Monday, July 31, 2006

Denver hires Convention Insider for bid – update

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

In a clear sign of the seriousness of Denver’s bid to host the 2008 Democratic Convention, as well as the financial ability to support consultants, Denver has hired a “heavy hitter” to run its bid:

Debbie Willhite will be named executive director this week, the host committee confirmed Wednesday. … Continue Reading...

Sunday, July 30, 2006

Denver hosts ’08 convention (1908 that is)

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

The Rocky Mountain News has a great look at the last time Denver hosted the Democratic National Convention:

A century ago, a smaller, more provincial and isolated city captured the biggest prize of all. Mayor Robert W. Speer was eager to show off the new Municipal Auditorium. With beaming smiles and firm handshakes, he welcomed his fellow Democrats to the grand opening of their convention on July 8, 1908. Continue Reading...

Thursday, July 27, 2006

Charleston Democrat rumor: New York is out

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

I like to print all the rumors I see, but consider the source when deciding whether to believe this one:

DLC member, Phil Noble of Charleston was also impressed with Denver. “Everything you want is walking distance downtown,” he noted. “We all agree back home that the Democrats have get off the East Coast in ‘08.” Then he whispered a secret: “We hear New York is out.” Continue Reading...

Tuesday, July 25, 2006

Denver Pepsi Center

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

Denver is proposing that the 2008 Democratic National Convention take place at Denver’s Pepsi Center.

The Pepsi Center opened in October, 1999, and is home to the NBA’s Denver Nuggets, the NHL’s Colorado Avalanche, and other teams. The bulding seats 18,000-20,000, depending on configuration, and 95 luxury suites. The building totals more than 675,000 square feet of building space, including a separate full-size practice basketball court. Continue Reading...

Tuesday, July 25, 2006

Denver makes pitch to DLC Democrats

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

The DLC was in Denver this weekend for a major meeting, and Colorado Democrats promoting Denver’s bid to host the 2008 Democratic National Convention took full advantage of the opportunity:

“It was really well taken,” Farber said Monday. Denver lawyer Steve Farber, who co-chairs the committee trying to woo the Democrats, hosted about 200 officials at his house Sunday night. He made a point to invite them back on the eve of the 2008 convention. Continue Reading...

Monday, July 24, 2006

Why the Democrats chose the St. Paul Xcel Center

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

Last week the Democrats chose the St. Paul Xcel Center as the best venue for the Minneapolis/St. Paul bid to host the 2008 Democratic National Convention. Here are some details behind the choice:

“There are pros and cons to hosting a convention at any of the three facilities, [Minneapolis spokesman Jeremy] Hanson said. The Xcel Center is the newest of the three and is a state-of-the art facility, but it is located outside Minneapolis and will create logistical difficulties in having to shuttle attendees back and forth. The Target Center is in a prime location, but Hanson said the security perimeters around it would be the most difficult to arrange and several surrounding blocks would need to be closed off. The Metrodome has sheer size, but it is the oldest of the three facilities. Continue Reading...

Saturday, July 22, 2006

Denver thinks it’s the front-runner

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

While some Colorado Democrats were pushing their convention bid at the DLC meeting in Denver, Dan Slater, Vice-Chair of the Denver 2008 Host Committee, was in Washington DC in a late effort to try to get the DNC to give an early caucus date to Colorado. While Nevada got the early caucus date, Slater thinks there is a reason Colorado lost:

One of the reasons we could not gain any traction was a feeling among committee members that the Convention is likely to be awarded to Denver. I heard from a lot of Committee members that they really wanted to see the Convention in Denver in 2008. Only one of the three remaining cities has that groundswell of support and momentum — and that’s Denver. On that front, I think it is safe to say that the Host Committee will be announcing more news of progress in the next week or two. Continue Reading...

Thursday, July 20, 2006

DLC to meet in Denver this weekend

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

The Democratic Leadership Council will be meeting in Denver this weekend:

The Democratic Leadership Council will hold a “national conversation” July 22-24 at the Hyatt Regency Denver. Speakers will include Sens. Hillary Clinton, of New York, and Evan Bayh, of Indiana, and Govs. Janet Napolitano, of Arizona, and Bill Richardson, of New Mexico. All have been mentioned as possible candidates for president. Continue Reading...