Friday, December 29, 2006

Denver making progress with union

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

Denver is making progress in resolving the labor issues that are hampering its bid to host the 2008 Democratic Convention, although the weather is delaying things:

The blizzard that struck Denver Thursday may delay negotiations that are crucial to Denver’s hopes of winning the 2008 Democratic National Convention. Continue Reading...

Wednesday, December 27, 2006

Should Hillary go for the Macy’s walk again?

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

There’s a great comment over at Room Eight on a post on why New York’s political leaders aren’t pushing hard for the convention. The main post is good, covering ground I’ve already discussed, but I love the comment the poster added:

You can see why Hillary might want it here, even if she’s reluctant to cheer too hard for nyc to get it. Remember that night in 1992 when Bill Clinton went to the Garden to make his big appearance, and he, Hillary and young Chelsea walked hand in hand through the closed lower level of Macy’s to get to the Garden. It was a great visual. You think they wouldn’t like to relive that scene fourteen years later? Bill, Hillary and the now grown Chelsea walking hand in hand through Macy’s to the Garden, as Fleetwood Mac plays “don’t stop thinking about tomorrow” Then they arrive across the street from the Garden, Bill and Chelsea kiss Hillary and she leaves them and walks alone into the Garden and onto the stage to accept the nomination. Deja vu all over again. Continue Reading...

Tuesday, December 26, 2006

Denver getting boost from New York’s money issues?

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

Denver is looking to capitalize on New York’s money problems:

Advocates for bringing the 2008 Democratic National Convention to Denver were heartened Monday by persistent news reports that rival New York’s power brokers are souring on that city’s bid. But Denver boosters made it clear they’re keeping their eye on the prize: working nonstop to heal an 11th-hour union rift that could kill the city’s bid before Democratic Party Chairman Howard Dean picks the convention winner next week. Continue Reading...

Monday, December 25, 2006

New York’s money problems

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

According to the New York Daily News, New York officials continue to say they will not be able to raise the money the DNC requires to host the 2008 Democratic Convention:

Mayor Bloomberg made it known last month that he is too busy with other fund-raising, and none of the other likely candidates to lead the bid – Sens. Chuck Schumer and Hillary Clinton, and Governor-elect Eliot Spitzer – has rushed to take the helm. Continue Reading...

Saturday, December 23, 2006

Novak: New York was selected, leaked, and pulled back

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

Now Robert Novak has a history of not always getting things right, but he does have a new and interesting take on last weeks events:

Denver lacks sufficient hotel facilities, a suitable arena and labor union support, not to mention adequate financing. But when New York was leaked as the site, the reaction was so negative that Dean delayed a decision. Party members complained that it would be the fourth out of the last nine Democratic conventions scheduled for New York. Backers of Hillary Clinton don’t want her nominated in her place of residence. George H.W. Bush and John Kerry lost elections when nominated in their respective hometowns of Houston and Boston. Continue Reading...

Friday, December 22, 2006

Looking back at 1988

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

Kerri Rebresh over at Colorado Confidential has a look back at the site selection for the 1988 Democratic Convention. After the GOP chose New Orleans, Houston and Atlanta were the final two, and the DNC chose Atlanta for political reasons not unlike the arguments for Denver in 2008.

For more on the 2004 site selection, see my post here, and Democracy in Action’s overview here. Continue Reading...

Thursday, December 21, 2006

Does the delay help either side?

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

Does the delay in the announcement of the host of the 2008 Democratic Convention help either city? Most reports think the delay works to Denver’s advantage:

Denver was granted critical time to settle an 11th hour labor beef that could sink its 2008 Democratic National Convention bid when Democratic Party Chairman Howard Dean announced today that he’ll delay picking whether Denver or New York City host the event until after New Years.
…
While some state party officials saw Dean’s deadline reprieve on the decision that was expected to be made this week as an early Christmas present for Denver, DNC officials weren’t commenting further. Continue Reading...

Wednesday, December 20, 2006

Decision delayed until January

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

The DNC announced they would delay their decision on a site for the 2008 Democratic National Convention until January:

“Because of the holiday week and at the request of both cities, we will announce the convention city in early January,” spokeswoman Stacie Paxton said. Continue Reading...

Tuesday, December 19, 2006

Willhite: This could be a deal breaker for Denver

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

This does not sound good for Denver’s bid:

Denver’s bid to host the 2008 Democratic National Convention hit a serious snag Monday after a union leader refused to sign a no-strike pledge, with a decision due anytime. Continue Reading...