Monday, May 22, 2006

New Orleans, New York in, Las Vegas out?

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

From Democracy in Action’s P2008 Race for the White House,

Denver, Minneapolis, New Orleans and New York City have submitted proposals Continue Reading...

Monday, May 22, 2006

New Orleans and New York are in

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

We have a confirmed Final Four. From New York Newsday:

After submitting a bid to the Democratic Party last week, along with New Orleans, Denver and Minneapolis, New York sent one to the Republicans on Monday. Continue Reading...

Monday, May 22, 2006

Facilities Overview

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

Here is an overview of the facilities that may be proposed by the four cities bidding to host the 2008 Democratic National Convention. There are assumptions and estimates here which will be refined as the process moves forward. (Updated to include St. Paul XCel Center).

• Denver – Pepsi Center – Built 1999 – Cap: 19,000 – Skyboxes: ?? – Adjacent Media Workspace: None – Previous conventions: Dem 1908

• Minneapolis/St, Paul – Previous conventions: GOP 1892
• Target Center – Built 1990, Refurbished 2004 – Cap: 20,000 – Skyboxes: ?? – Adjacent Media Workspace: ??
• St. Paul – XCel Center – Built 2000 – Cap: 18,000 – Skyboxes – 84 – Adjacent Media Workspace – RiverCentre Convention Center, Roy Wilkins Auditorium Complex
• Minneapolis – Metrodome – Built 1982 – Cap: 30,000-40,000 – Skyboxes: 115 – Adjacent media Workspace: ??
• New York- Madison Square Garden – Built 1968, Refurbished ~1995- Cap: 20,000 – Skyboxes: ?? – Adjacent Media Workspace: Farley Post Office?- Previous conventions: Dem ’76, ’80, ’92, GOP ’04
• New Orleans – Superdome – Built 1975, Refurbished 2006 – Cap: 40-50,000 – Skyboxes: ?? – Adjacent Media Workspace: New Orleans Arena – Previous conventions: GOP ’88

Minneapolis is proposing the Metrodome, the Target Center, and/or the XCel Center for the convention. Continue Reading...

Saturday, May 20, 2006

Nagin wins – but did he remember to send in a bid?

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

As I wrote earlier this week, New Orleans mayor Ray Nagin has been in a huge election battle to win re-election, and therefore I would have been suprised if New Orleans got their bid for the 2008 Democratic National Convention summited by the deadline on Friday. And there’s been absolutely no news if New Orleans submitted a bid. Well, now that Nagin has won, he and the city should be able to turn their attention towards towards the convention, and I would think the DNC would extend the deadline given the circumstances.

On the other hand, there are those who think that the Nagin victory will ensure that New Orleans does not get the convention. We shall see. Continue Reading...

Saturday, May 20, 2006

Minneapolis cost considerations

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

The St. Paul Pioneer Press provides some of the cost consderatons that went into Minneapolis’ bid for the 2008 Democratic National Convention:

The application process is extensive and the ramifications of getting a convention involve big money. Backers of the Minnesota bids said a convention here would cost “in excess of $50 million.” By comparison, a report filed with the Federal Election Commission said New York’s 2004 Republican convention cost about $154 million, including $54 million for police and other services. Almost all of the money was raised by private and corporate donations and most of the police services were reimbursed through federal funds. Continue Reading...

Friday, May 19, 2006

Who’s in, who’s out

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

To summarize, Denver and Minneapolis have officially submitted proposals to host the 2008 Democratic National Convention, and Detroit is now out. We’re waiting to hear from Las Vegas, New Orleans and New York.

Posted by Matt at 9:24 AM Continue Reading...

Friday, May 19, 2006

DNC expected to announce final list of cities in next week or two

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

From the AP:

Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak said Democratic leaders are expected to announce a narrowed list of host-city candidates next week. Continue Reading...

Friday, May 19, 2006

Detroit drops out

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

In a suprising development, Detroit announced that they won’t be submitting a bid to host the 2008 Democratic National Convention. From the Detroit Free Press:

The Democrats are out, but the Republicans may still have a future in the city of Detroit, at least for the 2008 political convention season. A city official who spoke on condition of anonymity said Thursday that Detroit won’t make today’s deadline to bid for the Democratic convention. Continue Reading...

Friday, May 19, 2006

Denver submits bid

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

Denver officially submitted its bid for the 2008 Democratic National Convention today. From the Denver Post:

Denver officials submitted a formal bid to attract the 2008 Democratic National Convention on Thursday, while labor leaders vowed to continue to fight the effort unless Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper meets their demands. Continue Reading...