The Democratic Party on Tuesday announced plans to hold a national strategizing session in Denver this summer, boosting hopes that the city also will be able to snag the party’s 2008 convention.
Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper and Colorado House Speaker Andrew Romanoff appeared with Democratic Leadership Council founder Al From to announce that the DLC will hold its annual “national conversation” in Denver on July 22-24.
The announcement comes just days after Hickenlooper and other boosters traveled to New Orleans to tout Denver as a logical convention site in meetings with Democratic National Committee officials.
“There was very strong enthusiasm to consider Denver as a site,” said Hickenlooper, who added that he also would welcome a Republican convention. “And it actually made me a little uncomfortable because you hate to be the front-runner.”
Hickenlooper said the prospect of hundreds of local and national Democratic Party leaders coming to the DLC event in July only adds to the momentum.
From, whose organization has sought to steer the Democratic Party to more centrist positions, also said Denver would be a logical choice for the Democratic Party’s national convention.
“One of the big challenges for the Democratic Party is how to win in fast-growing areas, and this state and this city represent that kind of area,” From said.
The DLC helped propel Bill Clinton’s successful 1992 bid to the White House. From said that more than 300 elected Democratic officials will come to Denver to participate in the DLC’s “national conversation.”
He said that in coming months, the DLC plans to release strategies that will help shape an agenda for Democratic congressional and gubernatorial candidates. Those strategies will be at the center of discussions during the DLC event in Denver, he said.
“We believe that this 2006 national conversation comes at a critical time for our party and our country,” From said. “America is in great need of visionary leadership, and we intend to show here that the Democratic Party will supply it.”
Staff writer Christopher N. Osher can be reached at 303-820-1747 or cosher@ denverpost.com.
