DNC move to Invesco is costly
By Sara Burnett, Rocky Mountain News (Contact), David Montero, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Published July 8, 2008 at 12:05 a.m.
Updated July 8, 2008 at 10:05 a.m.
Will you try to get a ticket to Obama's speech?
The move of Barack Obama's nomination speech to Invesco Field from the Pepsi Center could drive up the cost of staging the Democratic National Convention by $3 million, sources say.
That figure is a fluid estimate, factoring in baseline costs such as rental for the stadium, building it out for the event, security systems and extra personnel.
"Obviously there will be some additional costs," said Mayor John Hickenlooper. "The major cost is personnel - though most of the personnel we will be able to move over from the Pepsi Center to (Invesco Field)."
Hickenlooper said extra metal detectors would be needed as well as security personnel to man them.
The decision to move the final day of the convention left many other logistical details unsettled.
Among them were how seats inside Invesco will be distributed to the public, if roads around the stadium will be closed and how the Secret Service and Denver police will secure the larger venue.
Ed Donovan, a spokesman for the Secret Service, said the agency isn't worried.
It provided security for Pope Benedict during his visit to Nationals Park and Yankee Stadium, as well as the Olympics and Super Bowls, he said.
He also said it's not uncommon, even on presidential details, for plans to change suddenly.
"We're very comfortable with being able to change plans at the last minute," Donovan said.
Confirmation of the switch Monday from the Obama campaign drew a tip of the hat from the Illinois senator's Republican rival, Sen. John McCain.
McCain, who was in Denver hosting a town hall event, said the venue change played into his theory that he's "the underdog in this race" and that it wouldn't cause changes in planning for his convention in Minneapolis-St. Paul just days later.
"I'm sure he'll give a great speech," McCain said. "He is a very talented speaker and I admire that."
Rumors of the move from the Pepsi Center to Invesco started last week and heightened concerns that planning for the convention was chaotic. Democratic National Chairman Howard Dean acknowledged that not all convention planning goes smoothly, but said the switch to Invesco Field would not have been undertaken if planners didn't think it could work.
Invesco Field, which seats more than 76,000, would likely be needed for the week before the nomination speech on Aug. 28, according to Steve Farber, a member of the executive committee that governs the Denver 2008 Host Committee.
Farber said there wouldn't be any changes in the rental of the Pepsi Center, which now will be dark the night of Obama's speech, because the contract called for the DNCC to take possession of the arena this week and end it Sept. 15.
Natalie Wyeth, spokeswoman for the DNCC, said the Pepsi Center was "bursting at the seams" with media, delegates and party officials that were to attend the final night of the convention.
The Pepsi Center was to hold roughly 20,000 delegates, media and party officials. All will be transferred to Invesco, leaving about 56,000 seats that could be available to the public.
It's unknown how the public will get a chance to view the event. The Obama campaign is expected to make an announcement in the next couple of days about ticket distribution.
The host committee didn't meet its contractual obligation to raise $40.6 million by last month to put on the convention and now must cover the additional cost of the Invesco Field event.
"The host committee will raise the money, but they'll have a lot of help" from the Obama campaign, Dean said.
Meanwhile the American Civil Liberties Union, which represents 13 protest groups, said the change could raise new issues in an ongoing First Amendment lawsuit against the city and the Secret Service.
"The same issues we're raising with the Pepsi Center will be there with Invesco Field," said Mark Silverstein, legal director for the ACLU of Colorado.
Protesters want to be within sight and sound of delegates at the convention, wherever it's held, Silverstein said.
Hickenlooper said Monday a new protest zone will be designated at Invesco Field.
Who gets a ticket?
*
No decisions
have been made, but of the approximately 76,000 seats:
*
About 20,000
will go to delegates and other people credentialed for the convention at the Pepsi Center.
*
First dibs
on the remaining seats likely will go to people who have supported Obama in Western states, especially Colorado. That could include volunteers and key contributors.
*
Obama's campaign
on Monday said it will raffle off trips to Denver, a seat at the convention and a chance to meet Obama backstage to 10 people.
*
Anyone who donates $5
or more is eligible, and each of the 10 winners may bring a guest.
*
More details
will be released in coming weeks.
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July 8, 2008
6:04 a.m.
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squeakywheel writes:
Three million dollars is a drop in the bucket compared to what it's going to cost the country to satisfy Obama's massive ego if he wins.
July 8, 2008
6:45 a.m.
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alwaysright writes:
What the heck it's only tax payers money. Spend it like there is no tomorrow.
July 8, 2008
9:57 a.m.
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Mtn__Gator writes:
It's not his money, so why would he care, we'll end up paying for this clown and his circus...
July 8, 2008
10:13 a.m.
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DenverDan writes:
Cry cry cry I love it. Bring out the haters.
July 8, 2008
10:27 a.m.
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Steph writes:
Considering what YOUR president has pulled over the last 7.5 years, you have absolutely no right to criticize anything Obama's going to do. Is there any President who "spent like there's no tomorrow" worse than little chimpy?
History will not be kind to this Administration nor to the idiots who defend it. YOU HAVE NO CREDIBILITY.
July 8, 2008
10:39 a.m.
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Dick_Tater writes:
Can we charge at the gate? The place it set up for it. Why are we footing the bill?
July 8, 2008
10:51 a.m.
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danirobi writes:
First the DNC is taking down the pepsi center and rebuilding it, now they're going to take down Investco. I wonder what other spors venue the DNC can just rip apart for the sake of their "Outdoor Convention". Obama is a joke! It doesn't matter what this man has or hasn't (mostly hasn't) done, the media loves him.
Just how much Senate experience does Barack Obama have in terms of actual work days? From the time Barack Obama was sworn in as a United States Senator, to the time he announced he was forming a Presidential exploratory committee, he logged 143 days…143 days of work experience, and Obama believes he is ready to be Commander In Chief, Leader of the Free World, and fill the shoes of Abraham Lincoln, FDR, JFK and Ronald Reagan. 143 days! John McCain's 26 years in Congress, 22 years of military service including 1,966 days in captivity as a POW in Hanoi now seem more impressive than ever.
July 8, 2008
10:51 a.m.
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JP1985 writes:
So nobody is allowed to talk about Obama just because Bush did a terrible job? We better be criticizing everything that both candidates are going to do, regardless of what the last guy did. What kind of blind logic are you following, Steph?
July 8, 2008
10:58 a.m.
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BroncoRick69 writes:
Name something good that chimpy has done in his tenure.
July 8, 2008
10:59 a.m.
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junglegymco writes:
alwaysright (should be alwayswrong) - NO TAXPAYER MONEY IS BEING SPENT ON THE MOVE.
"The host committee didn't meet its contractual obligation to raise $40.6 million by last month to put on the convention and now must cover the additional cost of the Invesco Field event.
"The host committee will raise the money, but they'll have a lot of help" from the Obama campaign, Dean said.
THIS IS NOT A TAXPAYER FUNDED EVENT, YOU IDIOTS. UNLIKE THE TAXPAYERS HELPING TO PAY TO BUILD A STADIUM FOR THE "FOR-PROFIT" SPORTS TEAMS.
July 8, 2008
11:05 a.m.
Suggest removal
danirobi writes:
Obama's new ad that airing all over the place if full of lies and the media refuses to report it. Obama only worked summer jobs at the tax payers expense while in college. He takes credit for welfare reform in IL that rolled it back 80%...oh wait, records show that in 1996 Obama opposed the IL reform act.
Sounds kind of like John Kerry...I was for the war before I was against it....
July 8, 2008
11:24 a.m.
Suggest removal
GoodNewsState writes:
My brother-in-law had to cancel attendance at the annual family vacation because of the move of venue. He is an Aurora cop summoned to duty to protect Obama. I wonder which way he will vote now.
Democratic collateral damage I guess…..
July 8, 2008
11:31 a.m.
Suggest removal
LoneTreeLady75 writes:
Goodnews,
Your brother-in-law shouldnt be allowed to vote if he's going to base his decision off of which party "ruined" his vacation. Real American voters base their decisions off of who they believe is fit to lead the country, not which candidate is a convenience to them.
July 8, 2008
11:43 a.m.
Suggest removal
HSTOWEL writes:
This clown is trying to look Kennedyesque and/or fashion his image in the manner of Dr Martin Luther King. It won't work.
July 8, 2008
11:49 a.m.
Suggest removal
dilligaf writes:
Big deal!!! All of you whiners know anything about business? Every State & City is in business to bring business to there State to create revenue. Do you know how many more people in this country that when they heard it was moving to Mile High made plans to come here. Hotels that where not already sold out jumped with joy. Restaurants got smiles on their faces and that is just to name a couple big vender's. All I see is all the negative figures that all you CPA's out there come out with but nobody will do enough research on what will it generate. Put your hate for the Democrats to the side and look at it if you where a business owner. Now I don't expect people like Marinegrunt,Gene,Sasquach to be able to do this. It will take a little bit of thought to do this.
July 8, 2008
11:54 a.m.
Suggest removal
HSTOWEL writes:
Froward's statement: "YOUR candidate mcSame was fervently against the new GI bill. Now he is attempting to take credit for it."
Another lefty lie. McCain had his own GI Bill that he supported and still does. McCain didn't want people to leave the military after one enlistment and head off to college. His proposal rewards people based on the number of years of service and attempts to influence people to stay in the military for longer periods of service. His bill makes sense and the other doesn't. I'm guessing that Froward has never served in the military and wouldn't understand the logic of attempting to keep trained people within the military and reward them based on their length of service. Also Froward is probably not aware that there are many opportunities for people serving on active duty to attend college for free while on active duty. Once again he's another lefty who knows nothing about what he speaks.
July 8, 2008
11:58 a.m.
Suggest removal
I_Slay_The_Dragon writes:
For THE last time: Referring to a self-glorified politician
as a "messiah", is blasphemous.
Steph...It's not the "spending" contest you describe, the idea
is for politicians NOT to waste the tax-payers money.
Either on a costly oil-driven War, or on a really big nomination
"production".
HSTowel....How long will they disrespect the memory of President
Kennedy, for the sake for an ABSURD inaccuracy?
July 8, 2008
11:59 a.m.
Suggest removal
danirobi writes:
Froward69- When did I ever say I was a big supporter of McCain?
I'm not a big fan of McCain, never have been. McCain/Feingold is against my right to give money to whoever I want. Amnesty for illegals, hmm pass. Obama on the other breaks his campaign promises on finances, ie. public fundraising to private fundraising
Sorry to point out actual facts.
July 8, 2008
12:14 p.m.
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LesterGovernment writes:
Don't forget the hookers. Their business will get the biggest bump from this convention.
July 8, 2008
12:17 p.m.
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danirobi writes:
Colfax will be a pretty happening place...
July 8, 2008
12:17 p.m.
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ashlandbus writes:
You are correct LesterGovernment.... the hookers will get a nice boost, but not as much as those in Minnesota...
July 8, 2008
12:19 p.m.
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DenverDan writes:
danirobi
I dont like McCain, I just hate Obama. I dont like football I just hate the Broncos. Sh@t or get off the pot.
July 8, 2008
12:26 p.m.
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dilligaf writes:
ashlandbus
Besides they will have to have security stationed at all the men's bathrooms at the airport in Minnesota.
July 8, 2008
12:31 p.m.
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chuckyg writes:
Great move Oblabla
Raise the cost of the DNC at your big headed will. He is already showing his true power hungery colors. All you defending his Majesty "The Masia of BS" "The Flip Flop King" should be the ones to pay for his new venue change.
July 8, 2008
12:37 p.m.
Suggest removal
chuckyg writes:
Did anyone look at the Q poll results so far?
That is making my day :-) Who would want to see The big O spew crap out of his mouth?
July 8, 2008
12:38 p.m.
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JP1985 writes:
I forgot everybody is forced to love one candidate and one candidate only. You can't criticize Obama since McCain isn't perfect either!
It's odd that Obama supporters never have anything good to say about him. They'd rather avoid the subject of Obama altogether.
July 8, 2008
1:04 p.m.
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MarcoPolo writes:
McCain supporters don't have anything good to say about him either. What's your point, JP?
July 8, 2008
1:18 p.m.
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chuckyg writes:
Marco:
We have a lot of good to say about McCain. He wants the Bush cuts permanent, He wants less taxes, He wants off-shore drilling, he want to tap in country oil shelvs, He wants more money for alternative fuel research, He has the experiance to be a true Cammander-n-Chief
July 8, 2008
1:22 p.m.
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MarcoPolo writes:
Yay for the rich white people!
July 8, 2008
1:39 p.m.
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newshound writes:
Well, good thing the DNC has all of their finances in order....wait, no I'm sorry they still haven't raised enough money for the Convention. Let's tag on another $3 million as if they weren't in debt enough. If you can't raise enough money to cover the cost of a week long event, then what makes the people trust that you will lead the USA into financial stability. I hope it rains like crazy at Invesco.
July 8, 2008
1:41 p.m.
Suggest removal
chuckyg writes:
Hey Moranco:
Taxes effect everyone not just rich people!
MarcoPolo writes:
Yay for the rich white people!
Spoken like a true liberal idiot
July 8, 2008
1:44 p.m.
Suggest removal
chuckyg writes:
Where are all the lib trash talkers to back up the move and already over budgeted DNC?
July 8, 2008
2:04 p.m.
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MarcoPolo writes:
chickyg: You don't support the rich white people?
What a republican retard.
July 8, 2008
2:08 p.m.
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Darwin writes:
Steph writes: "Considering what YOUR president has pulled over the last 7.5 years, you have absolutely no right to criticize anything Obama's going to do. Is there any President who "spent like there's no tomorrow" worse than little chimpy?"
History will not be kind to this Administration nor to the idiots who defend it. YOU HAVE NO CREDIBILITY.
Ah, but Steph, I have credibility. Like hajk, I recognize that neither the Democrats nor the Republicans are worth a twit and that their only interest is to feast on gourmet while the country is fed slop. Check out their pay, work schedule, health care benefits, retirement benefits, etc. So you also, obamamama, have no credibility.
July 8, 2008
2:10 p.m.
Suggest removal
MarcoPolo writes:
chuckyg writes:
Where are all the lib trash talkers to back up the move and already over budgeted DNC?
They're all overseas fighting your over-budgeted war in Iraq.
What a republican retard.
July 8, 2008
2:18 p.m.
Suggest removal
chuckyg writes:
Is that the best you can do Marco?
Please?
I can't wait for the Clinton bomb that is comming soon to de-throne the Big O.
July 8, 2008
2:20 p.m.
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MarcoPolo writes:
Truth hurts, eh chicky?
July 8, 2008
2:46 p.m.
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chuckyg writes:
Marco are you kidding me? Your a complete idiot.
Are you saying everyone overseas is a Liberal Democrat?
What a stupid comment!
I suppose next you will say they were all forced to go to Iraq by gun point.
July 8, 2008
3:12 p.m.
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chuckyg writes:
Big D:
Are you telling me the Oil prices went down? No way, I thought the libs blame the Rich fat cats for the cost of Oil.
And all Oil investers are Republican?
I thought all you libs thought it was Bushes fault we are paying the high cost of Gas? Are you feeling ok?
July 8, 2008
3:38 p.m.
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chuckyg writes:
D: Your very informed I must say, but you didn't lose me. You just get more of a chance to read then I do. I suppose that the Big O is going to save us all from the high cost of oil, and if he is elected the economy will be alll better?
July 8, 2008
4:14 p.m.
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chuckyg writes:
YIOTA: You have once again sent the liberal screaming and crying.
You scared him away. He must of went to pout some where.
July 8, 2008
4:40 p.m.
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Alive writes:
Man, I hate haters. I mean, you can tell a hater by their hate. I hate that! I hate every hater out there! All of you with your nasty hate 'n' stuff. Haters!
July 8, 2008
4:43 p.m.
Suggest removal
JP1985 writes:
The rich white people are doing just fine with high gas prices. It's the poor people that are having to change their lives around the gas they can afford. If McCain wants to increase domestic oil production and decrease taxes, which would bring down the price of gasoline, how is it only the rich white people that win? Typical liberal reponse is that republican tax breaks only help the rich.
I'm not even sure democrats understand what tax breaks are (or what supply and demand are) anymore. They don't even try to comprehend basic economic concepts and just spout off about helping the rich. Get something new already.
July 9, 2008
11:28 a.m.
Suggest removal
jay writes:
"Why has the cost of oil risen so much since the democrats took over the senate and the house?
Why did the housing market tank after the dems took over the senate and the house?
Why did the dems back the bail out of the mortgage companies?
Why has the value of the dollar dropped so much since the dems have taken over the senate and the house?
After 9/11 the economy started slowly coming back and was doing realatively well until the dems took over"
i see a lot of right wing folks trying to lay the blame for conservative/republican failures at the feet of the dems...but when you corner then, they can't tell you why we should do that.
yiota...which dem policy decision over the last 2 years do you believe are responsible for the failures we've seen after so many years of republican reign?
my guess is you can't give us any.