Denver Democratic Convention bid gets major backing

[Oreo]

Cross posted from http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/11/29/102121/32 |Daily Kos>

Denver's bid to host the 2008 Democratic National Convention just got some major backing from several corporations. One of those companies just might surprise you.

Three Fortune 500 companies - citing civic support and not politics - have pledged at least $11.5 million in cash and in-kind contributions for Denver's bid to host the 2008 Democratic National Convention.

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.

The goal is to raise $20 million from the Colorado business community as a part of the $80 million tab for the convention. It would be held at the Pepsi Center in August 2008 and attract an estimated 35,000 attendees to the city.

Denver and New York are finalists for the event.

"Where would you rather be in August?" Farber asked.

A decision by the Democratic National Committee, headed by Howard Dean, is expected by early December. Dean has told the Denver host committee that his biggest fear about the city's bid was its ability to raise money.
http://www.denverpost.com/ci_4736940|Full Article Here>

The surprising donation comes from none other than Coors Brewing company. Everybody's favorite right-wing run bad beer company has promised a contribution toward the convention. By this quote from Coors we may be looking at a free six pack and maybe a couple of koozies.

"We have not decided yet what our involvement will be," said Kabira Hatland, spokeswoman for Coors, the Golden-based subsidiary of Molson Coors Brewing Co.

Originally Denver was thought to be out of the running due to the lack of hotels that had unions. That has now been http://www.denverpost.com/search/ci_4421184|resolved>.

The other excuse for not holding it in Denver was money and hopefully today's news will take care of that. Now it is up to Howard Dean to decide where to hold the convention.

Debbie Willhite, executive director of Denver's host committee, met with Dean in Jackson Hole this weekend during a gathering of the Association of State Democratic Chairs to talk about the decision Dean is expected to make before the end of the year.

Willhite said the November elections could hardly have gone better for Denver's bid, but she said the city will need more money quickly to win the convention.

"The chairman was very straightforward," Willhite said. "He made it clear that his biggest fear as far as our ability to host the convention, is that we can't raise the money."

Dean was "extremely enthusiastic" over Democratic successes in Colorado, such as Bill Ritter's victory in the race for governor, Willhite said. But the bottom line is that national Democrats do not want the distraction of raising money for a convention during the 2008 presidential campaign.

"I think in his heart of hearts, (Dean) wants to have the convention in Denver," Willhite said. "But heart of hearts don't pay the bills."
http://www.denverpost.com/search/ci_4686596|Full Article Here>

The best place I've found to keep track of Convention news is http://demconwatch.blogspot.com|DemConWatch>

You can also get more information from the http://www.denverconvention2008.com/|official Denver Convention Website>

To me Denver is a no-brainer (and yes, as a Denver resident I'm completely biased).

[marmar]

1. Coors? Oh well, money trumps all other allegiances...

And Coors Co. knows Dems like to par-tay! :beer: :toast: :beer: :toast:

[eleny]

2. Having grown up in NYC and now living in the Denver area

Hands down - Denver in August.

[tridim]

3. Denver will get it, I'm 99.9% sure

I can't think of a more perfect city for the Dems. We'll get some protests from Colorado Springs (Focus on the Family), but that's about it.

[DavidDvorkin]

4. Woo hoo!

Maybe I'll actually get to see parts of it, at least from the outside.

And maybe field trips could be arranged for the delegates -- into the mountains, of course, but also down to the Colorado Springs to observe primitive, uncivilized Man in his native habitat.

[MaineDem]

5. Fundraising has been Denver's nemesis

This is just what we need and I hope Howard makes the right announcement at this weekend's DNC Executive Committee meeting.

[xxqqqzme]

6. '..."The chairman was very

straightforward," Willhite said....'



That's Howard Dean.