Twin Cities' convention hopes rise (bid for Democratic '08 gathering)

[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.

[proud2BlibKansan]

1. Denver is too close to Colorado Springs

and that's where Dobson and his group are. Let's have the convention as far away from them as we can get.

[IronLionZion]

2. Good that they will pick a swing state in middle america

if they ever pick a dark blue city in a dark blue region again I'm going to scream.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

4. We used to be a dark blue city in a dark blue region.

I hope we are again someday soon. It would be great fun to have the Dem convention here, but in a perverse way I'm also sort of hoping for the Rethuglicans, who are also looking seriously at Minneapolis. I haven't been part of a really big protest demonstration since 1970, and there would be some very excellent potential for that. Also, the local hookers could use the business, which always gets a boost when a lot of Republicans are around.

[IronLionZion]

10. ROFLMAO!!!

Not even NYC had enough hookers for the Republican convention! Hookers from everywhere have to be flown in for the RNC. Especially hookers like Jeff Gannon.

[PATRICK]

18. More to gain

locally and symbolically in the heartlland of progressive populism. Might serve to redefine centrism away from the dysfunctional nuances of the Southern strategy upper crust cocktail hour set and the NE liberal crowd.

Denver is just out there in low electoral, low visibility land. It seems better even in a 21st century TV world. Solid, physicla center and not the bean counting roadkill center of pure statistics. And since there is no central leadership or huge success of heir aparent from any other special region this sounds good for party unity.

[Renew Deal]

3. Minnesota is a bad choice.

It's in the middle of nowhere and symbolically represents nothing but cold and the Vikings. Denver is a much better choice, no matter the hotel situation.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

5. Middle of nowhere? I beg your pardon!

It's a helluva lot closer to "somewhere" than Denver; plus it has UNION hotels; one of the largest airports in the world (about #13, I think), major tech and medical industries (ever heard of the Mayo Clinic?), a huge convention center, and one of the best teams in baseball this year. And it normally does not snow in July or August.

And the union hotel thing is a huge issue for the Democrats, who really need to get behind the labor movement again.

[wellstone dem]

9. Well put Ocelot

Also, this is the best time of year to be in Minnesota (except in my opinion May when we know that we have once again survived a winter!) Great places to eat, progressive book stores, close to wonderful state parks for those who want to extend the trip. But I do agree, I'd rather protest the republicants.

[MaineDem]

6. The union hotel issue could very well be the deal breaker

It is one of the criteria for the convention site.

[Omaha Steve]

7. That means....

It won't be in Omaha. Even the hotel owned by the city isn't union. :-( But the Democrats use it for functions.

[goodhue]

12. I always felt Devner was in the middle of nowhere

The drive across Nebraska and all

[Odin2005]

15. Gee, thanks for the BS stereotypes.

:eyes:

[gauguin57]

8. And Garrison Keillor could come over from St. Paul and say "howdy"

to the delegates. He'd be a great speaker for the Demo. convention!

(belated plug here for his book (and a wonderful audio-book version) "Homegrown Democrat." Keillor's words about Democrats and Republicans will make you cheer!)

[davidinalameda]

11. Minnesota in August

bring your mosquito repellent

[DavidDvorkin]

13. Damn, this is disappointing

I was really hoping it would be here in Denver.

Ah, well. At least we won the 2008 World Science Fiction Convention.

[CatholicEdHead]

14. This is encouraging

Minnesota is a fluctuating shade of purple. It would be a boost to the DFL in following years.

[undeterred]

16. Just a hop skip and a jump for Senator Feingold

to come over and accept the nomination!

[Demeter]

17. Minnesota Is a Friendly Place

It will do the Californians good to see some of the country.

But the food can be awful...Garrison Keillor is a plus, though.