Your choice city for the 2012 Democratic Convention?

[saltpoint]

Poll question: Your choice city for the 2012 Democratic Convention?

[livetohike]

1. I picked Houston. It's time to shake up the GOP in TX

and work on a strong Dem. coalition there :-).

[saltpoint]

8. Houston's pretty toasty around that time of year, but I agree with

you that it would be useful to land the ship on Texas shores.

[livetohike]

12. I lived in Houston from 1980-1982

I still remember how hot and humid the summers were. I never felt anything like that before (or since). Met the nicest people there too and am still very good friends with a few of them :-).

[saltpoint]

39. It's an impressive town. A good deal of Democrats there, too.

I could see it. Hurricanes might be an issue. For some reason that time of year, Houston can get some pretty squirrely weather.

It just seems that a Democratic convention in some of these red-state cities would be an impressive foothold for both the national party's profile and for local Democratic candidates.

[Lisa0825]

74. Hell yeah!!! Texas is turning BLUE!

Having the convention here would give us a boost!

[Tx4obama]

89. Yes, Texas IS Turning Blue !!!

Houston, Austin, Dallas, El Paso, San Antonio and many other cities voted for Obama in 2008!
Houston would be perfect - and we have tons of hotels here.
Sure, it gets a bit hot here but we have AIR CONDITIONING in all of our hotels, restaurants, and cars :)

[4lbs]

155. I agree on the state, and trying to turn Texas blue. However, I chose "Other" and state Dallas.

Dallas is Texas' most high-profile city.

When you ask people to name a city in Texas, the majority will respond with Dallas.

[autorank]

2. NYC 2012, 2016, 2020, 2024, etc. ;)

k*r

[BobRossi]

3. Detroit.

For a dose of reality.

[saltpoint]

6. I think Detroit would be a great choice.

For Democratic delegates, it would be a vivid reminder that social initiatives across many decades have largely benn Democratic initiatives. Real people live in cities like Detroit and New Orleans and deserve the boost a convention could bring -- ideologically, practically, and of course politically.

Good choice.

[shugah]

16. Detroit

best possible choice

[Alexander]

44. Agreed. Detroit is the best choice.

[AngryOldDem]

66. Excellent choice.

It would make one hell of a statement, and God knows the GOP wouldn't dare set foot there.

[noamnety]

79. Yes. Detroit. (nt)

[WI_DEM]

110. I agree because it would bring some well needed economic help to the city.

[billyoc]

4. N.O. Move the Capital to Detroit.

[saltpoint]

11. Moving the capital to Detroit would be more than a weekend project,

although capitals CAN be moved.

I like the city, so I'm not opposed.

It's just that there might be logistical impediments.

[ruggerson]

5. Miami

[saltpoint]

10. Miami would be effective. That's cute little Jeb Bush's political base, and

we could inhabit the city, affirm its cosmopolitan zing, and come out of there recharged and ready.

[ruggerson]

13. make a real fight for the cuban vote

secure FL for the general and make it nearly impossible for the Republicans to map a strategy to 270.

[saltpoint]

21. ruggerson, you're right -- it would be white-knuckled, hard-ball

politics, with the strong possibility of real dividends.

It would be great to diminish the Republican profile in Florida.

[backscatter712]

7. Let's have it in Denver again!

Of course, I may be slightly biased, seeing that I live in Colorado... :evilgrin:

[bluestateguy]

9. I'm for Detroit

but if we must choose from that list, I'll go with St. Louis.

[S_E_Fudd]

14. Minneapolis...how about rewarding the only state to go Democratic...

In every Presidential election since 1976

[saltpoint]

20. There are a lot of Democrats up that way, it's a beautiful city,

and it would piss off Tim Pawlenty.

[Peacetrain]

24. Minneapolis for sure!!!.. It is a great city

[WI_DEM]

111. Yep since 1960 it only went GOP once--in the Nixon landslide and then only barely

McGovern had one of his best showings in MN getting 47% of the vote, running almost ten points above his national average.

[frazzled]

15. Chicago

It's inevitable

[mopinko]

80. i think i am vaguely insulted

what do you mean by that? we would love to have it, but since we had it in '96, probably it will go somewhere else.

[Botany]

17. Athens, OH

[saltpoint]

19. One of the most beautiful cities / areas in the United States.

But we'd need a boatload of hotel rooms.

[Botany]

26. Tents?

[saltpoint]

27. That's it. they could put up several thousand tents out at Burr Oak State

Park.

Each night they could build campfires and have s'mores!

Hell, I'd have a s'more with Barbara Boxer and Russ Feingold, wouldn't you?

[Botany]

36. not only Burr Oak but at Stroud's Run, Lake Hope, and Peach Ridge Rd. too

and then we all meet @ the Casa for breakfast ..... the convention could be in the Convo and the
people wouldn't have to be there in person but follow it and vote via Wifi.


I would spend time w/ Al Franken, Sen. Jennifer Brunner (by then Sen.), and Stephanie MIller.

[saltpoint]

38. You sure know how to pick good company for a Democratic tent convention.

I'm still not sure you're going to convince the Party that puptents is the way to go.

[Botany]

42. Wall tents are o.k. and if we do it between quarters than people can stay in ...

.... dorms and rent out rooms in people's houses.

Beats the hell out of Cookie Roberts & George Fuckhead Will

[saltpoint]

43. LOL. Now those two young ladies in the picture there. Are they

members of the platform committee?

[we can do it]

125. mmmmmmm Casa

[ccharles000]

18. Charlotte,NC

[saltpoint]

29. Hi, ccharles. Yes -- I was thinking about North Carolina and put

Raleigh-Durham in the poll, but it sounds like you think Charlotte would be the better NC choice.

I love the idea of a North Carolina convention, in any case.

[jberryhill]

69. Ooohhh... that would be good...

Winning North Carolina was one of the great stories of the election.

[tledford]

114. Why not here in the good old 'burger, ccharles?

Can't be any more than the 80,000 or so who show up for the furniture market. (That's Greensboro for the non-locals.)

[GreenInNC]

116. raleigh durham would be good

Close enough to me that I could drive but far enough away so I wouldn't have to deal with the mess.

[MadBadger]

22. St. Louis

[saltpoint]

25. St. Louis works for me. Arches soaring skyward, steamboats chugging

into port, nifty double-plays in the Cardinals' infield.

And it's smack-dab in the middle of the map in Missouri.

[MadBadger]

28. Missouri was an extremely close state that just stayed red.

It would be my first choice followed by Indianapolis and Charlotte

[saltpoint]

33. Taking the convention into states where we've had to fight for traction

appeals to me.

You list three cities where that would definitely be the case, and IMO that would be a very good way to go.

I love New York in and of itself, but Howard Dean's 50-state strategy seems to be more resonant if we actually become a strong, viable, and consistent presence in these tough-to-win places.

Indianapolis. Excellent choice.

[Telly Savalas]

52. Missouri would be the logical state to put it in for the reasons you cite

but the BBQ is considerably better in Kansas City making it a more ideal choice.

[saltpoint]

53. I'm fine with St. Louis but I see your point on BBQ.

[PBS Poll-435]

23. Dallas-Ft. Worth, TX

[kjackson227]

109. ITA! I know Dallas County is progressive, and I would assume Tarrant is also.

[depakid]

30. People picking Texas must have death wishes

Depending on how local economies are- a city in Ohio, Pennsylvania or Michigan would make sense.

[saltpoint]

35. I hear ya, depakid, but at the same time, there are some great

Democrats in Texas and some true progressives.

It's tempting to me to hang out with those kinds of folks, no matter where they are.

My hunch is that your suggestion of a post-industrial state could come true.

[depakid]

40. Hey, Jim Hightower and people like him deserve tons of respect

Trouble is- the prevalence of folks *not like that* virtually guarantees a nightmare.

[saltpoint]

41. The risk is there, agree. We'd want the benefit of lifting local and

state Democrats and progressive without the negative energy of the "not like Jim Hightower" demographic.

Point taken.

Good to see you and hope you're doing well.

[Hawaii Hiker]

47. If I remember correctly, Obama handily won the Dallas, Houston, San Antonio,

El Paso, & Austin areas in 2008....

Of course, he got walloped in the rural "Texas Chainsaw Masscare" areas of Texas & thus lost the state by about 10%...

Could you imagine the fear in the Republicans if Texas were to become a competitive state for Democrats...

[saltpoint]

48. If we could compete for Texas in 2012, the howls of elation you'd

be hearing would be coming from my house.

That would be a sweet, sweet thing.

[depakid]

59. If I remeber correctly- the state goverrnment has still been going on a fundy craze

at almost every level.

Iran- not quite- but sort of.

Is that what we want to showcase?

[Paladin]

124. Give The Texas-Bashing A Rest.

"Iran-not quite-but sort of." Thanks for that constructive little word cluster.

Over 3.5 million Texans voted for Obama. Irreversible population trends are turning the state blue---it would be nice to have the Democratic Party rank-and-file fully supporting this movement, rather than just making shitty comments. And some backing from the party establishment, like a convention in a Texas city, would be an invaluable boost to the positive direction the state is headed....

[Hawaii Hiker]

31. Phoenix - I think Obama can win AZ. in 2012

Only reason he lost it in 2008 was because it was McCain's home state...

It will be interesting to see the electoral vote changes after the 2010 census...I bet Arizona gets 2-3 more EV because of their population growth....I hope California gets 1-2 more votes to, :woohoo:

[saltpoint]

37. That would be great. An Obama win in Arizona in 2012 would

be terrific.

Phoenix has the hotel space, and it would be a great battle to win a red state.

Jon Kyle would spend the entire week swallowing tranquilizers.

[Alexander]

51. I don't know about that. There are a lot of stupid and racist people in AZ.

And the state's Democratic Party is quite a mess. We'd be lucky to win any statewide races in 2010 here, let alone 2012.

Obama might give the Republican a run for his money in 2012, but I'm not so sure he'd win the state.

[Dr.Phool]

32. Baghdad.

I've heard it's a booming tourist attraction, and very safe. Start showing the colonies some love.

[saltpoint]

34. Alexander's capital.

I'm hearing it's a bit worse the wear for that occupation thingy that Bush engineered.

[Posteritatis]

45. Throw a dart at a giant map

I'm amused by the idea of a national convention winding up as an open-air event in a big field somewhere.

[DRoseDARs]

46. Wasilla, Alaska.

Come on, you know it's perfect... :)

[Jennicut]

49. HA! Where would it be..at the local skating rink/sports complex Sarah Palin had built?

LOL.

[saltpoint]

50. In their free hours, delegates could hop aboard the Meth Trolley, a

tour of the numerous local meth labs, or sign on for arial wolf slaughters.

Hard to beat a combo option like that.

[LiberalFighter]

54. How about where the Republicans should hold their convention?

Iraq

[saltpoint]

56. Thankfully, most of us are not really qualified to make that call since we

don't think like Republicans.

In a way, it doesn't much matter where they hold their nominating convention since they really don't have anyone worth nominating.

[Jim Lane]

97. Mombasa, to highlight the birth certificate issue.

Anyone who opposes this idea is a RINO who must be driven from the party! The Republicans can win easily if they run a true conservative in 2012!

I'd like to learn the skill of projective telepathy so that I can instill these thoughts in Republican minds heads before they pick their site.

[Speck Tater]

55. Detroit, Flint, or some other town devestated by politics as usual.

Some place outside the beltway bubble where the candidates and delegates can get a taste of reality.

[saltpoint]

57. I think a lot of folks in this thread could definitely see Detroit.

Flint would be a good choice but I wonder if the infrastructure of restaurants and motels etc. would be in place in Flint. Detroit's a big town. Flint is smaller.

Holding a convention by a major political party in Detroit or another hard-hit city would have the effect of reminding all delegates and candidates etc. that parties must serve, that they must be public servants, and that many citizens suffer and could use some honest help.

A political party seen as willing and able to provide that help is a party that deserves support.

[ColesCountyDem]

58. St. Louis

We came this close to winning Missouri last November. Having our convention in St. Louis would give us tremendous free press coverage in the Missouri media, and that could spell the difference between winning and losing the state's electoral voter in November 2012.

[proud2BlibKansan]

119. Agreed

Plus I could drive there. :)

[Fearless]

60. How about Salt Lake City.

:evilgrin:

[saltpoint]

72. Interesting choice. The state is what -- 60 or 70% Mormon? -- and they'd

have to struggle with taking Democratic dollars at their hotels and restaurants.

[Fearless]

87. Indeed... plus, living in MA, I throughly enjoy pissing off Mittens.

:evilgrin:


Could organize a procession of same sex couples and same sex "couples" to wander around the city showing affection for each other. (RE, that idiotic arrest a month ago or so.)

:rofl:

Could send Dems door to door and see how much THEY like it.

:rofl:

But most of all, we could thank our most ardent of supporters who could never you mind visit the city, but actually LIVE there. They are the true heroes.

:patriot:

[Bluenorthwest]

105. tell you what, the DNC does not support the equality of the

GLBT couples you expect to get arrested to make a point for the DNC. Not going to happen. When that arrest happened, the President said nothing. When a gay bar in Texas was violently raided, sending citizens to the hospital from police beatings, the President said nothing, the Party said nothing. So it really amazes me when people assume that we'd be willing to go put everything on the line for Tim Kaine's Party. Kaine opposes even civil unions for GLBT people. He is against our rights, the head of the party you think couples would be arrested for? Why? Who would do that? What would be the point?

[Fearless]

130. Because they don't support us we shouldn't try?

Sorry, I can't follow the logic.

[xxqqqzme]

132. SLC should be a high on the list consideration.

[PassingFair]

61. New Orleans. Send a message that wrongs WILL be righted.

NOLA can use the tourism boost, and the
Dems would be welcomed as conquering heroes.

[Iwillnevergiveup]

62. Anywhere in the Midwest (except Chicago)

Detroit, St. Louis, Cincinnati ..... where things have been very rough. Or New Orleans. Would be great to hold it in a city that's never hosted before.

[ChipperbackDemocrat]

63. Democrats at the Qwest Center -- Omaha 2012

Defy the GOP in one of the its last bulwarks. Spit in their eye openly where they live, and where you beat them 2008.

Continue the progress.

Democratic National Convention 2012: Omaha, Nebraska.

[camera obscura]

64. I think it will be Houston. Kaine has singled out Texas several times

as a state that he sees the GOP losing ground in. If he stays head of the DNC then we can assume that's what Obama's team sees as a swing state as well.

[saltpoint]

76. I'd be willing to get behind that plan. Kaine is smart and tough

both, and able to persuade.

A run for Texas? I'm in.

[SoxFan]

65. Reality check

Some of these choices aren't realistic:

Honolulu (too expensive for many delegates)
Cincinnati (not enough hotel space, lack of a viable arena)
Raliegh (not enough hotel space)

New Orleans and St. Louis make the most sense. Both are in states that are winnable, and both towns have a good convention hall (the Superdome/NO Arena complex and the Edward Jones Dome).

I'd like to see San Antonio make a bid. They were in the running for the '92 and '96 conventions, have lots of hotel rooms, two large venues, and is a thriving Latino cultural center.

[saltpoint]

75. Good points. I know that hotel space is a big issue, but didn't know

how each city broke down statistically.

San Antonio? I think that's a very good choice. Deep in the heart of Texas, no question.

[dsc]

81. Raleigh has a brand new convention center

and between Raleigh and Durham we would have plenty of hotel rooms. Add in Chapel Hill as needed.

[SoxFan]

82. No, you don't have the hotel rooms

A national party convention requires an ungodly amount of high-end hotel rooms. It's not just the delegates, it's the major donors. They aren't going to stay at the Super 8 out by the airport.

Let's put this in perspective. Boston, which is much larger than Raleigh, had a hard time convincing the DNC that it had adequate hotel space when it bid on the 1996 and 2000 conventions. Atlanta had major problems with hotel space in 1988. Unless Raleigh builds 500 room Hyatts, Hiltons, Sheratons, and Westins, it won't have the infrastructure.

[dsc]

84. We have three major universities and the hotel rooms needed for those

while they may not be super high end ones, they are decent ones. I think the message would be worth it. Besides, I am 7 miles from the convention center.

[anonymous171]

127. What? Obama has absolutely no chance of winning Louisiana.

That state was actually more red in 2008 than it was in 2004.

[Hippo_Tron]

134. As a New Orleanian, unless it's an early convention it's a bad idea

Having a convention in New Orleans during August means the possibility of having to evacuate everybody during a hurricane and that would be a disaster. If you have it in July it's a different story. But considering the fact that our party is now in power and thus we get to go second, our convention will probably not be in July.

[AngryOldDem]

67. Indianapolis

To celebrate the state going blue in 2008, and to give the fundies in the boondocks somethin' to talk about.

[IndianaGreen]

138. No way!

I don't want all those idiots from Secret Service making a mess of driving downtown and blocking cell phone communications. I don't know about you, but it is hard enough to get around downtown and find a parking space without adding the problems of a national political convention from either major party.

[Awsi Dooger]

68. Miami, so I can sneak in

It's also good strategery, since Florida severely drifted in 2008. Obama carried the national popular vote by about 7.3% but his margin in Florida was only 2.8%. It was one of the overlooked stories of 2008, that 4.5% red partisan index tilt in Florida. Previously Florida was basically even with the nation in 2000 and about 2 points red in 2004. Granted, Obama was not particularly strong in Florida, to the point some of his primary supporters pessimistically didn't think he could carry the state in November.

If we could get Florida back to the +2 red range in terms of the partisan index (state relationship to national vote), Obama would become nearly invulnerable for 2012.

[quiller4]

70. Seattle is my choice-a site where comvention goers could actually

be comfortable. The record heat this year is an anomoly. Convention goers could expect sun and 75-80 degree weather and relax in a very blue state with a view of a blue Puget Sound

[saltpoint]

73. Ron Reagan Jr. is out that way, too, isn't he? He could be asked to

address the convention on the subject of stem cell research.

[MrSlayer]

71. Philly.

I could make a ton of money if it were held here.

[TayTay]

77. Do these cities have the hotel capacity to host a convention?

That is one of the key considerations. You need an awful lot of hotel rooms available to host a big convention with all the hangers-on and media at attend these.

[SoxFan]

83. That's what a lot of people are missing

Raleigh doesn't have the rooms, and I am not sure about St. Louis, which is an otherwise good site. Remember, Atlanta had huge problems with hotel space, with some delegations being housed at mid-range hotels 15 miles from downtown. Both Boston and Denver had to wait until several hotel construction projects were completed before the DNC site selection committee gave them the time of day.

New Orleans and San Antonio have a lot of high end downtown hotel space, which is a huge plus.

[hileeopnyn8d]

156. It looks like New Orleans, San Antonio and St. Louis

all claim roughly the same number of hotel rooms.

From their CVB pages:

The San Antonio area is home to more than 35,000 hotel rooms —about 12,500 located downtown—offering everything from headquarter hotels to world-class destination resorts.



New Orleans offers an abundance of choices no matter which part of the city in which you choose to stay. There are more than 38,000 hotel rooms in New Orleans that range from quaint bed and breakfasts to elegantly appointed high-rises. The Central Business District, Convention Center/Warehouse/Arts District, French Quarter, Garden District, Jefferson Parish, Mid-City, New Orleans East and the Westbank all offer unique benefits.

There are nearly 8,000 rooms within a mile of the America's Center convention complex and more than 36,000 hotel rooms area-wide. St. Louis' hotel building boom continues, with more than 4,800 new and renovated downtown hotel rooms, and more than two dozen properties offering at least 10,000 square feet of meeting space.


I've been to all three of them in August, none of them are exactly pleasant at that time of year.

[ruggerson]

85. Miami does

n/t

[saltpoint]

98. Some do and some don't. Hi, Tay. New York City is always a

contender for Dem conventions because the planners don't have to sweat hotel space.

Plus, it's laid out on a grid so people can get to and fro easily.

And the media are already in town.

Cincinnati would be far more problematic. People who LIVE in Cincinnati have a hard time getting around. Traffic bottlenecks near the river and it can be a real trial.

I tossed in smaller-market towns because there was a political impact to be weighted. Cincinnati has a lot of Democratic voters but the Congressional districts thereabouts send people like Mean Jean Schmidt and John Boehner to Washington. Yuck.

I guess I'd favor a city with enough hotel space for delegates, attendant staff, and accompanying media and which asserts our brand over the red brand.

[boomerbust]

78. It will be

CHICAGO

[BluegrassDem]

86. The city chosen will be a city in a swing state...PERIOD

You gotta remember that Plouffe and Axelrod are not idiots. They will be running the show come 2012 and they are political strategists. Every decision they make is for political efficiency.

The city will be either Charlotte, St. Louis, Phoenix, Tampa, or Indianapolis. There's no way they'll put the convention in a blue state or a deep red state. It'll be a swing state.

[saltpoint]

94. It makes sense. One of the many things I like about the Obama group is

that they are very competitive folks and really seem to relish taking the fight to the GOP.

They're effective political strategists and a swing-state venue for Obama's renomination makes perfect sense.

[Hippo_Tron]

135. Plouffe may not be running the campaign in 2012

And while Axelrod will be calling a lot of the shots from behind the scenes, he works at the White House now and a lot of the campaign decisions will be made by people who work on the campaign full time.

[Bullet1987]

88. I say Charlotte, North Carolina

Let's win NC again and make a rethug comeback nearly impossible.

[boppers]

90. Portland, OR

Holding it in these red-state nightmares makes for bad press.

[SoxFan]

107. Disagree

I think the risk is worse in a place like Portland or Seattle, which could be painted as a hotbed of flaky crunchberry liberals.

Look at the two worst PR debacles in modern times: the 1984 Dem convention in San Francisco and the 1992 GOP convention in Houston. Both gatherings lent themselves to caricature. San Francisco could be painted as a land of cross-dressers and aging hippies, while Houston is a hotbed of oil barons and religious fundamentalists.

[cascadiance]

112. Anywhere you go there will be "caricatures" that the other side uses...

With Portland, I think the biggest concern would be that its size wouldn't be large enough to accommodate all of the attendees, security, etc., though with adequate preparation time perhaps. Portland already has a very good public transit system, and perhaps with added dollars could be expanded to make it an even better model for cities of mass transit, etc. in the face of building new green economies. This documentary already calls attention to Portland's efforts to be at the forefront of being a "green city"...

http://www.passionforsustainability.com/

I think whatever city is chosen, it should have a *model* deployment of mass transit and other "green" technology and city planning in more advanced stages, so that the attendees can get a vision of what America's future needs to be like and where the Democrats would like to help take them in that direction. Climate change will be a more pivotal issue in that year I think, hopefully with us having already dealt with things like health care and some others by that time.

But the more the Obama administration pursues a "bipartisan" approach and the left gets more ready to jump to someone third party like Bernie Sanders, then perhaps a location like Portland would be seen more as a positive to the base that might be looking to jump to an independent like Sanders than it would be alienating those from the "center" (if indeed there is much of a center that are people constituents, and not corporate people constituents). Going some place viewed as more "swing state" might be viewed by some of the "base" as more reasons that they are being taken for granted still and solidify support for a third party like Sanders then.

[cascadiance]

123. Portland ranked #1 for sustainability, Seattle #3. Northwest should be choice for climate change...

... if that is the biggest issue come 2012. Between those two cities up there, you'd have models of the way the rest of America should be in the future.

http://www.sustainlane.com/us-city-rankings/overall-rankings

I'd put Detroit up there too, if we can find a way to help turn it around in a few years and be a similar model of what can be done if we put our minds to it. If Detroit is still failing then, much as I'd like to help giving it a shot in the arm somehow, unless the Republicans are hugely to blame to blocking every attempt to help fix that city up, it might be more of a symbol of how we haven't been able to fix things then. If we were the party out of power, I'd definitely put Detroit up to the top of the list.

[cascadiance]

91. Maybe in Honolulu, Hawaii so that Obama could take some time to show where he was born!

And finally be "in yo face" to the birthers out there if they still are making a racket...

Detroit does sound good to me.

Another might be Boston. Might be good to help honor Ted Kennedy if he's still fighting the good fight, or help whoever replaces him as a legend there at that time...

Probably avoid Vermont. If Bernie Sanders does make a run in 2012, it might get to confusing if the Dems are there on his turf then...

However, maybe putting it in Connecticut will help us make sure to get Joe kicked out of his seat that year and celebrate a REAL Democrat in his place for a change!

[saltpoint]

96. In Lou Dobbs' hotel room they could slip a copy of the original Hawaii

birth certificate inside his Gideon Bible in the night stand.

[Sebastian Doyle]

92. I really don't think it should be either Detroit or Miami

Why the Hell should the Democratic Party reward the two states that consistently make a goddamn mockery of the political process? Michigan broke the goddamn rules willingly in the last two primaries, and Florida couldn't hold an honest election if Christ Himself was counting the ballots.

[demodonkey]

93. Pittsburgh. We are going to be shat upon with the G20 soon, so we deserve something nicer?

Great city, pretty views, lots of hotels, cool convention center... what's more to want?

http://www.visitpittsburgh.com/

[saltpoint]

95. I've always liked Pittsburgh. 'Was fortunate enough to have a

college roommate from there who took a stationwagon load of us for a weekend's tour of his home town.

It IS impressive. He called it "Cincinnati done right."

If we carry the Philadelphia area and the Pittsburgh area by impressive enough numbers, Pennsylvania remains blue.

I could see it.

[SuperTrouper]

99. How about Phoenix, right on McCain's backyard?

[Perky]

100. Nairobi

:sarcasm:

[saltpoint]

101. : )

[grantcart]

149. you beat me to it lol

[tomreedtoon]

102. The Äztec sacrifice pyramids in Mexico City.

Since the world is going to end there in 2012, we might as well elect the last American President there as well. It will be the last great event the audience will ever see.

[saltpoint]

103. I didn't realize we were at the door of the Apocalypse so soon.

And given that we are, I'd kind of like to see a few things on eBay.

[BlooInBloo]

104. Seattle loves Obama!

[Bluenorthwest]

106. Detroit

or New Orleans.

[SoxFan]

108. Factors

Political Impact: Overrated, but still a factor. Preferably a city in a swing state. Some sort of symbolism (New Orleans).

Hotel Space: Many of the suggestions on this thread simply aren't realistic because of a lack of high-end hotel space. Portland and Raleigh may be wonderful cities, but they lack the hotel capacity for something of this magnitude.

Transportation: This is two-pronged. First, the city should be easily accessible by air and rail. Second, it should have a strong local transit system. Boston, New York, San Francisco, and Chicago were greatly aided by their excellent transit systems.

Finances: A convention host city must be capable of raising brazillions of dollars in private sector funds to pay for the hoo-ha associated with a convention. Cities like Charlotte, Chicago, Atlanta, Houston, etc have an advantage over economically shaky places like Detroit and New Orleans, as well as over places like San Antonio and St. Louis which don't have a huge corporate presence. If a city can't support 81 nights of Major League Baseball luxury boxes, it's going to have a tough time paying for a convention.

[cascadiance]

113. "Sustainability" should be a big factor in 2012 when climate change is a bigger issue then...

Check out this web site for city rankings on various issues such as mass transit, green building, etc.

I think that the better the city is for a model of all of these variables, and the more it is emphasized at the convention, it will be a much needed call to arms then to really deal with climate change, and get the rest of the country watching the convention excited about doing so and attract more voters in a non-partisan fashion.

http://www.sustainlane.com/us-city-rankings/overall-rankings

[anonymous171]

128. New Orleans is not in a swing state. LA is deep red. nt

[SoxFan]

129. Clinton carried Louisiana and it has a Dem senator

It's not Alabama or Mississippi.

[Hippo_Tron]

136. The climate was different than when Clinton ran

Catholics used to vote Democratic despite their gripes with social issues. When the religious wrong decided they needed to expand their ranks they stopped being anti-catholic bigots and welcomed Catholics on board. People now vote against their own economic interests than they did in 1992 because the Catholic Priests now make a bigger deal about baby killing and gay marriage.

[SoxFan]

140. This is flat-out incorrect

Catholics voted for Obama in greater numbers than any Christian denomination, and voted Democratic in greater numbers than they did in 1992, 1996, 2000, or 2004.

If Catholicism is the decisive factor, then Obama wouldn't have won New Hampshire, New Mexico, Connecticut, or Ohio.

[Hippo_Tron]

147. I find that hard to believe, but it may be a north vs south thing

All I know is that Louisiana is more red than it was in 1992 and the state is largely Catholic. It may be merely a correlation rather than causation but it is the case.

[anonymous171]

154. Also, Bill Clinton was not black. nt

[ensho]

115. Detroit

nt

[blue_onyx]

117. Detroit

[vinylsolution]

118. How about Colorado Springs?

Home to Focus on The Family, Ted Haggard's New Life Church, and thousands of knuckle-dragging Freepers.

An influx of thousands of Democrats would get the local wingnuts' blood boiling!

[saltpoint]

144. The fundies would fly into a rage over it, that's for sure,

and there are a dangerously high concentration of them in Col. Springs.

Which is too bad because it's a wildly beautiful city and area.

Let me ask. Is Poor Richard's Read & Feed still open? I spent many a splendid time in that place.

[CTyankee]

120. Considered Houston but voted for St. Louis. Take it to the heartland!

Texas may just turn blue by dint of immigration. MO might be a bigger problem, but I don't know that much about the state so it's hard for me to tell.

We must continue to make inroads in areas where our hold, if we have one, is young and tenuous.

[saltpoint]

145. Agree. And howdy, too. I'd love to see a huge demographic shift

so that we didn't have to battle to the death in places like Missouri.

Recent polling is encouraging, but I'm greedy. I want a 50-state sweep!

[CTyankee]

148. Hi Saltpoint! I agree with you; I'm tired of waiting for the sweep.

Here in Door County, WI for a 3 week stay. Trying my best at imitating this Wisconsin accent but it is driving my WI native husband crazy ("OH GEE!"). Heh.

My arteries are taking a beating from all these brats (sausages not kids).

[Cha]

121. Other..I'm thinking Detroit, too, at this

juncture..we need to help that city all we can from what I'm hearing.

[saltpoint]

146. Hi, Cha. Detroit has its bruises and scrapes but great cities can rise

again.

I don't think people would have any problem with Detroit as the convention spot.

[greenbriar]

122. Kansas

.

[anonymous171]

126. Seattle. The West Coast needs some love. nt

[Ganja Ninja]

131. Wasillia. n/t

[IndianaGreen]

133. Chicago! The great city in the Midwest.

Chicago is a great city, and it happens to be home to the Obamas.

[ncteechur]

137. detroit-flint

[SKKY]

139. Louisville, Kentucky...

...Louisville fell squarely in the Obama camp. Plus, it's my hometown and it would be pretty cool.

[saltpoint]

141. Beautiful town.

But what's the count on hotel rooms? We've got to put the delegates up somewhere.

The bridge across the river never knew better than those across the Ohio at Louisville.

[SKKY]

142. Butt-loads of hotel rooms.

[saltpoint]

143. PLEASE tell me that "butt-loads of hotel rooms" is not the slogan

on the chamber-of-commerce brochures to attract conventions to the city.

[grantcart]

150. No its "What happens in Louisville gets picked up and rumored back home - - -

everyone will be talking about you!"

[saltpoint]

159. : )

:thumbsup: :hi:

[sandnsea]

151. Seattle

Stop taking the northwest for granted!

[JayMusgrove]

152. Stupid question, but why not Chicago in the list?

I'm sorry, there's probably an obvious reason of which I am not aware.

[saltpoint]

160. I like Chicago and have no quarrel with it, but Dems have had conventions

there twice since 68.

I didn't leave it out because I disliked it but just to throw some new venues into the mix.

[demwing]

153. Indianopolis - the Capitol city of the Crossroads of America

Acknowlege Indiana's place in the Obama victory, help confirm the image of the party as blue collar, midwestern, and multi-racial, and set up the state for a twofer win for Dems!

[saltpoint]

161. Indiana did go blue, and I was pretty thrilled about that, but

now we have to work on building a really strong grassroots blue organization across the state.

I'm fearful that Mike Pence has his ambitions tuned for higher office. That guy is frightening.

[brendan120678]

157. Anywhere BUT the Hartford, CT area....

traffic would be a nightmare, and I wouldn't want to have to deal with it during my commute!!

;)

[DesertRat]

158. Phoenix, please!

[CreekDog]

162. Montreal

or Toronto. :D