Twin Cities' convention hopes rise (bid for Democratic '08 gathering) [View All]

[Omaha Steve]

FULL story: http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/news/state/minnesota/15384795.htm



Twin Cities' convention hopes rise
Denver concedes lack of unionized hotels hobbles its bid for Democratic '08 gathering
BY TIM NELSON
Pioneer Press

The city once thought to be the front-runner for the 2008 Democratic National Convention may be flagging, and Minnesota organizers say they're more hopeful than ever they'll overtake Denver in the quest to host the gathering.

Two of Colorado's top convention organizers publicly acknowledged over the weekend that the lack of unionized hotel workers in Denver could hurt its chances of landing the national Democratic gathering.

"It would be extremely out of character" for party officials to pick a host site that didn't have a union hotel, the head of Denver's bid for the DNC told the Denver Post, acknowledging that union opposition may play a role in the selection process.

Unions have yet to organize a single hotel in Denver, although the convention doesn't open for another two years. Debbie Willhite, a Democratic activist who's serving as the director of Denver's bid, did not respond to inquiries about the issue Monday.