Now that Sen. Barack Obama has claimed the Democratic presidential mantle, the talk is all about unity in the post-primary season.
Forgive us for being parochial, but we hope that unity extends to fundraising efforts for the Democratic National Convention to be held in Denver in August.
At last tally, the Denver host committee was $15 million short of the $40.6 million it must raise by June 16.
One of the explanations for the failure to meet fundraising goals has been that potential donors were focusing their attention and their money on the primaries between Obama and Sen. Hillary Clinton.
Now that the primaries are over and the delegate count favors Obama, the time has come for Democrats to refocus.
In Washington on Wednesday, top Democratic leaders asked uncommitted superdelegates to make endorsement decisions by Friday. They talked of uniting and moving on to the general election, which would pit Obama against presumptive Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain.
The Democrats’ agenda also should include boosting the fundraising efforts of the Denver host committee.
Obama, who has shown an astonishing ability to raise money, could help. More than 1.5 million people have donated to his primary campaign, according to campaign finance records cited in a recent New York Times story. Nearly half of the $256 million he has raised has come from individuals giving $200 or less.
An e-mailed request from the candidate to his donor list soliciting support for the convention could very well give the host committee the boost it needs.
Party leaders could call upon donors who’ve maxed out in contributions to candidates and ask them to consider supporting the convention.
Denver city leaders ultimately must raise $55 million for the DNC, and we trust they are out there beating the bushes to raise it. However, in the face of potential cash shortfalls, the committee has begun considering cutting costs.
On Wednesday, The Denver Post reported the host committee was consolidating parties to save money. The story also said locals were hopeful about money-raising efforts. Having a presumptive nominee may make that task easier.
But a little assistance from the party movers and shakers surely would help as Denver prepares to welcome Democrats to town this August.
