Monthly Archives: November 2006

Democratic Convention Watch: Schumer to push for New York

Thursday, November 30, 2006

Schumer to push for New York

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

Finally, a little life from the New York side. New York’s Democratic politicians have been mostly quiet about New York’s bid to host the 2008 Democratic Convention. Not any more:

[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...

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Democratic Convention Watch: DNC changes tune on convention site criteria

Wednesday, November 29, 2006

DNC changes tune on convention site criteria

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

A few weeks ago, DNC Chairman Howard Dean made it clear what criteria was most important in choosing the site of the 2008 Democratic National Convention:

“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...

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Democratic Convention Watch: Denver gets major pledges

Wednesday, November 29, 2006

Denver gets major pledges

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

Denver’s bid to host the 2008 Democratic Convention received another boost today when it announced that it had received pledges of $11.5 million in cash and in-kind contributions:

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.

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.”

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...

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Democratic Convention Watch: Denver’s Willhite: 90% chance of winning the convention

Friday, November 24, 2006

Denver’s Willhite: 90% chance of winning the convention

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

Denver host committee Executive Director Debbie Willhite said “she believes Denver has a 90 percent chance of landing the convention.” Willhite also said:

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

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Democratic Convention Watch: Denver says they have $80 million – update

Friday, November 24, 2006

Denver says they have $80 million – update

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

Well, a couple of days after Chairman Dean says money is Denver’s biggest obstacle to hosting the 2008 Democratic Convention, Denver says they have the money:

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.”

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...

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Democratic Convention Watch: Clinton pushing for New York

Wednesday, November 22, 2006

Clinton pushing for New York

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

Hillary Clinton is pushing for a New York convention:

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.

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...

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Democratic Convention Watch: Decision expected early December?

Tuesday, November 21, 2006

Decision expected early December?

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

Denver thinks a decision will be made in early December:

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...

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Democratic Convention Watch: Don’t take the train to Denver

Monday, November 20, 2006

Don’t take the train to Denver

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

If Denver gets awarded the 2008 Democratic Convention, taking the train there will not be your best bet:

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.

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...

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Democratic Convention Watch: Dean: Money is Denver’s biggest obstacle

Sunday, November 19, 2006

Dean: Money is Denver’s biggest obstacle

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

Last month I noted that Mayor Bloomberg was very concerned about New York’s ability to raise enough money to host the 2008 Democratic National Convention. Well, DNC Chairman Howard Dean has the same concerns about Denver, as Denver Post reporter George Merritt writes in another excellent article:

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...

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Democratic Convention Watch: US News: Never mind

Wednesday, November 15, 2006

US News: Never mind

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

As I expected, US News has revised their original article, and it now says:

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...

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