With the race for the Democratic presidential nomination down to two, the nation’s eyes soon will turn to Colorado. Not just because of Tuesday’s caucuses, of course, but because Denver will become the center of the Democrats’ world for four days in August.
Preparations, thankfully, have been underway for at least a year. And so far, we like what we see.
Since the Democrats’ final two, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, have enough political stamina and fundraising prowess to power them beyond Super Tuesday — if a clear winner doesn’t emerge — organizers are already preparing for the possibility of a brokered convention. Now that would be exciting.
For four days in August, conventioneers in the shape of delegates, journalists and party bigwigs will immerse themselves in the West as the Colorado Rockies hit the road and Denverites worry about maneuvering the roads.
Democratic National Convention Committee CEO Leah Daughtry contends that Denver’s position as the convention site will bring a national focus to the American West — its issues and its people.
Western prime-time, she calls it, and we hope she’s right.
The politics of the Rocky Mountain West are an integral part of the politics of America. Environment. Immigration. Energy. Agriculture. So much so that we’d like to see the lawmakers who tackle those get some prime-time speaking slots. Let’s introduce the rest of the country to Colorado Sen. Ken Salazar, Montana Sen. Jon Tester and Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, for starters.
Organizers are hopeful that Denver’s convention bid will open up the possibility that other cities our size can host a convention. And why not?
In 2004, the Republican and Democratic national conventions — held in New York City and Boston, respectively — were hosted by big cities, but they were not without problems. Want to know how to alienate million of voters? Close down large areas of midtown Manhattan and cage demonstrators in Boston.
Daughtry, the daughter of an activist Brooklyn minister, the Rev. Herbert Daughtry, is a woman with an activist’s heart. She wants to ensure the rights of demonstrators aren’t trampled here, and says the layout of downtown Denver and the Pepsi Center will make that easier. It’s important that those voices are heard.
More than 14,000 volunteers have signed up to help, said Daughtry — an amazing number.
Serious momentum is in the air, as a political chinook of sorts is driving more folks to get involved and causing even more to take notice of the election — months before it takes place.
Four days in August. Time to get ready. Denver has big boots to fill.
