Take Denver off the hook, Sen. Obama
Rocky Mountain News
Published June 20, 2008 at 6:06 p.m.
Make the calls to your donors, Sen. Obama. Send the e-mails. Denver should no longer be on the hook for Democratic National Convention expenses. A few exhortations to your supporters could quickly retire the city's remaining obligations.
After all, Denver is simply providing the venue for Barack Obama's nomination. It's his party. It's only appropriate to ask his contributors to ensure that the celebration is a rousing success.
The presumptive nominee has raised a jaw-dropping $265 million for his fall campaign, smashing previous records. And reliable estimates say he might drum up that much more for the November race.
Meantime, at last report, Denver's convention host committee was about $11 million short of the $40 million it pledged to provide in cash for the August confab.
Why the deficit? Some cite the stagnant economy. Others note that Denver has fewer major corporate headquarters than other recent host cities; large businesses like to see their company logos featured prominently during network coverage.
Finally - this may be the most relevant reason - the prolonged nomination battle between Obama and Sen. Hillary Clinton prevented donors of the eventual nominee from sending checks to the convention's host city.
So opportunity is knocking. And making such an appeal is not unusual. Former Democratic National Committee Chairman Terry McAuliffe, who directed fundraising for both Bill Clinton's 1996 re-election and Sen. Hillary Clinton's recent presidential campaign, helped Philadelphia and Boston meet their goals when those cities hosted the conventions of 2000 and 2004, respectively.
The Obama team could shake the sofa cushions at his headquarters, relatively speaking, and go a long way toward meeting the city's goal. Think about it: Denver's $11 million shortfall might be 2 percent of the money the senator will raise during the campaign.
Moreover, Obama's decision Thursday to reject public financing will let him tap a wider range of donors, large and small. With public financing, Obama could spend a mere $84 million for the general election. Now, thousands of new donors can participate.
That said, Obama has received roughly a third of his money from donors contributing $1,000 or more. They can give up to $2,300 as individuals or $4,600 as married couples for the November campaign.
Those who have maxed out have another outlet. They can help Denver and guarantee that Obama doesn't take a PR hit for sticking it to his host city.
By the way, St. Paul, Minn., the Republican National Convention's host city, has its own worries. The Twin Cities' host committee reported Monday it had commitments for $31 million, but some of that included "in-kind" contributions such as phone lines, food and computer services. Denver may be in better shape because its $29 million is all cash.
The nominees of both parties should ask their donors to retire any remaining debt. Leaving Denver (or St. Paul) with open tabs would send a clear but unfortunate message to other cities of similar size that might consider hosting a future presidential convention: Forget about it.
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June 20, 2008
7:44 p.m.
Suggest removal
windskull writes:
It may be my faltering eyesight but it would appear the author/reporter neglected to give their name and as for trying to pass the buck onto Senator Obama`s shoulders you might as well try to blame a bronco fan for parking fees if you want to castigate anyone in this venture it should be the promoter and officials that booked this fiasco knowing full well the money wasn`t there in advance and that brings up the issue of security bonds...car dealers and bailbondsmen as well as venue promoters are required to carry these sureties for just such occasions,WELL?!?
June 20, 2008
8:31 p.m.
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Sweetpickle writes:
It's the Denver way, get somebody else to fix it.
June 20, 2008
8:49 p.m.
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peterpi writes:
windskull, there is no named author/reporter. It's an editorial.
At first, I thought the editorial writer was being facetious or sarcastic. Then I realized he or she was being serious.
I have news for the RMN: It's not Obama's duty to bail out Denver.
June 20, 2008
11:07 p.m.
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geriatric1943 writes:
Denver wanted the Convention and they got it. Now Denver's complaining about the cost? Give me a break! Let's hope Denver never wants some other trophy, like the Olympics.
June 21, 2008
3:36 a.m.
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Jim writes:
Let the airlines, hotels, retailers, cab companies, restaurants, Deane, etc. pick up the tab or let the convention go the way of te '72 winter olympics. I don't want one penny of my contribution going to the DNC. Denver should have been more careful about what it wished for.
June 21, 2008
4:56 a.m.
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roger44 writes:
Denver opened their mouth, now live with it.
June 21, 2008
9:37 a.m.
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jacka writes:
Billionairess Pat Stryker, where are you? What is $10 million to someone who (alone) controls $1.5 billion? Come on call on your family members to chip in.
Colorado Corporate pukes who have funded this to date, step up deliver for your freinds. How can you expect continued corporate handouts, big government contracts, growing subsidies. Its is all in the name of sustainable growth and a sustainable business model - your new mantra.
Billionaire George Soros, where are you? What is $10 million to you?
Billionaire Bill Gates, where are you?
Billionaire Google and Yahoo 30-somethings, where are you?
Billionaire and multi millionaire Democrats living in your Telluride, Aspen and Vail hideawawys, where are you?
June 21, 2008
10:10 a.m.
Suggest removal
rickg19611 writes:
Obama lied and said he would only use federal campaign funds. Now citizens know Obama was lying.
Obama lied and said he would not force taxpayers to pay for Democrat Fatcat Drunkfest 2008 in Denver. Now citizens know Obama was lying.
Obama lied and said he never knew his racist preacher was a racist. Now citizens know Obama was lying.
Obama is a proven liar. And citizens know it.
June 21, 2008
10:58 a.m.
Suggest removal
mytwosense writes:
I don't understand why the DNC and RNC don't pick up the full tabs for their respective conventions. Yes, I know that these events generate economic activity wherever they are held, but I've also heard that advance estimates on just how much are often over-estimated.
If you are not a supporter of the Democrats, you should not have to pay for their political convention through your tax dollars. Likewise, if you're not a supporter of the Republicans, you shouldn't have to pay for their convention through your tax dollars.
And we wonder why third parties have such a hard time getting off the ground in this country. The two major parties have all the funds locked up.
June 21, 2008
12:01 p.m.
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anarchist writes:
Froward, the democrats and republicans are plotting against you personally, they really are, it is not your imagination running wild, they really are after you. The Democrats fiscal plans come to light with the shortfall funding and lies of obama, he wants to keeps troops in iraq also, his own website says so, and possibly increase the numbers later, how will he finance that, the same way the democrats are this fiasco, I mean, convention? Wheres Nancy Pelosi, Harry Ried, they fixed the nomination voting (Florida and Michigan) why cant they fix this? Why cant they fix gas prices, why hasnt obama raised his arma and parted the flood waters of the mississippi?
"Those who cast the votes decide nothing. Those who count the votes decide everything." Josef Stalin
June 21, 2008
12:47 p.m.
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anarchist writes:
Froward,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HyQqg_...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27f0Ii...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SX3f2...
June 21, 2008
1:27 p.m.
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anarchist writes:
Poll: Schaffer continues to lose ground
By Michael Riley
The Denver Post
"In a campaign that's likely to be one of the most expensive Senate races in state history, both sides concede it's early and that the contest will be significantly influenced by a head-to-head presidential race that's just beginning. (A separate Rasmussen poll of 500 likely Colorado voters released Thursday showed Democrat Barack Obama with a narrow — 43 percent to 41 percent — edge over Republican John McCain in the fall battleground state.)
"No one is reaching for the panic button yet," said Sean Duffy, Republican strategist and former aide to Gov. Bill Owens, of the Senate race. "Where the turnaround can happen is how does Bob really connect with the average person on the issues they are going to vote on and break through the propensity of the other team to drop a panel on him every day?" Duffy said.
"You've got not just Congressman Udall, who's raising and spending quite a bit, but you have a number of extremely aggressive groups on the other side" to contend with, he said.
Maybe the democrats donating to Udall are the culprits?
June 21, 2008
1:29 p.m.
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mytwosense writes:
Gene: "Of course, being a City and County of Denver resident, I realize that it is my money they promised."
Yeah, and to add insult to injury, you're not even allowed into the event you're helping to pay for. It's closed to the public, i.e., the taxpayers, unless you're an invited delegate.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the same goes for the RNC conventions.
It's utter BS and just another reason why third parties need to be a serious consideration in this country.
June 21, 2008
2:36 p.m.
Suggest removal
anarchist writes:
Froward, "Both republican and Democratic events are high security venues. Getting elected to attend." , like Florida and Michigans delegates, remind Me, was obamas name on the Michigan ballot, and how many delegates was he awarded from Michigan, elected to attend?
"Those who cast the votes decide nothing. Those who count the votes decide everything" Josef Stalin, seems Nancy and Harry adhere to that philosophy on behalf of obama.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6C9Ek...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_S5Stl...
June 21, 2008
9:43 p.m.
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usaproud writes:
TAKE A MOMENT FOR THE TROOPS...WATCH THIS VIDEO I FOUND: AN AMERICAN SOLDIER
http://g.dwgsee.com/wake/index.htm
June 21, 2008
10:57 p.m.
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freethinker07 writes:
Think of it as another broken promise by politicians.
June 22, 2008
12:49 a.m.
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clyde writes:
Oh, for God's sake Backward. If there was any proof, you libs would have had it emblazoned on Mt. Rushmore by now. You've wasted 8 years being delusional of Bush because Algore wasn't able to steal an election. You lost, get over it. You're right up there with the "Bush rigged the WTC to collapse as a Controlled Demolition" moonbats. If there was ANY proof or ANY reason for impeachment do you really think Pelosi and Dean wouldn't have come all over themselves to bring it on? At least come back a little bit towards reality. The moment you say "stolen election" you have labeled and marginalized youself out of the conversation. There are actually clinical reasons that people become this delusional and obsessed.
June 22, 2008
4:45 a.m.
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windskull writes:
you are absolutely right clyde, don`t know how old you are but the delusional thoughts you speak of manifest from the early 1980`s when Reagan took away yours or your parents thorazine and it`s pretty clear none of you were around for the birth of Federico Pena`s legacy DIA. That was another of Denver`s broken promises that it would pay for... But lo & behold not only did they re neg on that we all ended up buying the damn place 3 times over yet it still is not paid for and last word we saw out here on the Eastern Plains was after wasting all that money $25k/per tree if memory serves the Airport Director was begging anyone to come and take them away for free and for the selective memory Republican sect YOU DID IT with cooperation from the small d Democrats little more than sell out shills who helped gut the tobacco settlement and let Owens stick tax payers for penthouse hospital suites that refuse all insurance perched atop Rose Memorial complete with private gourmet chefs and each room is assigned a doctor at the beckoning 24/7 that no one can afford as the cost starts at $4700/day not to mention those who could pay that sure as hell would not be at that roach haven they`d be at the Mayo Clinic or Johns Hopkins
June 22, 2008
11:36 a.m.
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anarchist writes:
Froward, "anarchist, Florida and Michigan are represented as fairly as possible setting aside the fact Republicans were responsible for Breaking the rules to begin with.", so it was the republicans that ruled that obama recieve votes from Michigan where his name wasn't even on the ballot, and furthermore that to do so was "fair" and democratic, and not in fact an application of the socialist philosophy of leaders like Josef Stalin? The 2000 vote was decided by constitutional law before the supreme court, do you propose "we" throw away the constitution and bill of rights now to avoid the rush after obama is elected, if he is. They hung their chads in Florida and Al hung his head along with millions of supporters. Payback by the Democrats to Florida for 2000 by the democrats? Popular vote doesnt win, electoral vote does, do you propose "we" forgo that pesky bit of the "American way" and recind it in favor of obama?
Windskull, didn't obama appoint pena to a post within his "cabinet"?
June 22, 2008
6:24 p.m.
Suggest removal
Chacmool writes:
By 9/11/09 every world problem will be on "on your watch" bleeding hearts. Every cloud in the sky, hurricane, terrorist attack, job loss and foreclosure will be your "on your watch". Will public school test scores or drop out rates be improved? Will Al Qaeda have surrendered? Surely all world problems will disappear. You have the congress, govenorships, most big city mayors and state legislaturs already. What have you accomplished? If not 9/11/09, how soon? You attribute every world problem to anyone who doesn't parrot your opinions. Isn't that exactly how a cult sees the world?
June 23, 2008
2:45 p.m.
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dilligaf writes:
Denver needs to pony up. This convention will be a money magnet. Besides we need to even the playing field. If this was the republican convention they wouldn't be short because all their rich buddies they are always taking care of would and is (In Minnesota) paying for it.