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Invesco venue may provide Democrats with another first

Rocky Mountain News

Published July 8, 2008 at 12:05 a.m.

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Barack Obama promised a different kind of politics - and no matter how well he ultimately lives up to that vow, at least he's certain to bring a different kind of nominating convention to Denver.

By moving the final night of the Democratic National Convention Aug. 28 to Invesco Field at Mile High from the Pepsi Center, Obama may address the largest crowd to witness a U.S. presidential nominee deliver his acceptance speech.

Invesco holds 76,000 spectators for football, and can accommodate thousands more in on-field seating. So it's possible the crowd attending Obama's speech will eclipse the estimated 80,000 who heard John F. Kennedy accept the Democratic nomination at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in 1960.

Moving the convention's final event to Invesco will also give tens of thousands of people who are neither party insiders nor credentialed members of the media an opportunity to attend. Indeed, we're happy to learn that the Democrats said they would set aside a substantial block of tickets for Colorado residents. Members of the general public will be able to see the nominee in person.

Changing the venue at this relatively late date will, however, pose additional challenges to organizers and the agencies responsible for the security of the nominee, his entourage, attendees and those nearby.

Among the questions that remain fully unresolved:

* Who will pay for the added security? Democratic Party Chairman Howard Dean said Monday that the convention host committee is responsible for those costs, with the money coming from the party and the Obama campaign.

That's as it should be; taxpayers should not be expected to foot the bill for what amounts to a really large, four-day private party. City officials need to hold Dean and Democratic donors to that pledge.

* How much will traffic patterns have to be shifted to accommodate commuters and other drivers - not to mention those who want to attend the speech that night?

Obama won't be the only person on the bill. No fewer than 15 speakers preceded the acceptance speech by Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., on the final night of the 2004 Democratic National Convention.

Because Invesco is an open-air stadium and Obama's speech will attract thousands more attendees than the convention's other events, establishing a security perimeter could shut down several of the city's main arteries during evening rush hour.

Any planned traffic diversions should be announced well in advance, giving travelers plenty of time to map alternate routes.

* Finally, what about the protesters? It has taken several months for government officials to decide on parade routes and demonstration sites. And those were set when the conventions' main evening events were scheduled at the Pepsi Center. As of last week, three convention-related lawsuits filed by the American Civil Liberties Union were still pending.

With a separate venue added for the final night, will protesters be afforded access to the grounds at Invesco? If so, will the demonstration sites satisfy legitimate civil liberties concerns without inconveniencing those who want to witness the speech? Or will protesters be relegated to remote locations, thus sparking still more lawsuits?

Obama's acceptance speech will be a historic event. With sound planning, it shouldn't leave Denverites reeling in its wake.

Comments

  • July 8, 2008

    6:12 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Shadow writes:

    Nothing nnew here. Another atempt by the Obama crowd to try and compare Obama to a real leader. That of JFK.

    To bad it is a viel attempt at nothing. Kennedy was a real man of the people and a leader.

  • July 8, 2008

    7:52 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    SheikYurBooty writes:

    It's true this will cost more, but on the bright side think of the $$ McCain will save with his plan to move his acceptance speech to a phone booth. And with McCain, no traffic disruptions are anticipated.

  • July 8, 2008

    8:58 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Craig writes:

    Mile High Stadium is ideal for Obama's acceptance speech. Clearly evocative of JFK's outdoor acceptance speech in the LA Coliseum in 1960 and on the 40th anniversary of MLK's outdoor I Have A Dream speech, the cosmetic effect, may seem shameless to some but Obama supporters will love it. It's a great idea and will make great TV.

  • July 8, 2008

    9 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    T1anda writes:

    Will people who attend this blowhard event be required to sing the "Black National Anthem"?? Lol!!

  • July 8, 2008

    10:17 a.m.

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    Ofearghail writes:

    Will the far-left loons, socialists, homosexuals, multinationalists, environuts, and all the other assorted sideshow acts of the Democratic party actually consent to going into a venue with such an evil, capitalis name as "Invesco" written all over it?

  • July 8, 2008

    10:40 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Craig writes:

    Ofearghail @10:17 AM,

    The INVESCO Corporation is not exactly Marxist. It's those on the political right who are most likely to be amenable to a corporate logo being placed on a public works project. Involuntary public subsidizing of promotion for Invesco is not something most mainstream Democrats support.

    As for the Denver press, it has been neutered in its competitive fever to curry favor with a pro football organization that is almost a regional religion. I suppose that basic American civics is still taught in journalism schools these days but I'm not absolutely sure.

  • July 8, 2008

    11:06 a.m.

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    Craig writes:

    As for me, I'll refer to Denver's football stadium as the Roman Coliseum before I'll ever call it Invesco Field. But I'll be delighted to see Barak Obama deliver his acceptance speech in Mile High Stadium. I can't forget that old Mile High magic.

  • July 8, 2008

    12:25 p.m.

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    DenverDan writes:

    I love how people on the Right turn something cool like this into something bad. Why are they so mad? I think a hint of color freaks them out. This is 2008 not 1948.

  • July 8, 2008

    12:46 p.m.

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    comickey writes:

    What an exciting time ahead of us...to showcase our wonderful city and to have the opportunity to hear our next POTUS on our home turf.

    Makes me very proud of our country.

  • July 8, 2008

    1:05 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    catlady writes:

    Froward,

    Dems have NOT:
    -restored the federal surplus- that was the Contract with America and the Republicans. Nice try though.
    -restored respect around the world. They did manage to help make us the punchline of several nice BJ jokes. Lewinski!
    -hunted anything, much less Bin Laden, unless there was for a campaign photo op. (John Kerry in designer hunting togs anyone?)
    -repaired the economy. Actually...the only candidate who seems to be making enrodes here is McCain. (He at least wants a balanced budget) I submit that the Economic Nobel Prize winning Flaccidity of Government Thesis shows that no president has the power to 'fix' the economy. If you believe Obama can fix the economy then I have a condo in Aurora I'd like to sell you.
    -brought jobs back to America. NAFTA=Bill Clinton
    -provided unverisal health care. Although I wonder if the Vets using the VA can tell us how well government managed care works?
    -gotten us of Oil or any fossil fuel. Carter did nothing and Clinton/Gore did even less.

    Froward, I would like to recommend a little book called 1984. You are a brainwashed member of the Party. >pathetic<

  • July 8, 2008

    1:33 p.m.

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    anarchist writes:

    catlady, dont bother to confront him with facts or quotes especiially from obama, he much prefers rhetoric to fact, and thinks if proclaims lies loud and long they become fact, so save your breath.

  • July 8, 2008

    2:47 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    dilligaf writes:

    SASQUATCH
    Those approval ratings are based on what they haven't been able to do what the people sent them to do and that is to get us out of Iraq. Well because of your clown in the White House and his veto pin a lot of things they have tried to get done has failed. The average person don't see that they just think they aren't doing anything. Get Bushy boy out of the way and watch what happens.
    Obama 08

  • July 8, 2008

    5:54 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    jagerheister27 writes:

    You know, all extra money the dems are spending for this "Big Event" could be used to feed families, build homes, take care of the injured war veterans. But then again, that won't make you a president will it.

  • July 8, 2008

    8:49 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    titancain writes:

    We, the American peole will be there cheering our future President. If you don't like it, move to the new travel destination, Iraq! I'm sooooo funny! How many rightwingers would actually risk their life in Iraq? LMFAO!

  • July 8, 2008

    10:19 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Mike846 writes:

    Yeah, its going to make great TV. Wait until the "Re-create '68" crowd and other assorted rowdies start to make their play for the camera's. As for B. Hussein Obama's pathetic attempt to clothe himself in the mantle of JFK and MLK, nice try, but no sale. I happen to disagree with everything Obama stands for; but I respect him even less after watching him win the primaries with ONE set of principals, and now leaving his base behind because he knows he has to present a "centrist" image if he's to have a chance at all to win in November. Socialists cannot win an election in the United States if they speak their true agenda; hence his move to the middle. And, like an old record, I keep saying, if he so much as stubs his toe between now and August, Hillary will be waiting to slip the banana peel under his feet and step into his place. It ain't over 'till the fat lady sings, and Hillary has NOT left the building. Mike

  • July 9, 2008

    1:39 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    tjcll writes:

    Yea baby!! I had it in the back of my mind that Barack would make his acceptance speech at Mile High!! A great speech under the blue Colorado skies with the sun setting on the Rockies, maybe cool breaze or two for a hint of Autumn. To John McCain and his dwindling supporters!! "Can't touch this!!!"

  • July 9, 2008

    6:15 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    anarchist writes:

    Froward, "the tipe of stuff I read from 1960 and the things preached by the republicans then... it strikes me you would have never supported JFK" what "tipe" of stuff did you read in your coloring book? Was it about the war crime JFK committed ( bay of pigs), he had no authorization from congress to invade a foreign nation, and blundered it. Much the same as Jimmy Carter, that you claim falsly freed the hostages in Iran. With a looming democrat as the next president no wonder theres a recent escalation in Afganistan. obama 08

  • July 9, 2008

    8:43 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    DenverGal writes:

    Barack Obama's campaign is about the voters who want change in our government. Obama understands so deeply the vision of our founders when they risked their lives to form this great United States of America. Obama is a leader of a lifetime and I’m so excited about being a part of it. Opening up this venue to about 60,000 more regular citizens is an excellent idea.

  • July 9, 2008

    8:58 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    anarchist writes:

    DenverGal, does that include members of recreate68, black bloc, tent state?

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