bids. Based on the due diligence done to this point, it looks like the hill might be a little steeper than anticipated. We are still analyzing various components of the bid and expect to come to a decision soon.” Continue Reading...

Friday, April 14, 2006

Orlando very worried about costs

WE’VE MOVED! Democratic Convention Watch is now at http://www.DemocraticConventionWatch.com

News has come out which is sure to put a damper on Orlando’s reception at the DNC Spring meeting in New Orleans next week. The Orlando Sentinel reported today that Orlando may pull their bid due to the high costs of hosting the 2008 Democratic Convention. Some key details from the article:

The cost of hosting a national political convention in 2008 is so astronomical that Orange County Mayor Rich Crotty and Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer may pass on the chance, officials said Wednesday. The mayors learned Wednesday that their already high estimates of about $78 million to put on a four-day convention weren’t nearly high enough. The total could actually well surpass $100 million. Continue Reading...

Wednesday, April 12, 2006

More on 2004 public financing and 2008 date

WE’VE MOVED! Democratic Convention Watch is now at http://www.DemocraticConventionWatch.com

Via Howard Kurtz, Eric Boehlert wrote more on Kerry’s potential delaying his official acceptance so he could delay receiving his public money for the general election in 2004. While the theme of his article is focused on whether Kerry should have considered this even more seriously than he did, I will focus on the end of the article:

They [the media] all lectured Kerry about accepting the nomination in July and about playing by the existing campaign rules. But when the Swifties tore up the campaign rules, most journalists stood quietly by. Continue Reading...

Sunday, April 09, 2006

General election public funding in 2008

WE’VE MOVED! Democratic Convention Watch is now at http://www.DemocraticConventionWatch.com

The issue of public funding of the general election is closely tied to the scheduling of conventions, since the money does not become available until after the convention. As I’ve discussed here, here, and here, the relationship between convention dates and public financing and has changed drastically over the last 10 years, and I think it is changing again.

To review, it used to be there were advantages in having an earlier convention due to money. For a candidate taking public money for the primaries and the general election, they wouldn’t get the general election money until after the convention. For example, Bob Dole in 1996 had a huge money problem in May and June. He was broke, and could do little advertising until he received his general election money in early August. Having an early convention was critical to a candidate low on funds. Continue Reading...