Posted by Dan_Slater | Posted in DNC, Events, State Party | Posted on 12-01-2006
Mayor John Hickenlooper today sent a letter to DNC Chair Howard Dean formally indicating that Denver is interested in bidding for the 2008 Democratic National Convention. The deadline to submit such letters of intent by interested cities is tomorrow. Here are some key portions of the letter:
As the frontier city for the 21st Century – politically, technologically, and industrially – Denver is proud to accept your invitation to proceed with the bidding process for the 2008 Democratic National Convention.
One hundred years ago – in 1908 – the nation looked to Denver as Democrats nominated one of America’s greatest orators, William Jennings Bryan, to be the Democratic nominee for President. It would be a great honor – and an historic event – for Denver to host the Democratic National Convention again a century later. Admitted in 1876, Colorado is known as the Centennial State; what better way for the DNC to return to the Centennial State than on the “centennial†anniversary of your last meeting here?
With the inter-mountain West positioned as the new “battleground” of American politics, Denver is uniquely qualified to host the convention. Here in Colorado, 2004 marked a watershed year for the Democratic Party – a new majority in both the State House and the State Senate, the first time in two generations that this has occurred; the addition of a new member of Congress (John Salazar) to join Representatives Diana DeGette and Mark Udall in Washington; and, of course, the election of Ken Salazar to the United States Senate. Our neighbors in the West have also seen historic gains.
Furthermore, Democratic governors in nearby states such as Kansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arizona, Wyoming and Montana are continuing to prove to Westerners that the Democratic Party is the party of leaders for the New American West.
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Denver has the facilities, infrastructure, resources and experience necessary to host the Convention – including a new center-stage arena, modern convention center complex, world-class airport, first-class hotels and telecommunication centers.
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We look forward to bringing the Democratic Party – and the world – to Denver in 2008. Colorado is in the midst of an electoral shift toward progressive ideals and Democratic leaders. On behalf of Colorado’s Democratic leaders such as Senator Ken Salazar, Congressmen Mark Udall and John Salazar, Congresswoman Diana DeGette, Senate President Joan Fitz-Gerald, and House Speaker Andrew Romanoff – we are proud to invite the Democrats to Denver for their convention in 2008. I look forward to receiving the full Request for Proposal next month.
There you have it; we’ve got a lot of work to do in the months ahead to put together the best bid possible, but with your help, we can all bring the Democratic Party to Colorado in 2008!