Picking nominee should help DNC fundraising

By Kevin Vaughan, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Originally published 12:13 p.m., May 15, 2008
Updated 12:13 p.m., May 15, 2008

Settling the question of the Democratic Party's presidential nominee should help kick-start the lagging fund-raising efforts for the convention in August.

At least that's the hope.

"We are waiting for the perspective nominee to get in play because we think that will help us in our endeavor," Mike Dino, head of the convention host committee, said at a breakfast forum this morning sponsored by the Downtown Denver Partnership.

The host committee needs to raise about $50 million but to date has only made it about halfway to that goal.

Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper earlier this week told City Council members that his "greatest fear" was failing to raise the money to put on the convention.

The Denver 2008 Host Committee must raise $40.6 million by June 16, according to its contract with the Democratic National Convention Committee. But Hickenlooper acknowledged this week that the task has proven difficult, and that the committee had "almost" $25 million in the bank and another $5.5 million in pledges.

Committee members believe they need to raise $50 million to avoid red ink after the convention, which will be held at the Pepsi Center from Aug. 25 to 28.

At this morning's forum, held at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, Dino said the economy and the protracted primary fight between Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama have affected fund-raising.

He also said it has affected overall planning for the convention.

"It complicates things a little bit," Dino said. "The bottom line is I think we are really well on track to host this convention."

Many political observers believe Obama will win the nomination and that the only remaining question is how — and when — Clinton will bow out.

"The big question is, will this be resolved before it gets here?" Dino asked. "I think it seems to be pointing that way."

Dino said the committee has twin goals — to be great hosts for a "wonderful national event" and to spark a community celebration.