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It's Mile High vs. Big Apple

Rivalry down to two for city that will host Democrats' big bash

Alan Gathright, Rocky Mountain News

Published September 28, 2006 at midnight

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Denver and New York City are in a head-to-head competition to host the 2008 Democratic National Convention after Republicans on Wednesday picked a third competitor, Minneapolis-St. Paul, to hold their presidential-nominating bash.

The Twin Cities had been vying for the Democratic event, too. But the GOP choice automatically knocks Minneapolis-St. Paul out of the DNC running under the party's bid rules - and that suits Denver backers just fine.

"It helps Denver immensely," said Debbie Willhite, executive director of the Denver 2008 Host Committee. "We're very happy for Minneapolis-St. Paul. And we look forward to the rest of the selection process that will bring the convention to Denver."

Now the rivalry ratchets up between the Mile High City and the Big Apple. The Democratic National Committee will announce a winner before the end of the year.

"We're fortunate to have two great bids from two great cities," said DNC spokesman Damien LaVera. "We're looking forward to working with both New York and Denver and picking the city that has the best bid."

"(Denver) is a strong city with a strong bid, strong mayor," LaVera said, referring to Mayor John Hickenlooper, who's become a rising political star as a pro-business Democrat who has forged successful, bipartisan regional coalitions.

Key Democrats, including DNC Chairman Howard Dean, have talked up a Denver convention as a springboard for swinging a Mountain West region viewed as key to winning back the White House in 2008.

Local supporters say it can't hurt that Colorado Democratic gubernatorial candidate Bill Ritter and suburban Denver congressional candidate Ed Perlmutter have double-digit leads in polls tracking their efforts to take seats long held by Republicans.

"I think that Denver has the appeal of being in a red state that is turning bluer and bluer by the minute," Willhite said.

"And we think it will become very blue come Nov. 8," she added in a reference to the day after the general election.

Denver City Councilwoman Elbra Wedgeworth, president of the Denver 2008 Host Committee, put it simply: "It's our time and our turn. We have a strong bid, wonderful infrastructure and great people."

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