[New York Senator] Chuck [Schumer] told the News at an editorial board meeting earlier this week that that’s changing, however, and that he’s prepared to do some of the heavy lifting. Continue Reading...

“You’ve got to have a successful convention,” Dean said, “so the nitty-gritty – raising money, transportation, hotels – becomes more important than any political message you might get out of it.” Continue Reading...

Qwest and Comcast have pledged $5 million each, and Xcel Energy $1.5 million, said attorney Steve Farber, co-chairman of Denver’s host committee.
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Dean has told the Denver host committee that his biggest fear about the city’s bid was its ability to raise money. “We’re extremely close to the $20 million, but we’re not stopping,” said Farber, a longtime political fundraiser. “We’re going to raise as much as we can from the greater Colorado business community.”
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Xcel is also contributing $1.5 million to the Republican National Convention, to be held at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minn. Continue Reading...

there are key meetings scheduled next week between the Democratic National Committee and the cities of Denver and New York. Continue Reading...

Key players in the bid to bring the 2008 Democratic National Convention to Denver say they’re close to securing more than $80 million required to host the presidential nominating bash. “We’re closing in on the necessary funds to bring the convention to Denver,” said Steve Farber, an influential Denver attorney and co-chair of the 2008 Denver Host Committee, on Monday. “We’re raising the necessary commitments from Colorado businesses, if the convention should commit to Denver. I’m very confident – without being overconfident.”
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Now, a source familiar with host committee fundraising efforts says it’s ready to show Dean the money. Of the $80 million-plus needed to put on the convention, the federal government will provide roughly one-third required for security; major corporations can be counted on for another third; and the business community in Colorado and other Mountain West states hoping to highlight the region are nearly committed to provide the remaining third. Continue Reading...

Sen. Hillary Clinton, the early front-runner for the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination, is pushing to have her party’s nominating convention held in New York City, the Daily News has learned.
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Clinton’s aides stressed yesterday that the senator’s support for New York’s bid has nothing to do with widespread speculation she may run for President, but rather her role as one of New York’s top cheerleaders. “She’s supportive of any effort that helps continue to bring commerce and economic growth opportunities to the city,” said Jennifer Hanley, a Clinton spokeswoman. Continue Reading...

Co-chair and Denver Realtor Juanita Chacon said the committee hopes to get the final word from Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean by the first week of December. Continue Reading...

The planned $1 billion re-development of Denver’s Union Station took a massive step forward last week as the Regional Transportation District and the city of Denver chose Continuum and East West Partners as lead contractors on the refurbishment of the historic depot and the surrounding 19.5 acres.
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The new Union Station will still be under construction in the summer of 2008, when city officials hope to welcome the Democratic National Convention to the capital. Continue Reading...

Democratic National Committee chairman Howard Dean is touting Western political victories, but that alone will not land Denver the 2008 party convention. Fundraising remains the primary concern for the man who alone will decide whether Democrats nominate their next presidential candidate in Denver or New York City, a Denver official said. Continue Reading...

In the Tucson area, a seat that borders Mexico–held for 22 years by retiring Republican Rep. Jim Kolbe–was captured by a moderate Democrat, former state Sen. Gabrielle Giffords. With an eye toward the West, Democrats are considering staging their next presidential convention in Denver. Continue Reading...