Two years ago, Colorado emerged as an unexpected bright spot for Democrats who saw Republicans pad their majority in Congress and retain the White House. Despite a solid GOP voter registration edge (Democrats actually rank third behind unaffiliated voters), Colorado Democrats took control of both houses of the state legislature for the first time since 1960 and claimed a congressional seat and U.S. Senate seat from Republicans.
In addition, Coloradans delivered initiative victories on renewable energy, tobacco taxes and children’s health.
Democrats see Colorado and the Rocky Mountain West as a toehold of sorts for bigger and better things – a place to broaden their appeal to independent voters and turn around their presidential fortunes. They hope to start here this weekend, as the centrist Democratic Leadership Council hosts its annual national conversation here.
The party’s Colorado revival, and the pivotal nature of this region in the 2008 presidential race, have elevated Denver’s bid to host the Democrats’ 2008 National Convention. The city has put together a formidable bid, with the support of local Republicans, drawing on brand new convention, transportation and hotel facilities and an explosion of cultural offerings.
Regional support from the state’s Rocky Mountain neighbors make Denver an ideal backdrop for the 2008 convention.
Many of the figures who could influence a decision, such as New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, will be here this weekend, and we think they’ll see a city that’s not only comfortable hosting big events, but excited to do so.
“It’s our time,” said city councilwoman Elbra Wedgeworth, chairwoman of Denver’s host committee.
Democrats will choose between Denver, Minneapolis and New York. The others also have submitted bids to host the GOP confab, which may be in Denver’s favor – the two parties’ convention dates are so close together that it seems unlikely any city could host them both.
Logistically, Denver has what it takes. The city offers state-of-the-art facilities, from the Pepsi Center to the new convention center to a construction boom in downtown hotels. The Hamilton wing of the Denver Art Museum will dazzle visitors for years, and LoDo provides a zone of music, dining and good cheer that beats anything New York City has to offer.
Hosting conventions in the post-Sept. 11 world does not come cheap – estimates fall anywhere from $60 million to $80 million. Security costs alone could top $30 million, but will be funded by federal Homeland Security grants.
The economic benefits of hosting a party convention can be substantial, with upwards of $160 million pumped into the local economy.
Denver’s convention steering committee is confident about tapping private donors to support the city’s bid. A coalition of high-powered Democrats, including Wedgeworth, Chris Gates, Mayor John Hickenlooper and former U.S. Sen. Gary Hart, have assembled a panel that’s already raising money.
Hickenlooper has sought support from neighboring states to make Denver’s bid a truly regional one, gaining support from the governors of Arizona, Montana, New Mexico and Wyoming. That should add some weight to Denver’s bid, considering most of the region’s governors are centrists who serve as models of common-sense politics.
That underscores Denver’s major advantage in the convention effort – Colorado and the Western region fulfills the party’s needs politically, not just logistically.
Colorado is a moderate state that enjoys a solid record of cooperation among state political and business leaders. Democrats can spotlight Sen. Ken Salazar, an independent thinker who has earned a national profile despite ranking almost dead last in Senate seniority. Hickenlooper is an entrepreneur and a do-gooder who can’t easily explain how he came to be mayor but has proved popular across the city and its suburbs. Rep. Diana DeGette is a hard-working congresswoman whose persistence paid off in a bipartisan plan for stem-cell research. Wellington Webb served three terms as mayor and then was a key leader at the Democratic National Committee. They personify the type of officeholder any party should embrace – eager to pull on their boots, tackle the public’s business and deliver a Colorado message of faith, hard work and perseverance.
Many political experts believe the West will play a pivotal role in 2008 presidential politics and that Denver’s selection as a convention city would “expand the map” of Democrats’ political activity.
Western states expect to play a bigger role in November 2008. Why not start in August?
