All in favor of moving the Democratic Convention out of North Carolina say "aye."

[McCamy Taylor]

I think that North Carolina is deliberately snubbing Democrats and their base which includes a whole lot of gays and lesbians. I do not think that North Carolina deserves any tourist money, including the $150 million in revenues that will be generated from the Democratic Convention in Charlotte.

[Bluebear]

1. Aye. Of course that would take courage. Also, NC is THE least unionized state in the country.

[nadinbrzezinski]

2. Recommended

[SmileyRose]

3. Jesus didn't tolerate the pharasees

why should the Democratic Party?

[Bucky]

79. Jesus went where the people who needed him were.

Why shouldn't the Democratic Party?

[sam11111]

4. aye midwest close to all of us

Or minneapolis

[Tunkamerica]

24. The midwest isn't close me

[Raine]

5. The convention should be in a progressive blue state but it's probably

too late to move it since it's less than a year away.

[Bluebear]

6. I bet cities could scramble to do it!

The DNC wouldn't have the colones though!

[Tunkamerica]

18. The DNC started running ads here today.

[Carnage251]

22. See reply #11

Why have the convention in a state Obama is definitely going to win instead of having it in a tossup state?
Was Colorado progressive and blue enough to chose for the DNC 2008?

[FreeState]

7. Yes, it's time for Democrats to loudly condemn this with words and action n/t

[mmonk]

8. One might remember that this is the first Republican legislature since

reconstruction and it went to Obama in 2008. Gerrymandering might make it harder to win in national elections presently, but many are unhappy with what the Republicans have done so far, especially with this amendment on the ballot. There is a chance this amendment will fail as the majority do not support it. But putting in on the primary ballot puts pressure on us to get out and vote it down.

[Golden Raisin]

9. Just like our elections

these decisions are well thought out by the powers that be, not made lightly and are arranged well in advance. No way at this point in the game the convention will be moved.

[Bluebear]

10. They certainly made the decision lightly regarding labor

[sudopod]

50. "these decisions are well thought out by the powers that be"

LOL

[Tx4obama]

11. The convention SHOULD be in a state that we need to try to win.

Not a state that is deep blue.
That is probably why it is scheduled to be in NC.
We need to 'win' NC - and having the convention there will help us 'the democrats'.


p.s. Obama had NOTHING to do with 'the State legislators' decision to hold the LGBT vote in May' - so everyone needs to stop linking Obama to it.

EVERY state has Democrats and we need to do ALL we can do to help turn red/purple states into BLUE states ;)



Edited to fix typo in subject line.

[Tunkamerica]

15. I'm pretty sure everyone in NC is the devil.

At least that's what I've heard.

[bullimiami]

28. im pretty sure you are right. :)

[Wait Wut]

54. That just makes too much sense.

Like arguing with other Democrats all day will change the country. Wait...

[tcaudilllg]

12. Why not Ohio? Or Pennsylvania?

[Tx4obama]

13. When the convention committee makes the decision it is based on many things, such as ...

Number of hotel rooms available
Local transportation: cabs, buses, trains, (also airport capacity)
Size of convention center
Weather
ETC.

[taterguy]

29. The decision was partially based on weather?

Have you ever been in Charlotte in August?

[Tx4obama]

57. What I meant was

they probably wouldn't put it on the coast during hurricane season ;)

[taterguy]

75. Two words:

Hurricane Hugo

[pstokely]

77. Does it matter when it's indoors?

nt

[taterguy]

81. In August in Charlotte you melt just walking across a parking lot

So yes, it matters.

[Firebrand Gary]

14. Hell no on moving the convention!

Why in the world would we run from a fight? Hell NO! I am totally supportive of the Charlotte Convention, I love that the President is stating to the Republican party, yeah I'm in the south, now what?

I already have my room booked!

[barbtries]

16. i'm a democrat in NC

we can go blue again. yes much of the legislature in this state has their collective head up their collective ass but liberals and progressives are here. no matter where you go there you'll be. make it good.

[Tx4obama]

20. I am a democrat in Texas ... and ...

I was hoping the Democratic Convention would be in Texas in 2012.

In 2008 Obama won the MAJORITY of our largest cities/counties (except for Ft.Worth)

The cites/counties Obama won in Texas were:

Dallas/Dallas
Austin/Travis
Houston/Harris
San Antonio
El Paso
ETC.

In my opinion Texas is more BLUE than red.
It won't be long before there are more Democrats in Texas than Gop'ers,
especially now that our republican governor Perry is an embarrassment on the national level!

[barbtries]

31. i actually don't much care where they hold it.

cities want it for the revenue, but 99.9% of the people are only going to see it on the news regardless. i just had to speak up because i am in NC and believe me, right (as in CORRECT, or left) thinking people in this state despise what the legislature just did.

[Major Hogwash]

26. Plus the fact that there are just as many Democrats in North Carolina as some othe states.

Like when we were in Colorado the last time.
That state has a lot of Republicans, but we made a difference there by holding the DNC in Denver and no one was shouting about moving the convention in 2008.

[barbtries]

30. yeah!

thanks

[ncrainbowgrrl]

63. Hi there, my fellow NC dem!

:hi: By having the convention in Charlotte, we can rid ourselves of the rethug legislature, draw attention to all that's gone down this session, and turn this state a definite strong purple to light blue, We need the attention, the press, the money, and the outpouring of support for turning back the retrogressive policies and redistricting that could seriously harm the number of STRONG democrats that we send to the house in DC.

Care for more Virginia Foxxes: More Renee Ellers?

I want BOTH Brad Miller and David Price (NC-13 and NC-4) to return to congress, We need them BOTH. One liberal, and one strong behind- the scenes fiscal policy wonk. As of this NC leg. Session, the redistricting has them facing off. Only one will return to DC,

Currently, NC's delegation is (IIRC) 7-6 D-E, With the current plan- could be as bad as 10R=3D

Not a good way to take back the house. We need national attention.

Charlotte is a great city. 25th largest media market. Raleigh-Durham is 24th,

Welcome to North Carolina- a state that is in definite transition to one that can be a democratic stronghold... if people would only let it.

[barbtries]

72. hi there ncrainbowgrrl!

:hi:

[Firebrand Gary]

73. We are going to knock your socks of next year!

Good stuff is on its way for Charlotte!

[barbtries]

74. how do i get to be a delegate?

i've never been to a convention. could be special!

[Tunkamerica]

17. Amendments that ban same-sex marriage

Alaska
Nevada
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Oregon
Colorado
Tennessee
Arizona
California

Amendments that ban same-sex marriage and civil unions, but not other contracts (what NC REPUBLICANTS are trying to do):

Nebraska
Arkansas
Georgia
Kentucky
Louisiana
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Utah
Kansas
Texas
Alabama
Idaho
South Dakota
Wisconsin
Florida

Amendments that ban same-sex marriage, civil unions, and other contracts:

Michigan
Virginia

Amendments that grant legislative authority to ban same-sex marriage

Hawaii

that's more than half the states. Should democrats boycott all of them or just NC? What if you happen to live in one of these states and are against what the repubs did on the back of the 2010 elections?


edited to change ban to boycott in last sentence and to add hawaii

[Bluebear]

19. You tell us which ones we should 'ban'

[Tunkamerica]

21. changed ban to boycott like i meant. b-words both.

[Kalidurga]

23. I wish the convention was someplace else as well, but

if it drives the GOP crazy then this works.

[yardwork]

51. Thanks. I was getting ready to post that.

[Tunkamerica]

52. I saw the band yardwork last weekend

the nc one, since I hear there's a va yardwork too

[yardwork]

55. I heard about the NC band. Didn't know about the one from VA.

[Pab Sungenis]

60. All of them.

Equality is not a voting issue.

[Name removed]

25. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[taterguy]

27. The Democratic National Convention will be in Charlotte, not NC

Charlotte is only part of NC based on arbitrary geographic boundaries. It's not really part of the state in any cultural or political sense, which is why no one from Charlotte has ever won a state-wide election.

As for whether or not NC deserves tourist money: Fine, most of the good spots are too damn crowded anyway.

[bluestate10]

66. Didn't Charlotte elect a black mayor that went on to give Jesse Helms a tough Senate race? nt

[taterguy]

78. Yes but Charlotte is still the crazy uncle in the attic that no one wants to talk about

It names its sports teams the Hornets, an annoying pest.

It's known for two things: The PTL Club and giant banks: Both of which bilked folks out of their life savings.

Gastonia's where it's at: A hard-working mill town epitomized by its most famous citizen, Big Game James.

[vi5]

32. So 2 big elements of our base....

Unions and gays are once again told basically in almost so many words "Thanks for all that loyalty and everything but you don't matter to us as much as wooing conservatives who will never, ever vote for us anyway."

[Pab Sungenis]

62. Bingo,

You win one internet.

[WI_DEM]

33. It won't be because Obama needs North Carolina and if he removes the convention

that will end any hopes of his carrying the state. It has, I think 15 or 16 EV.

[Pab Sungenis]

61. He's not going to get it anyhow.

I hate to say it, but 2008 was a fluke. I really don't think he has a chance of winning anything south of Virginia except for Florida and New Mexico.

I hope I'm wrong, though.

[Mr Gerrity]

34. I don't know why they chose Fundie-land anyway.

[rhett o rick]

43. Tread lightly sir. nm

[Tunkamerica]

53. Says the guy in florida

[truebrit71]

35. Fucking Aye!!!

It was a terrible choice to begin with imho...

[xchrom]

36. i'm in NC & i vote AYE. nt

[RegieRocker]

37. AYE!

[scheming daemons]

38. Dumbest idea ever

You need to "go to where the sinners are" with these conventions.

Having it in a safe state defeats the purpose. We want to convert people, not preach to the choir.

[joeybee12]

39. I agree...and if that homophobic ballot measure passes...doubly agree...knr

[FarCenter]

40. Why Charlotte? Should be in CARY, NC -- Containment Area for Relocated Yankees

Near Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill.

[taterguy]

45. Does Cary have a venue large enough for it?

Think before you post

[FarCenter]

48. No, but I think that the Reasearch Triangle does.

[taterguy]

49. The Research Triangle is a complex of office buildings, no convention centers

Once again, think before you post.

:eyes:

[FarCenter]

58. The "Reasearch Triangle" refers to Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill region

"The Research Triangle, also known as Raleigh-Durham and commonly referred to as simply "The Triangle", is a region in the Piedmont of North Carolina in the United States, anchored by North Carolina State University, Duke University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and cities of Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill respectively."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Research_Triangle

I did not say "Reasearch Triangle Park". http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Research_Triangle_Park

Raleigh definitely has a convention center.

[itsallhappening]

65. No natives call it that. In fact, most people who move to the area

stop calling it that.

The convention could be at the RBC Center. http://www.rbccenter.com/

[Romulox]

41. Why? The Cheap Labor types eat this "right to work" shit up. THEY are the ones we need to win!

Those who believe in that tired, old union crap will vote for Obama, anyhow.

[Brickbat]

42. Been saying that since day one because of labor. But I'm sure the argument against labor is the

same that will be leveled toward you: Those are exactly the people we need to win!11!!!!

[rhett o rick]

44. The question is moot. To much planning to move. Also, it would look bad for Dems.

Maybe it was a wrong decision to put it there, but it's there now.

[aikoaiko]

46. NAY! Obama won NC by 1/2% and we need this battle ground state.

Think strategically.

[bluestate10]

67. Too many people posting on these boards seem incapable of strategic thought.

It is all about in the moment reaction, with the outcome being negative the majority of the time. It is easier for people to whine about the upper 2% than to think and realize that the Koch brothers can't and will not outspend 1 million people scratching together $100 bucks each for a big election season. It is a lot of complain and hope that someone else steps up and do something, and the worst part is that shitty viewpoint is hailed on DU and at Firedog Lake.

[NYC Liberal]

47. Helping the local economy helps everyone. Don't blame all people in North Carolina for

the actions of some.

Do you have any ideas for the perfect state to host the convention? Pick one and I'll bet I can name some bad (or even terrible) laws on the books in that state.

[bluestate10]

68. Commonsense is always the victim of perfection. Rational people realize that. nt

[WillyT]

56. Aye !!!

:kick:

[Pab Sungenis]

59. Aye.

[bluestate10]

64. NAY!!!

There are a lot of good people in North Carolina. The state used to be bleeding red, but is now decidedly purple. Boycotting a state that is becoming more progressive will send it back toward the red column. A boycott may feel good, but it is senseless and counterproductive.

[Dragonfli]

69. Aye, I just don't get the wink and nod to "the right to work for much less" nt

[Hatchling]

70. AYE nt

[loudsue]

71. I'm in N.C., and I can't believe the O administration was stupid enough to let this happen.

This is the worst place in the world to have the democratic convention. Charlotte is very mixed....both dem and pukes....but this state is NOT going to help him this go around.

[pstokely]

76. Where should it move to?

nt

[Bucky]

80. Neigh

[LeftinOH]

82. I think DNC should be held smack in the reddest area of the reddest state,

which NC is not -but it's a good choice. Having the DNC hosted in a "friendly" city doesn't push any boundaries, which DEMS should be doing all the time.