Hickenlooper fears DNC fund shortage
By Daniel J. Chacon, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Originally published 12:06 p.m., May 13, 2008
Updated 01:08 p.m., May 13, 2008
Do you think it was a good idea to have the Democratic National Convention in Denver?
Mayor John Hickenlooper revealed today that Denver and the host committee are struggling to raise the money they need by June 16 for the DNC.
The contract with the DNC Committee calls for them to have $40.6 million in the bank by next month.
Hickenlooper has been going around the country raising money for the DNC for the last year and a half - in fact, last week he was fund-raising in Minneapolis, the site of the Republican National Convention.
He said Denver has about $25 million in the bank. However, he added that the city has about $5.5 million in firm commitments.
"My greatest fear is if we aren't able to raise the money," he said this morning during the weekly mayor and City Council meeting.
Despite the challenges, Hickenlooper said he was confident the money would be raised.
The city and the Denver 2008 Host Committee believe they actually need upwards of $50 million to host the convention Aug. 25-28 and avoid red ink.
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May 13, 2008
12:19 p.m.
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Earl writes:
those damn rich republicans always spending so much money and wanting more. wow 50 mill for 4 days of dumpocraps here to party.
May 13, 2008
12:19 p.m.
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holekeeper writes:
Figures, mabey Obama should ask for some money for it I am sure code pink can kick in a million if the gave the insurgants 600K
May 13, 2008
12:23 p.m.
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RickyLee writes:
Well....he better get Guv. Critter to make a "Blue Ribbon Commission" to see about increasing some fees.....
May 13, 2008
12:24 p.m.
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Acemon writes:
Such is the price of trying to mutate Denver into a "world class" city. I'm one of many who love Denver just the way it is. If I wanted Los Angeles or New York or Paris or London, then I'd live there already, but I cherish the small city feel of Denver. It's perfect. Bringing more attention to Denver by way of hosting a squabbling group of politicians is just courting disaster, as well as financial peril. The money squandered on convention security could be better spent on any number of projects benfitting our own citizens rather than a group of deep-pocket outsiders. Mayor Hickenlooper, honorable man that you are, can you hear me now?
May 13, 2008
12:26 p.m.
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SASQUATCH writes:
HICK BETTER START WORRYING ABOUT THE R-68 CLEAN-UP AND REPAIR:
Mayhem, bombings, arson, litter, water cannons, tear gas, tasers and the National Guard are always very expensive. Omaha Beach still carrys its WWII scars. Let's make sure the Dems get the bill!
May 13, 2008
12:27 p.m.
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samsmargolis writes:
No, duh. Time is slipping away so you'd better 1) find a way to blame all the republicans in the state (seemed to work for the last legislative sesssion) and 2) the good citizens of the state need to start locking everything up that isn't otherwise tied down. Of course, there is a third option: baloney sandwiches for all the visiting delegates and media. Seems fitting and it would probably save millions.
Watch the list of sponsors that was posted yesterday. The democrats will hit them up for more money and the rest of us will end up paying higher -whatever- to make up the difference. Cost of Budweiser and Coors headin' up shortly.
May 13, 2008
12:36 p.m.
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Shaggy writes:
What is everyone worried about?
Dickenlooper promised us all several times that it would not cost the tax payers a penny if the DNC were to be held here in Denver.
cough cough.
If they can't even raise the 50 million how are they going to raise the 100 million or more to fix the damage caused by the Democrats and Liberals.
Bad bad bad Idea to have this here when the whole world will be watching.
May 13, 2008
12:39 p.m.
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rj1967 writes:
And what happens if the Host Committee doesn't make $50 million?? They gonna tell the DNC to go somewhere else??? Probably not. Its easier to get the tax payer to bend over - as usual.
May 13, 2008
12:56 p.m.
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Gene writes:
Hey, idea; . . Replace those limos with bicycles.
May 13, 2008
1:02 p.m.
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Firefox writes:
rj1967 you are right on the money! I hear they are going to close down much of the access to the city, I guess they forgot I need to go to work. Also heard a rumor they were stopping light rail access. Take this mess of a convention and ship it to Mexico, China or some other place you ship all of our jobs Dems.
May 13, 2008
1:02 p.m.
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FloydHill writes:
Hickenlooper is nothing but an inept fool. What a dunce.
May 13, 2008
1:14 p.m.
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rickg19611 writes:
TYPICAL!
These Dem clowns claimed that this was such a brilliant idea to host the Democrat fatcat party. Even though, not a single other city wanted to bid for the boondoggle.
Hickenliar and his Democrat cronies all told the citizens that it would not cost them a dime, and now we know they've already diverted funds to cover the excess cost for police, etc. Now the clowns are setting up the excuses for why they will be sucking more taxpayer funding to cover the costs for their fatcats to get together for a party.
"Hickenlooper has been going around the country raising money for the DNC for the last year and a half"
So the liar mayor had time to waste raising money for Democrat fatcats, but not any time to do his job.
The scumbags to voted for the liar mayor needs to cough up the funding, since they're the idiots that supported the boondoggle scheme, rather than forcing citizens that had enough IQ to know th Democrat convention was nothing but a disaster in the making.
May 13, 2008
1:16 p.m.
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Trythinking writes:
Tax the convention's CO2 emmissions. Just taxing the CO2 from the private jets of the people's party should more than pay this bill.
Firefox,
What is this thing you call "work"? Isn't it the govenment's rersponsibility to provide what you need by way of food, clothing, healthcare etc.
May 13, 2008
1:20 p.m.
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P_Denver writes:
Charge the delegates $1,000 a head to attend, and $2,000 for each "superdelegate". Let them figure out how to raise the small sums. We'll see who the real party faithful are.
May 13, 2008
1:29 p.m.
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jay writes:
i don't think hick has anything about which to worry. once hillary steps aside the money for the convention shouldn't be too hard to raise from a committed, solidified party.
May 13, 2008
1:34 p.m.
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Elwood writes:
Serve the Dumbocrats baloney sandwiches and tap-water, make them sleep in a tent city (weather should be nice by then), use rickshaws instead of limos and cabs, and hold the convention in City Park (a lot cheaper than the union held Pepsi Center). Or better yet send them out to San Francisco where they will be welcomed.
May 13, 2008
1:36 p.m.
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Openminded2 writes:
I can see that the conservative think tank is here in full force!
Just a couple of facts for you (I know you guys hate actual facts (WMD for instance)). There is also a RNC convention in this city called Minneapolis. They too are raising funds. They are trying to raise $59 million. So, like Fox News, try to be "Fair and Balanced".
In addition, you do realize that for 6 of the last 8 years, you had a Republican President AND Congress right??? So when you complain about how the dems are not fixing the economy, immigration, gas costs, etc please remember who has been in power.
The last time we had a Democrat as President, we had the longest post war economic expansion since WWII. Go figure!
As far as the Mayor is concerned, his approval rating is 86% among city residents, 77% in the suburbs and 60% statewide. George W Bush is at 32%. Again, sorry about the facts. I know that really throws off your hate!
May 13, 2008
1:52 p.m.
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samsmargolis writes:
Since voting in a Democratic Congress in 2006 we have seen:
1) Consumer confidence plummet;
2) The cost of regular gasoline soar to over $3.50 a gallon;
3) Unemployment is up to 5% (a 10% increase);
4) American households have seen $2.3 trillion in equity value evaporate (stock and mutual fund losses);
5) Americans have seen their home equity drop by $1.2 trillion dollars;
6) 1% of American homes are in foreclosure.
No hate here, Openminded2, nothing but love for that Democratic Congress...
May 13, 2008
2:04 p.m.
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pwern writes:
Yeah, Openminded2, the GOP is holding a convention as well. Two big differences: #1, Republicans have already met their funding goals, and #2, Minneapolis doesn't have to worry about being torn apart at the seams by a bunch of antiwar, race-baiting, transgendered environmentalist whackos. Who all belong to the Democratic party, by the way. None of them have any money, but they're entertaining to watch! Maybe Hickenlooper should sell tickets like it's a carnival.
And as for the approval rating of Hickenlooper, you act like 86% is some remarkable number. NEWSFLASH: ALL INNER CITIES ARE LIBERAL, SO LIBERALS ARE POPULAR THERE. Go to a NABLA meeting and declare you like molesting little boys - I'll bet you get at least an 86% approval rating too.
May 13, 2008
2:08 p.m.
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chartguy writes:
Since there are not enough rooms in Denver, protesters are planning to camp in Gilpin County. Does the mayor have a fund to pay for the forest fires those city slickers are going to start?
May 13, 2008
2:10 p.m.
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P_Denver writes:
Sorry, guys. My comments about charging admission to the delegates had nothing to do about "hating" Democrats. I've actually voted for a Democrat or two in my time.
I am against ALL "conventions!" I am against the Electoral College!
Let the states have their popular-vote primaries for all the primary candidates and whoever gets the most popular votes is the national nominee. Then, whoever wins the popular vote gets elected President. How hard is that? It would eliminate all this posturing and posing.
One vote = one vote. That’s simple enough for even the most dim-witted of either party to understand.
Or am I overestimating the intelligence of the average voting citizen?
May 13, 2008
2:16 p.m.
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BMat writes:
Lemme get this straight:
Hillary's campaign is in debt, the convention itself will be in debt and the Democrats are using this position as a spring board to be elected to fix our national debt?
Should I laugh or cry?
May 13, 2008
2:48 p.m.
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Scott writes:
P_Denver,
You are NOT "overestimating the intelligence of the average voting citizen."
However, you are overestimating the morals of 99.9993% of all politicians. If the politicians allowed "One vote = one vote", then a whole bunch of their suck up jobs and positions (e.g. Electoral College) would evaporate overnight. Now we just can't have that can we? What would all of these political losers do?
Scott
May 13, 2008
3 p.m.
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Gene writes:
. . well they wouldn't go to the private sector.
May 13, 2008
3 p.m.
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rickg19611 writes:
Hide your wallets... there are roaming gangs of Democrats looking for someone to pay for their drunken party in August.
May 13, 2008
3 p.m.
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John_Galt writes:
Just another of Democrats demonstrating their lack of fiscal responsibility. Spend! Spend! Spend! Even if you don't have it!
I should also say the the Republicans in Congress since 2000 have acted much like their Democrat counterparts.
Too bad the Republicans got away from their "Contract with America" principles.
May 13, 2008
3:11 p.m.
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Tbone writes:
John, they never even started their "contract with america".
What was accomplished because of this contract?
May 13, 2008
3:16 p.m.
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dilligaf writes:
50 mil to hold a dem convention.
Getting the republicans out of the white house priceless!
May 13, 2008
3:23 p.m.
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jay writes:
"Since voting in a Democratic Congress in 2006 we have seen:
1) Consumer confidence plummet;
2) The cost of regular gasoline soar to over $3.50 a gallon;
3) Unemployment is up to 5% (a 10% increase);
4) American households have seen $2.3 trillion in equity value evaporate (stock and mutual fund losses);
5) Americans have seen their home equity drop by $1.2 trillion dollars;
6) 1% of American homes are in foreclosure"
and sam...which bills or initiatives by the dems in congress do you believe to be at the heart of these milestones....say rather than the previous decade of republican reign....
May 13, 2008
3:25 p.m.
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DrGonzo writes:
"Just another of Democrats demonstrating their lack of fiscal responsibility. Spend! Spend! Spend! Even if you don't have it!"
John, where were you while Bush and the GOP Congress were racking up record deficits year after year?
May 13, 2008
3:26 p.m.
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MrJim writes:
I say just cancel the thing, can't afford it anyway. Good to know Mr. Mayor is spending all his time running around the country vs. managing the city as he was elected to do.
May 13, 2008
3:31 p.m.
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RUKidding writes:
Countdown to Bush leaving office:
251 days 9 hours 29 minutes 6 seconds
(Bush leaving office is January 20, 2009)
May 13, 2008
3:45 p.m.
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RUKidding writes:
Sorry I was off topic. Democrats do not have the Christian Right funding them so they have to actually raise money.
May 13, 2008
4:01 p.m.
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Scott writes:
Hey RUKidding, try telling the whole story. The dems have George Soros funding them. Oops, when you don't have any moral, e.g. liberals, then telling misleading things is O.K.
Scott
May 13, 2008
4:18 p.m.
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CaptainObvious writes:
I just clicked on this thread because I wanted to see where, in the line of posts, SASQUATCH and his "mayhem, bombings, arson, litter, water cannons, tear gas, tasers and the National Guard" blather would be located. Before I clicked, I guessed third. He is fifth. Though he is slower on the swing than in the past, the broken record aspect is still, unfortunately, complete. Yawn.
But while I was reading the posts, something rickg wrote really caught my eye:
"The scumbags to voted for the liar mayor needs to cough up the funding, since they're the idiots that supported the boondoggle scheme"
If you're passionate about that, and that's the way you want it, rickg, then shouldn't you be paying for the war in Iraq? It works both ways, right? Goose and gander? Or are you just a chest-pounding hypocrite? Yeah, I won't hold my breath while you work out the payment plans. Way to not put your money where your mouth is!
May 13, 2008
4:20 p.m.
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davies writes:
This is easy. Just impose a license "fee" on all vehicles in the city. C'mon, Dems, it's not a tax, so go for it!
May 13, 2008
4:36 p.m.
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DenverDan writes:
WE will host the next pres. Cant wait to see all the baby (REP) lose. Go Obama and Colorado. Say no to bush 3.
May 13, 2008
5:42 p.m.
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titancain writes:
Abramoff/Schaffer to the rescue! Bring on the forced abortion/slavery money!
May 13, 2008
8:49 p.m.
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samwell writes:
I know this really doesn't have much to do with the article I must comment,
Posted by samsmargolis
"Since voting in a Democratic Congress in 2006 we have seen:
1) Consumer confidence plummet;
2) The cost of regular gasoline soar to over $3.50 a gallon;
3) Unemployment is up to 5% (a 10% increase);
4) American households have seen $2.3 trillion in equity value evaporate (stock and mutual fund losses);
5) Americans have seen their home equity drop by $1.2 trillion dollars;
6) 1% of American homes are in foreclosure.
No hate here, Openminded2, nothing but love for that Democratic Congress..."
This argument is weak, for multiple reasons, most important is that the president has veto power and the Democratic (marginally controlled senate) 49 dems to 49 GOP, 2 Independent, who often vote with the dems, however, even if you count 51 which is technically a majority, its not enough to override a presidential veto, which requires 61 votes in the senate. George Bush didn't veto his first bill until July 19, 2006 (imagine that right after the congress switched) since then he has issued 8 vetoes and one pocket veto. Not only that, there are quite a few relatively moderate, even conservative democrats elected to the senate and house, e.g. Blue Dog Coalition. Which means many bills proposed are weakened by compromises made to appease both moderate dems and republicans, reducing their effectiveness.
All that aside, the current conditions of our economy today are a result of the policies and leadership of republicans!
That aside I don't believe that it will comedown to the DNC not raising enough money for the convention, and the city will not shut down and crumble under the visitors the convention will bring, there are constantly tens of thousands of visitors to Denver on almost any give day, don't believe me, check hotels for conventioneers, not only do we have one of the largest convention centers in the country we also have many hotels throughout the metro area that host large conventions every week. Also consider the amount of people that were in town for the world series, NBA all star game and various other bigger than usual sports events.
I bet most of you guys bashing the convention wouldn't have a problem if it was the RNC here.
May 13, 2008
10:35 p.m.
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jacka writes:
Too bad. Where are our b/millionaires, Stryker, Unions, Gill, Martinez, Polis, Soros, Crowe, Falcone, Phelps, Buffett, Bridges, Pena, Ikard, Trial Lawyers, Farber, Sink, Crown, Koncilja, Hickenlooper, Gart, Alvarado, leading SMBs, and the Pitkin/Eagle county elites?
May 14, 2008
8:28 a.m.
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rickg19611 writes:
Shocking!
Democrats lied when they said the party for their fatcats wouldn't cost taxpayers anything.
Now Hickenblunder has to publicly admit that Democrats refuse to fund their own party... and started setting the excuses up for why they want taxpayers to foot the bill for the Democrat fatcat drunkfest.
Let the scumbag Democrats pay for their own nonsense... instead of doing what they always do and stealing from taxpayers to pay for their corruption.
May 14, 2008
9:07 a.m.
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CaptainObvious writes:
Who is John Galt?
May 14, 2008
10:18 a.m.
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rickg19611 writes:
CaptainOblivious....
"shouldn't you be paying for the war in Iraq? "
As a taxpayer, I, and all other taxpayers ARE paying for the war in Iraq. Who do you think is paying for it? Space aliens? Those men in the black helicopters hovering over your trailer at this very moment?
And since you seem to be ignorant of the facts, lets enjoy some other facts (just to add to your squirming!)
The cost of the war in Iraq is less than 7/10ths of 1% of US GDP. That's a lower percentage of national income than people spend each year on golf. Less than Mayor Hickenlooper wastes on hot chocolate.
What is the cost to Denver for the Democrat convention? Read the article. The convention will cost $50 million, and they admit that only have HALF of that amount. Who will be paying for the missing $25 million? Maybe Obama can get his buddies at Hamas to pay for it? A sponsorship from the PLO (they're doing phonebank calls from the Gaza Strip for Obama)? Maybe FARC, the Colombia leftist terrorists that met with representatives of Obama will cough up the druglord cash for the Democrats to "party" with....
Or will Denver citizens be forced to cough up 3% of their city budget (400% larger than the Iraq War share of GDP), to pay so some Democrat fatcats can get drunk at taxpayer expense?
May 14, 2008
10:34 a.m.
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jay writes:
ricky, how much do you think the war in iraq is going to cost the country in the next 10 years?
May 14, 2008
1:06 p.m.
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rickg19611 writes:
jay...
The same or less than it currently does.... 7/10ths of 1% of GDP.
Which is less than the amount of income that the average American spends on coffee each year.
May 15, 2008
11:04 a.m.
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redwhiteandBLUE writes:
They'll have to dish out allot more to clean up the mess afterwards.