Boston's Democratic Convention a Quagmire

[phillybri]

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20040405/ap_on_el_pr/democratic_convention_3

BOSTON - City leaders lured Democrats with lobsters, Red Sox games, and the promise of millions in corporate contributions. But in the 15 months since Boston won its first national presidential convention, the enthusiasm so marveled at by party leaders is dissolving into a logistical and political quagmire.

The event's cramped quarters in a densely packed downtown, combined with heightened security for the first national political convention since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, prompted the Secret Service to call for the closure of two of the city's main transportation centers during the four-day gathering July 26-29.

Republican Gov. Mitt Romney started a political firestorm by suggesting the convention be moved to South Boston, from the FleetCenter. Democrats took his unsolicited advice as a partisan effort to torpedo their big party.

City police unions, engaged in an ugly contract dispute with Boston Mayor Tom Menino, are threatening to picket.

:wtf:

Oh, this is a quagmire...not what's going on in Iraq...:grr:

[yardwork]

1. This really ticks me off!

If the governor is being such a jerk, move the damn thing somewhere to the south. Southerners believe in hospitality. Besides, it's not good to have a candidate from MA with a convention in MA. It will turn off the rest of the country.

I'm mad about this. Didn't anyone think that Romney would cause trouble?

[dsc]

2. Come to Cleveland

We have the Indians, we have liberal politicians, we have Lake Erie, we have it all. And Ohio is in play.

[Redneck Socialist]

3. Ahh, Boston at its finest.

Is anyone really surprised by this? You could offer Boston both conventions and the Olympics and the response would be, "ehh, whatever. Sounds like a pain in the ass."

[Kathy in Cambridge]

4. After 12 years of Big Dig Inconvenience, I don't see what the big deal is

a few days in July when most people are on vacation? Seriously, Boston is DEAD in late July. No waits going out to eat and the traffic is lighter.

Yes, Bostonians have elevated complaining to an art form!

[Toucano]

6. I'm not so sure

that wouldn't be the right response! :)

[Mattforclark]

5. Why isn't the convention in Florida or Ohio?

Cincy, Columbus, Cleveland....

Miami, Orlando, Tampa....

[phillybri]

7. Kick

:kick:

[buddhamama]

8. adding to the congestion

The Dead are playing in Boston that week too.