New Orleans drops bid for 2008 convention

[brooklynite]

WASHINGTON - New Orleans has dropped out of the race to host the 2008 Democratic National Convention, saying the cost of holding the event after Hurricane Katrina last year was too massive.

The announcement on Thursday leaves Denver, Minneapolis-St. Paul and New York City as the remaining competitors to host the party's nominating convention.

"The main reason is that we're not at a point to raise the millions and millions required," said Kelly Schulz, vice president of communications with the city's conventions and visitors bureau.

Schulz estimated it would require at least $11 million in in-kind donations.

"If we're going to raise millions of dollars in sponsorship, it can go to other needs," Schulz said. "We're definitely open for business again, but there were larger needs. It might be a little early to host something this large."

A decision on a host city is expected later this year.

Cities vying for the Republican convention are Cleveland, New York, and joint bids from Tampa-St. Petersburg, Fla., and Minneapolis-St. Paul.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060713/ap_on_el_pr/democratic_convention_1

A good move. It would be extremely difficult to hold a celebratory political convention that would be viewed against the continued devastation of the surrounding city.

[IndianaGreen]

1. No New York! I don't want to go through another coronation!

Denver is a fine city.

[Behind the Aegis]

2. That sucks!

NOLA needs the convention money. We also need for people to see our city first hand! In two years, it will be much better than it is now!

[Sherman A1]

Agreed

I doubt if they would be up to it, but there is an opportunity for the Dem's to do something nice for the city en-route to the convention. Perhaps some major unifying event - more than a photo op, less than a convention.

[skids]

3. Would have been a great statement...

...but understandable. Schultz deserves a thank you both for giving it the old college try, and being enough of a realist to come to a realistic conclusion.

[pitohui]

11. we should never be promoting conventions in august honestly

it is prob. not a popular idea around here but, honestly, we have no business promoting conventions or tourism that would be timed for the most likely peak of the local hurricane season -- mid august through late september

in decades gone by it simply didn't occur to people to visit nola in august, for anything, and then the tourism boards got busy offering "deals"

but honestly it is just not the right time of year to be inviting tens or hundreds of thousands into the city

[KamaAina]

16. Yeah you right. Not to mention that even with no hurricane,

(other than those served at Pat O'Brien's :-) ) the delegates would hardly be enjoying a peak New Orleans experience, what with the temps AND humidity likely hovering around 95. It'd basically be like Phoenix with better food and music: from air-conditioned hotel room to air-conditioned bus to air-conditioned convention center or Superdome and back again (assuming the power stays on...).

Then there's the same old sticking point we've had for decades: Dems justly prefer to house their delegates in unionized hotels. N.O., I read somewhere, has only two, and one is the storm-damaged Fairmont.

What the hey, massive political conventions are basically dinosaurs anyway. Look at the shrinking amount of airtime for the last two cycles. </sour-grapes>

[Pirate Smile]

4. It is going to be Denver. That will be great. Go west, young man

(and woman).

[MaineDem]

6. I think Denver is the leading candidate

Works for me!

[mountainvue]

9. Our economy sucks right now. n/t

[El Supremo]

10. Yes, Denver!

The Centennial State's Centennial Convention! (We last had it in 1908) I just hope Wes Clark does better than William Jennings Bryan.


http://www.9news.com/acm_news.aspx?OSGNAME=KUSA&IKOBJECTID=69c0b228-0abe-421a-000f-318184c62c54&TEMPLATEID=0c76dce6-ac1f-02d8-0047-c589c01ca7bf

[azurnoir]

5. I think the GOP

should be forced to have their convention there . Afterall it would help the local economy (and speed cleanup as well)

[Vidar]

7. Powerful symbolism bows to sad reality.

[CatholicEdHead]

8. Twin Cities would be a good choice

[w4rma]

12. That bites, New Orleans would have been a very very good choice.

$11 million isn't really that much, maybe there is a way.

[Placebo]

13. Denver!

:patriot:

[funkybutt]

14. I'm bummed about this

I understand...but still bummed

:( from NOLA

[OrangeCountyDemocrat]

17. Are You OK Funky?

After the burglary and all? Do you think things have stabalized there, or are they still going downhill? I know it's going to take awhile for it to start moving forward.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

15. I hope it's Minneapolis

in part for selfish reasons, like the fact that I live here and it would be fun. In a way, though, I'd like to see the Repubs have their convention here instead, because of the most excellent protest opportunities that would afford.