Monday, August 21, 2006

Is Denver’s union issue really an issue?

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

I’ve been tracking the Denver union issue here, here and here, but, to be honest, it’s really hard to judge whether this will be a significant problem for Denver’s bid to host the 2008 Democratic National Convention. In recent history, the Democrats have never held their convention in a non-union city before – it’s a main reason the Democrats have never held their convention in New Orleans. However, Dean’s 50-state strategy clearly calls for Democrats to go into and contest areas that aren’t traditionally Democratic, and if Dean wants the convention in the Mountain West in order to make an impact in that area, by definition he’s going to have to hold the convention in a city whose hotels are, in general, not unionized.

If there are any readers out there who feel that they have a good insight into this issue, please comment on whether you think the lack of union hotels is or is not a significant problem for Denver’s bid. Continue Reading...

Sunday, August 20, 2006

Money now becomes the issue – or does it?

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

The site visits are over, the receptions are over. None of the three finalists have any show-stoppers when it comes to facilities, and two of the cities have a great political advantage – they’re not New York. The Denver Post headlines an article today saying money is the issue; but reading more closely, the picture is less clear:

The three cities vying to host the 2008 Democratic National Convention will have to show fundraising commitments as the national officials look to narrow their choice to two next month. Denver, Minneapolis-St. Paul and New York have proved they can meet the basic logistical needs to host more than 30,000 delegates when they nominate the party’s next presidential candidate. But whichever city is chosen will have to raise tens of millions of dollars. Continue Reading...

Sunday, August 20, 2006

Minnesota thows a party

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

St. Paul/Minneapolis hosted their reception Friday night at the DNC meeting in Chicago:

Maybe the wild rice was out of season, or the lutefisk would have been too confusing for fish lovers. But the end result was that there wasn’t much that felt very Minnesotan at a party thrown Friday evening for members of the Democratic National Committee gathered in Chicago. Still, the drinks were free and they were flowing generously on the second floor lobby of the Hilton Chicago. Continue Reading...

Sunday, August 20, 2006

Denver throws a party

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

Well, at least a breakfast. Dan Slater from Denver’s Host Committee likes what his city did:

The day began with a nice breakfast for the DNC members sponsored by the Denver 2008 Host Committee. Chair Pat Waak, Denver 2008 E.D. Debbie Willhite, Councilwoman Elbra Wedgeworth, and Mayor John Hickenlooper all addressed the group. Members enjoyed Denver Omelettes, Bloody Marys and “Mile-High Mimosas”, as well as more traditional breakfast favorites, all to a John Denver soundtrack. I was a bit worried that the DNC Members might be disappointed in the lack of “flash” in the breakfast that was found in the New York and Minneapolis events the previous couple of nights. However, I spoke with many, and heard that they really appreciated the lower-key, more relaxed feel of the Denver event. Continue Reading...

Saturday, August 19, 2006

DNC to annouce two finalists next month

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

According to a well-placed source, the DNC has told the bid committees that they will announce two finalists next month, and then enter into even more serious negotiations with each city.

This can only mean one thing: this will soon be a two city race to host the convention, and the two cities will be Denver and St. Paul. Continue Reading...

Friday, August 18, 2006

New York throws a party

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

Three reports on New York’s reception at the summer meeting of the DNC to promote its bid to host the 2008 Democratic National Convention. From the NY Times:

There were the themed drinks: Manhattans and electric-green Big Apple martinis. There was a celebrity: Lorraine Bracco, bringing a whiff of glamour in a slim white suit. And there were the cheesy one-liners from Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, who had orchestrated a reception here for delegates at a Democratic Party
…
“I haven’t been in the company of such a large group of passionate, dedicated Democrats since I was one,” he added, to laughter, good-natured grumbling and cries of “Come back” and “Welcome home.” Continue Reading...

Friday, August 18, 2006

Democrats moving up decision time-table?

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

For those who didn’t see it in the updated post below, from the Times today:

A decision from the Democrats could come next month, officials said. Continue Reading...

Thursday, August 17, 2006

Convention receptions at DNC meeting in Chicago

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

The DNC is holding their summer meeting in Chicago this weekend, and each of the cities are hosting receptions:

New York: This evening (Thursday)
Minneapolis/St. Paul: Tomorrow evening
Denver: Saturday morning Continue Reading...

Wednesday, August 16, 2006

Rocky Mountain News compares the 3 cities

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

The Rocky Mountain News has a brief comparison of the 3 cities that are vying to host the 2008 Democratic National Convention:

The Mile High City is banking on the growing awareness of the Mountain West’s election-swinging clout. Twin Cities boosters say the anointed 2008 running mates would have the perfect location to launch the campaign in Minneapolis-St. Paul, pushing off on a riverboat down the Mississippi River to “campaign through the heartland of America.” And New Yorkers say that the time-tested Big Apple has hosted more political conventions than any of the competitors and is confident it can handle both party conventions in ’08. Continue Reading...