BREAKING: Dean Chooses Denver for Democratic National Convention

Congratulations to my hometown of Denver for landing the convention.

Thats a great choice, and I'm glad to hear that whatever  accomodations were necessary were in fact made.

I'm sure this choice will inspire Kos and everyone who has made the Mountain West the new swing state region.

•  It's going to be like yKos II!

  by Mr Met on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 08:14:10 AM PDT

  •  I can say one thing

    We'll be planning the biggest Drinking Liberally party here evar!

    by johne on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 08:27:53 AM PDT

    •  so, johne

      how many people can sleep over at your house?

      by Frankenoid on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 08:30:50 AM PDT

    •  While in Denver, come to the mountains

      and dine in my restauratnt for the best Chicken Enchiladas in the West! Wohoooooooot!

      by greenchiledem on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 08:37:13 AM PDT

      •  I know New Mexicans...

        ...who won't leave the state without bringing their own chilies with them.  I hope you're not too offended, but I'm not convinced (about the "best in the West" thing).  But surely better than what can be found in Ithaca or Philly or Kansas City, certainly.

        by Land of Enchantment on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 08:41:57 AM PDT

        •  My mom shipped us a ton of Hatch chiles

          Canned, of course.

          We got two weeks' worth of a green chile fix, btw, and now we're back in Amsterdam.

          The weather here sucks.  Ass.  Big.  Time.

          by Plutonium Page on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 08:47:51 AM PDT

        •  Well, we are a New Mexican

          restaurant run by a family whose family is New Mexican. We get our chiles from the same farm my ancestors did for generations. And we prepare them the traditional way. I think you'd like our place. Not offended at all. Anyone from NM would/should question such a claim! But not many can back it up like we do. And yes, I'm bragging on my NM roots and recipes. They are the best.

          by greenchiledem on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 08:57:22 AM PDT

      •  but

        skip the rocky mountain oysters.

        by johne on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 08:57:17 AM PDT

    •  I could ask you the same

      You're just a little longer of a walk from the poopsie center as I am.

      by johne on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 09:04:58 AM PDT

      •  ooops

        this was meant as a reply to Frankenoid.

        by johne on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 09:12:22 AM PDT

        •  Yeah, but we're also near the

          Alameda/Broadway light rail station (4 or 5 blocks), and right on the 0 bus line.

          Like I told Ed in Montana below -- depends on whether people insist on beds!

          by Frankenoid on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 09:27:57 AM PDT

•  Brilliant!

  by ablington on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 08:15:09 AM PDT

•  Congratulations (I think) to Denver.

  I still recall the headaches we had here in Chicago in 1996.  Hopefully you can avoid them in 2008.

  by Randall Sherman on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 08:15:13 AM PDT

  •  It's the best choice of the Western cities.

    Phoenix has good demographic attractions, ditto on Vegas.  But they're both so brutally hot at that time of year.  Better than Boise or Albuquerque because of facilities.  Salt Lake could probably handle it, but better to go with Colorado, because of its excellent red-to-blue trajectory.  And right next to Wyoming, which is promising, too.  Maybe we can help separate that Barbara Cubin creature from her House Seat, too.  (Not to mention the noxious Marilyn Musgrave in CO.)  Almost close enough that Jon Tester could drive down from his farm in Montana, too.  Beautiful drive...

    by Land of Enchantment on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 08:39:44 AM PDT

    •  Jon Tester could drive down...

      ...and from my one trip to Denver (in the summer of 2001), I would suspect that Senator Tester might have an easier drive from his Montana farm than you would have from the Denver airport.

      by Randall Sherman on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 01:42:31 PM PDT

  •  I remember 1968

    n/t

    by nolalily on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 08:47:47 AM PDT

    •  Then you weren't really there, were you?

      Just kidding.

      by Mr Met on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 08:54:46 AM PDT

      •  If you can remember the 60s

        Then you didn't live through them.

        by Ed in Montana on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 09:04:57 AM PDT

•  What about the union question?

  Denver is non-union.  Did they get them to sort that out?

  by inclusiveheart on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 08:16:11 AM PDT

  •  Whaddaya gonna do, vote GOP?

    </snark>

    by GreenSooner on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 08:30:55 AM PDT

    •  No but a lot of union guys did for a number

      of years there.  Would have been a shame to reverse the trend of bringing them back with a stupid move like picking a non-union venue over a union venue.  But it looks like the Pepsi Center is going to let the unions at least work the show.  Hopefully, they'll allow that to continue after the Democrats have gone.

      by inclusiveheart on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 08:53:30 AM PDT

  •  There must be a deal

    In my now out of date SquareState diary of this morning, I noted that the national union had taken over negotiations from the local and was obviously going to cut some kind of deal.

    It's not completely accurate to say Denver is "non-union".  We now have two unionized downtown hotels (including the Convention Center Hyatt) and the whole sticking point was that the stagehands union that works lots of other venues in Denver wants the Pepsi Center to become a union shop.  Pepsi Center had already agreed to use union labor for the convention, so they must have given up some more to close this deal.

    by Colorado Luis on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 08:34:36 AM PDT

    •  Great - so there is a deal.

      The Denvery venue was what I meant when I said that it was non-union.

      The stagehands should be union.  I have a special affinity for them because I work with them all across this country.  The union guys are always better and guess what?  Safer for everyone because they are better trained and more experienced.  Makes a difference when they are handling millions of dollars in gear too.

      by inclusiveheart on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 08:51:08 AM PDT

  •  One of their hotel complexes

    Unionized earlier this year.

    by pontificator on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 08:39:35 AM PDT

    •  Link to story

      here

      Workers at the Hyatt Regency Denver at Colorado Convention Center have formed a union, organizers reported today.

      The city-bonded Hyatt has been the focus of union and political attention since organized labor voted earlier this year to oppose Denver’s bid for the 2008 Democratic National Convention unless the hotel was unionized.

      Labor groups have formally pulled their opposition to Denver’s bid, but today’s announcement only bolsters the city’s bid for the convention.

      Katie Gerken, the spokeswoman for Unite Here which led the effort to organize the hotel, said the Hyatt formally recognized the new union this morning.

      by pontificator on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 08:42:01 AM PDT

•  It will be good for Denver.

  by Natalie on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 08:16:30 AM PDT

  •  It will be good for all Democrats

    and very bad for Wayne Allard.

    Great choice, Mr. Chairman!

    by Dion on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 08:29:24 AM PDT

•  it doesn't snow there in July, right? n/t

  by CaptUnderpants on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 08:16:52 AM PDT

  •  not yet anyway. n/t

    by OLinda on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 08:21:02 AM PDT

    •  Give global warming a little more time

      and come visit us in Estes Park while you're hear. RMN Park is our backyard.

      Meanwhile, I'll be zipping down to Denver for the convention.

      Hoo-fucking-ray!!

      by Pager on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 08:39:58 AM PDT

  •  Denver...

    Is absolute heaven in July and August.  90 degrees and no humility.  It can get to over 100, but the nights still get nice and cool.  Also, there is a chance in the afternoon to have a really great thunderstorm.

    by RichM on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 08:27:41 AM PDT

    •  Damn spell checker...

      Humidity, not humility.  There is plenty of humility.

      by RichM on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 08:28:16 AM PDT

      •  that was

        an enjoyable typo however...

        by fotyc on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 08:29:34 AM PDT

        •  Superb typo

          (No humility!)

          by ogre on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 10:39:55 AM PDT

      •  LOL - it's hard to be humble when... :) n/t

        by OLinda on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 08:36:00 AM PDT

        •  ...Your perfect in every way!

          I can't wait to look in the mirror
          I get better looking each day!

          by RichM on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 08:37:44 AM PDT

        •  "'Tis a privilege to live

          in Colorado"

          by Frankenoid on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 09:06:02 AM PDT

      •  Not in THIS thread there isn't!

        There is plenty of humility.

        But Denver is a terrific choice. Can't wait!

        by pat208 on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 09:25:47 AM PDT

    •  Even the occasional tornado.

      I witnessed one some years back out around Aurora.

      by Land of Enchantment on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 08:43:44 AM PDT

      •  Yeah, we get the occasional F0

        What the transplanted Kansans call a "dust devil."  Not really in August, though.  It's more a May-June thing.  I'll never forget seeing tornados in Denver on June 15, 1988.

        by Colorado Luis on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 08:56:41 AM PDT

        •  The one I saw was...

          ...the end of June 1989.  Out near Parker Rd. & Havana, IIRC.

          by Land of Enchantment on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 09:01:48 AM PDT

    •  Denver

      Is so great, it doesn't need to be humble.

      by opinionated on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 09:17:52 AM PDT

  •  Only at the airport (n/t)

    by Ed in Montana on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 09:06:30 AM PDT

•  Is marijuana legal in

  Denver?

  by seminole83 on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 08:17:33 AM PDT

  •  Drugs?

    WTF.

    by bink on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 08:19:25 AM PDT

  •  Dunno... but Fat Tire flows freely

    from the drinking fountains!

    by dannyinla on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 08:31:18 AM PDT

    •  true dat.

      though I'd rather suck down a Ska Brewing Pinstripe. It is, after all, the better beer.
      ha.

      by benheeha on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 08:39:57 AM PDT

  •  Technically, yes

    posession is legal in Denver.  Still have those pesky state and federal laws, though.

    by Frankenoid on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 08:32:17 AM PDT

  •  Not exactly legal, but a very minor offense.

    by frostieb on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 08:35:36 AM PDT

•  Yay.

  Anywhere but New York was my hope from the start.  

  by clonecone on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 08:17:41 AM PDT

  •  Bulldinky.

    Denver is a good choice as long as the convention goes smoothly (which, I think, was the chief worry based on their bid submission).  The symbolism of locating the convention in an emergent Democratic state is valuable -- at least, as valuable as the siting decision can be (ie, not all that valuable, but not to be ignored either).

    But I just dislike this "dump on New York" attitude.  New York is one of the premiere Democratic cities in the nation, solidly blue, and while that doesn't mean it deserves to host the convention it does mean it does not deserve the denigration it receives here.

    In addition, while Denver is, message-wise, a better choice in 2008, New York was a much better choice than Boston in 2004.  Boston sent no message but, at the time the site decision was made in 2002, New York sure as hell could have used the vote of confidence it would have provided.

    by LarryInNYC on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 08:32:27 AM PDT

    •  I'm from NYC originally and would have been

      very happy to see the convention there too.  I agree the sentiment shouldn't be to bash NY.  I do think Denver is the better choice this time though, given the demographic shifts in the country and effect this could have throughout the region.

      by Mr Met on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 08:34:20 AM PDT

    •  I didn't bash NYC.

      I firmly believe it would have been a bad choice in '08.  It would have given the idiots in the press the impression that the DNC was helping Clinton win the nomination.

      by clonecone on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 08:36:57 AM PDT

      •  Hmm.

        Well, I interpreted the phrase "Anywhere but New York" as a slam.  If your intention was to say "No offense to New York, but Denver is a better choice" then I apologize for failing to understand your intent.

        by LarryInNYC on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 09:05:48 AM PDT

    •  Is that why Bloomberg is your mayor?

      Solidly blue, my ass :P

      by pacified on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 08:42:27 AM PDT

      •  Because the Dems they ran against him SUCKED

        That is really the only way to say it. Green and Ferrer were horrible for life politicians that people had no interest in voting for.   Don't like all of his politics, but being the mayor of NY is different from any other. It is more like President of a country than mayor. And he seems to do a good enough job playing both sides of the aisle

        by jkb246 on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 08:47:35 AM PDT

        •  *Sucked* is putting it mildly

          I'm dyed-in-the-wool Dem but I sure wasn't going to vote for Ferrer. F-ing loser.

          by funhaus5 on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 08:52:49 AM PDT

          •  so what are the nyc dems doing about that

            i agree the candidates sucked.  so where is the NYC dem talent?  

            by onemadson on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 09:01:41 AM PDT

            •  In City Hall. . .

              working for Bloomberg.

              by LarryInNYC on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 09:02:45 AM PDT

        •  I voted for Bloomberg but

          I think you're being too harsh on the Democratic candidates.  They did run lousy campaigns but most of the problem in the city is entrenched, balkanized Democratic Party power bases working to screw each other in the mayoral race.  The problem is structural, not personality based (although part of the structural problem is that it does not admit machine outsiders as candidates).

          by LarryInNYC on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 09:04:37 AM PDT

      •  There are significant

        structural problems built into the NYC Democratic Party which means that, although the city produces an overwhelmingly Democratic City Council, congressional delegation, and Presidential vote (more overwhelming, I'll bet, than pretty much any other geographical amalgam of eight million people) the Mayor's race is very difficult for the Democrats to crack.

        Suffice it to say that on some issues Bloomberg ran to left of the Democrats in the last election and, in 2006, he not only supported Lieberman (a lousy Democrat, but still a vote for Reid) but also McGaskill in Missouri.

        by LarryInNYC on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 08:59:19 AM PDT

    •  I love New York and

      pretty much believe it is a superior civilization to any city in America (and probably the world). I'm very arrogant that way.

      And I'm really glad that Denver will be hosting the convention, because it's a much better choice, given the context.

      by BrooklynRaider on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 08:55:47 AM PDT

    •  larry

      as a new yorker I have one thing to say - you can't be considered a premiere democratic city when you keep electing Republicans as your mayor.  

      by onemadson on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 08:58:18 AM PDT

      •  Sure you can. . .

        see above.

        I just don't understand this philosophy that rights off a major segment of the Democratic electorate because it  violates some tiny little provision of required group-think.

        By the same token, dKos is not a premiere Democratic blog because of it's strong opposition to many Democratic candidates and Democratic party planks.

        New York Democrats have a real problem in terms of winning the mayoral race and the fault is not in the voters, but in the Party.  California and Connecticut are both solidly blue states, they both have Republican Governors.

        by LarryInNYC on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 09:02:21 AM PDT

•  Excellent choice. The West Turning Blue

  Obviously, this sends a symbolic message of the Democrats' ascendancy in the West.

  by Dartagnan on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 08:17:47 AM PDT

•  I totally approve

  The mountain west is what is going to give us a permanent majority. We grab Colorado, Arizona, Montana and New Mexico, and the thugs are in for a world of hurt.

  I want a western themed convention too. Keynotes being given by prominent pols from these areas.

  by trifecta on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 08:17:51 AM PDT

  •  This would be the perfect time

    for Dems to officially embrace ALL the amendments to the constitution.

    I've never liked guns, still don't.  And assault rifles etc. have no place in civil society.  But I'm willing to stand up for others' right to bear arms if they'll seriously stand up for my right to free speech. It's a quid pro quo I can live with.

    by lgmcp on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 08:27:23 AM PDT

    •  yes, yes, yes, yes, yes!

      We absolutely cannot pick and choose from among what we like or don't like from the Constitution.

      Dems:  "We support the Constitution of the United States.  ALL of it."

      by espresso on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 08:31:34 AM PDT

  •  Hey, how's your hangover?

    by Pager on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 08:41:26 AM PDT

  •  Don't forget other neighbors

    Wyoming has a Democratic Governor, and Trauner came close to Cubin last time out.  And the Dakotas, too.  The entire North Dakota delegation is Democratic, and two out of three from South Dakota.  Oklahoma and Kansas both have Democratic Governors, too.  And Kansas turned a House seat blue in '06, too.

    Maybe not Utah or Idaho though.

    Some of those Western Pols do really good TV, too.  Richardson (likely an also-ran by then), Schweitzer and Tester all do good on-camera for example.  Other, less known figures - like those various regional governors - hopefully will get a chance at good exposure, too.

    by Land of Enchantment on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 08:49:37 AM PDT

  •  Yahoo!

    I'd love a western themed convention.  Can't wait to see Howard Dean & Al Gore in bolo ties.

    by pat of butter in a sea of grits on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 09:26:39 AM PDT

•  Makes sense, because...

  Last night I saw on DenverPost.com that the union officials were in the midst of negotiating a deal on the national level with the DNC.

  Good catch and great breaking post, Mr Met!

  by dansac on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 08:17:57 AM PDT

•  thank god..

  such a wise move.  should not have even been a debate.

  by sedrunsic on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 08:18:14 AM PDT

  •  My impression following it was that Dean

    really bent over backwards to let Denver get the shot.  

    I believe Mayor Hickenlooper, Governor Ritter and Senator Salazar all played a significant role in getting this done.

    by Mr Met on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 08:22:21 AM PDT

    •  Maybe it will help with...

      ...turning Wayne Allard's Senate seat blue, eh?  He had a term limits pledge, but those promises are more honored in the breach, it seems.  Good forum to feature Mark Udall, or whomever emerges as the Democratic Senate candidate.

      Good news!

      by Land of Enchantment on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 08:30:03 AM PDT

      •  Allard is an asshole and an embarassment.

        Udall is well liked.  There was just a survey of all of the counties in the US and the were ranked in order of expected longevity.  7 of the top 10 were in Colorado.  And I believe all of those 7 were Udall country.  Many of the citizens interviewed said it was because of him - in a tongue and cheek sort of way :)  Personally, I think altitude has something to do with it.  But there you go...

        My point is, I am pretty sure Allard will not run anyway and that Udall will win regardless of who is running against - convention not withstanding.  However, it couldn't hoit.

        by RichM on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 08:36:29 AM PDT

      •  I don't think Allard will be too tough to beat

        in '08.  There was an Allard sighting here yesterday - the first one since he got re-elected in '02.  He said he met with Bush before the speech and they "talked about Iraq, you know, just about some of the stuff that's going on over there."  

        He's a total idiot - the only reason he won before was that Repubs effectively labeled his opponent Ted Strickland as a "trial lawyer", which is not as noble as being a veterinarian, I guess.

        by Mr Met on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 08:38:23 AM PDT

        •  He's a world class dumbbell

          When moved to make a statement about the 'surge', he said, "It's worth a try!"

          Deep, Senator.

          by bumblebums on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 08:41:03 AM PDT

          •  I don't think the "deep thoughts" guy

            is running again.

            I think Scott McGinnis is going to take a shot and he will be a much tougher opponent for Udall. He's well liked, even amongst some Democrats.

            Holding the convention here in Colorado is a great boost to Udall, if he runs for the Senate seat.

            by Pager on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 08:43:29 AM PDT

        •  There's an Alamosa NPR radio station

          Well, loosely affiliated, runs a bunch of their programming.  Get it here, and they do regular interviews with Allard.  He does come across as a bit lackluster.  (A bit?)

          Udall's New Mexico cousin, Tom, may be in a Senate run, too.  He says he won't run if Domenici runs, so we'll have to wait and see.  But he only spent $50k on his 2006 campaign and was sitting on over $700k according to the Oct. 18 FEC filing.  Didn't fork over a nickel to the "Use It or Lose It" effort.  Can only assume he's got Senate ambitions.  Otherwise, he's already socked away enough cash for the next ten House races!

          Tom Udall's district covers all of northern NM, in other words, the entire NM-CO border.  If Domenici retires from the Senate, it'll likely be Udall vs. Heather Wilson.  Hopefully, the Dem tide will be strong, because Wilson will be tough to beat.  Anyhow, that'll mean two open House seats, too, and an excellent chance to turn NM-01 blue, too.

          So, it might be Udall & Udall for Senate.  In NM & CO simultaneously.  Within the realm of possibility.

          by Land of Enchantment on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 08:57:41 AM PDT

  •  I think the debate was worth it

    Respecting the Unions is very important.  They have grown very weak in labor negotiations due to unreal demands over the years and I think in many cases they've learned their lessons but it's important that someone stand up for them.  We can't support groups like the SEIU and then turn around and use a non-union center to hold our convention.  Hopefully they've worked out a deal.  I think Denver was the right choice as well.

    by TheSilence on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 08:22:44 AM PDT

    •  Denver's Convention Center Not Unionized?

      Was this an issue?

      by bink on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 08:24:37 AM PDT

      •  It was the final sticking point.... n/t

        by TheSilence on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 08:29:17 AM PDT

      •  The Pepsi Center

        Not the Convention Center.   The local stagehands union had to bid to manage the Pepsi Center, and lost to a company out of Phoenix.  Don't know the specifics...

        Colorado isn't a big union state; we've not had the best record of labor support for a very long time.  But the city has managed to get the unions a foot in the door at the main hotel - the Hyatt - and it appears the national unions have stepped in to kind of smooth the way over local stagehand union leaders who were tying up the works.

        We'll see how it comes out.  With luck, bringing the convention here will be the best thing the unions have had in Colorado in a long time...

        by Phoenix Rising on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 08:29:23 AM PDT

•  WAHOO!

  Now, I just hope that Denver can really manage to scrounge up all the resources necessary to host such a HUUUUUUUGE number of people.

  I predict that Hillary's acceptance speech will be a big hit!

  by bink on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 08:18:53 AM PDT

  •  Think it would help

    if I plant a really big vegetable garden that year?

    by Frankenoid on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 08:33:32 AM PDT

    •  Zuchinis should do the trick n/t

      by lgmcp on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 09:01:23 AM PDT

      •  Well, I ordered seed for

        kossack kohlrabi this year; supposed to grow to bowling ball size without getting tough.

        by Frankenoid on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 09:18:34 AM PDT

    •  So how many kossacks

      Can sleep at your place?

      by Ed in Montana on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 09:12:38 AM PDT

      •  Depends on if they insist

        on beds.

        by Frankenoid on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 09:14:31 AM PDT

        •  You will have to start

          Saturday Morning Convention Blogging!

          by Ed in Montana on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 09:18:24 AM PDT

•  Yay!

  Now that's what I call breaking! I live here and I had not heard! Thanks Mr Met!

  I am thrilled - obviously! I hope I can participate in some way. Am looking forward to meeting some of my favorite Democrats. Maybe I will hang out on the street and accost them for autographs if they walk by.

  by OLinda on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 08:19:24 AM PDT

  •  YES

    Coors Field and the Convention in town.

    This rocks.....

    (hometown is Denver)

    by Dems2004 on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 08:37:22 AM PDT

•  Hot damn.

  See y'all in the Mountain West.

  by wmtriallawyer on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 08:20:07 AM PDT

•  Tattered Cover, here we come!

  One of the best bookstores on the planet.

  by kay dub on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 08:23:05 AM PDT

  •  I LOVE the Tattered Cover

    They should get some great book signing opportunities before/during/after the convention!  

    by Mr Met on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 08:28:35 AM PDT

  •  One of the best.

    Up there with Powell's in Portland (OR), another of my favorites.

    by Land of Enchantment on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 08:31:34 AM PDT

•  Great news

  My thoughts over at MyDD.

  by Chris Bowers on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 08:23:26 AM PDT

  •  Great post Chris...

    do you think this will affect Sen. Allard's chances at re-election, or do you suppose he's going to retire?

    What about Pete Domenici?  He says he's running again, but that could backfire...

    by Dion on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 08:33:28 AM PDT

    •  Hopefully

      Allard will be all but doomed by the time of the convention anyway. Our operation in Colorado should allow us to take that seat, as long as the political environment doesn't sour, and as long as our candidate isn't a joke.
      
      

      I also like our chances in New Mexico. Perhaps not as top tier as other states, but it could become so with the right candidate.

      by Chris Bowers on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 08:39:06 AM PDT

      •  Hi Chris

        I feel honored that you posted in my diary!  Do you think this will do anything for Bill Richardson?

        by Mr Met on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 08:40:24 AM PDT

    •  Pete Domenici

      R-NM, not CO.

      by Plutonium Page on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 08:40:39 AM PDT

      •  Agree and a neighboring state may also give

        a bump or at least moreso than NYC would.

        I still can't believe Pajamas Pete really does want another round!

        by Dion on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 08:50:54 AM PDT

•  Good choice.

  by edwardssl on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 08:26:12 AM PDT

•  Great news

  And I say that as a proud member of AFSCME.

  by Oregon Bear on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 08:27:46 AM PDT

•  Tags updated! n.t.

  by noweasels on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 08:27:55 AM PDT

•  stupid mistake

  Totally wrong for many reasons.
  1.capacity
  2.ideology
  3.sentiment

  by bten on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 08:28:26 AM PDT

  •  Oh, heeere we go......

    

    by Mr Met on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 08:29:51 AM PDT

  •  Yeah, NYC sends such a better message.

    Pffffft.

    by wmtriallawyer on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 08:30:46 AM PDT

  •  You are wrong.

    Between NYC & Denver?

    Most of America views NYC as a separate country. Having it in Denver makes it a "real" city. A city that suburban middle americans can connect with in some way.

    Having it in NYC would have been pandering to sentiment exactly the way it was when the GOP had their convention here. There's no need for that.

    I'm stoked about the choice, and everything is gonna work out just fine.

    by zachwalker on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 08:31:51 AM PDT

    •  We are a separate country.

      Just ask those damn foreigners from Long Island who keep insisting on visiting us on the weekends.

      by funhaus5 on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 08:44:59 AM PDT

  •  Seems you're vastly outnumbered

    thinking that way.  Oh well, can't please everyone!

    by Loquatrix on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 08:32:59 AM PDT

  •  I live in NYC and I don't think it's wrong

    NYC is Dem friendly, and we did well here in the elections, but it's time to take the game to the Republicans like they did to us in 2004.  If they want to invade New York, then we can invade Colorado.  I say next time we try and set it up at the Air Force academy.  We've been timid for too long and it's time to go on offense.

    by TheSilence on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 08:33:12 AM PDT

    •  Hear hear!

      NYC doesn't need to be more blue. Colorado and all the Mountain West does, though.

      by funhaus5 on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 08:45:48 AM PDT

  •  Nice assertion.

    Now back it up with a few facts. (Not that it matters since it is now a moot point.)

    by espresso on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 08:33:16 AM PDT

  •  What?

    Ideology?  Sentiment?

    What the hell do you mean?

    by Plutonium Page on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 08:38:58 AM PDT

    •  What?? That makes Denver the right choice

      The only other place that would make sense would have been Houston or Dallas and I guess they didn't even  qualify

      by jkb246 on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 08:42:04 AM PDT

      •  They might have qualified...

        If they'd applied.

        by Phoenix Rising on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 08:46:49 AM PDT

    •  My Guess

      New York is a very Democratic city that reliably supports and gives -- HUGE amounts, in fact -- to our party's national candidates.

      So, yes, it makes a much better message to have the convention in Denver.

      But let's not bash New York in the process.

      Denver was also my hope for 2008.  I feared it would be New York or Detroit or another city that says, "old school, predictable, big-city, Democrat."

      by bink on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 08:48:36 AM PDT

  •  have you ever been to denver?

    because it's actually a pretty cool city and routinely holds huge conventions.  what you mean by ideology and sentiment, i don't know, but i think we should celebrate this choice.  

    by apdva on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 08:43:52 AM PDT

    •  said it before

      colorado and western democrats are becoming more successful because they are seen as different and isolated from national democrats here you are putting the national democratic convention right in the west-the convention will be very liberal-

      you think that it shows other parts of the country that the democratic party has western or more conservative values-not going to happen.

      by bten on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 08:49:01 AM PDT

      •  So you're saying borderline dems in west

        (many of who are various flavors of libertarian) will be horrified by actual unashamed bi-coastal liberals, and flee in droves?  Interesting.  I guess maybe there could be some of that.

        That's always the big-tent quandary.  How to bring in allies without losing your core values?

        I see common cause against the war and against government spying on citizens.  Minimum wage and student loan measures are widely popular.  I'm suggesting our party cozy up to the NRA for a change. But, the sticking point with be social programs.  

        by lgmcp on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 09:12:05 AM PDT

        •  Hmm? the Orange hat Deaniac effect in Iowa?

          by MontanaMaven on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 09:28:27 AM PDT

        •  Nonsense

          The activists will love it, the hospitality industry will love it (Dems tip better!) and the rest of the population either won't notice or will maybe experience some additional traffic problems, which have nothing to do with ideology.

          by Alice in Florida on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 09:53:27 AM PDT

          •  For Denver residents in general, sure

            It was more the actual delegates I was thinking about.  As in "battle for the heart and soul of the party (blah blah blah)".  You can't deny there is a tension between advancing a really progressive agenda and increasing party membership by looping in mountain libertarians.  I'm not saying it's insurmountable:  I think we're doing it, and I'm excited.  But there's definitely some delicately-calibrated balancing to bve done.  

            by lgmcp on Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 10:02:40 AM PDT

            •  For the actual delegates

              it's not a battle for the soul of the party...it's more like "party, party, party!" Not much of anything gets decided at conventions any more, it's all about putting on a TV show, getting together with people,