Money Troubles in Denver

[sniffa]

While the dragged-out Democratic primary battle is taking its toll on the candidates, their staffs and their anxious supporters, it is also making it much harder to plan the coronation.

The host committee for the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver is finding it difficult to raise the $55 million it has promised in exchange for the privilege of holding the event at the Pepsi Center, above, from Aug. 25 to 28.

Last Monday, the committee failed to achieve its latest fund-raising deadline imposed by the Democratic National Committee. Chris Lopez, a spokesman for the committee, said cash on hand totaled $23 million, $5 million short of the goal. But he said the panel had commitments for the balance. The committee has missed two of its three interim deadlines before the full amount comes due on June 16.

“Obviously, they don’t know who the nominee is yet; we certainly had that,” said Mary Liz Ganley, the finance director for the 2004 host committee in Boston, referring to the early victory that year of Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts. “We were able to sort of focus and put our heads down, but I think people are really looking at what’s going to happen. That’s certainly a challenge for them, I think.”

The Minneapolis-St. Paul host committee on the Republican side seems to be having better luck. The group, which is required to raise $39 million, met its first deadline of 60 percent of the total in December, and they expect to meet an internal deadline of 70 percent by the end of this month.

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/03/23/money-troubles-in-denver/

The time for this to end has passed.

[saracat]

1. Isn't that too bad. Maybe we'll have to skip the "coranation" then

What an absolutely trivial concern. Imagine , democracy and voting getting in the way of a "convention"!:sarcasm:

[WolverineDG]

2. Have no fear

Her MajestySenator Clinton can always loan herself more money for it.

dg

[sniffa]

4. I.O.U. 1 DNC Convention

[WolverineDG]

8. They'll have to get in line

behind all the people in Iowa who have yet to be paid....

;)

dg

[Skidmore]

7. You make a mockery of the

gracious lady whose picture you use as an avatar.

[saracat]

13. I think not. Elizabeth would have even more to say on this than me after how John was treated.

and as badly as she was treated on this board.Whatever.

[Coexist]

3. I'd be happy to donate once this thing is over.

[Yael]

5. No worries

There will be plenty of time to add $30 million to the kitty in July when this wraps up and we can start focusing our contributions against the opposition party as opposed to against ourselves.

[cooolandrew]

6. It's pretty clear. If the DNC stop what is clearly over they will gain funds easy as pie...

It's not rocket science DNC.....

[quakerboy]

9. 55 million?

Is it just me, or does that seem ridiculous for a 3 day event, even one so "important" as this. Thats a month of record fund raising, even for Obama.

[K Gardner]

10. I received a snail mail survey and request for donation last week from the

DNC.. and I have to say I sent it back with a very long and detailed letter about why I could not donate until the party stood behind the democratic frontrunner. That may be wrong, but I won't donate until I see some spine from the DNC. From some of the people I know in the regional party, this is a recurrent theme - they are having trouble getting people to donate either because A) they are tapped out from candidate donations or B) They are just simply pissed off.

Its time to bring the party together, indeed. What if we can't afford Obamaballoons?? !! Oh NOES !

[sniffa]

11. I think the bigwigs are trying to intervene now

[sniffa]

12. Kick for coalescing around Obama, the presumptive nominee

[joshcryer]

14. Why haven't the SDs selected him then and got it over with?

[Froward69]

15. Donate Here

http://www.demconvention.com/?lang=en

[Leopolds Ghost]

16. You do know where this money comes from? $60 million is bribe money from wealthy fat cats

Who want face time and recognition as a party supporter in the next administration.