Democratic convention brings challenges to Denver

LA TIMES ^ | July 28, 2008 | Nicholas Riccardi

[edzo4]

Last month the host committee said it was $10 million short of its $40-million target, but it now refuses to discuss fundraising totals.

Officials blame several factors: The drawn-out primary battle sapped would-be donors. And business leaders say attention and money are being diverted by union-led ballot initiatives that they are fighting, measures they insist could destroy their livelihoods.

Problems swiftly surfaced, starting with fundraising. The host committee told caterers they should make "every effort" to ensure that each plate consisted of 70% organic food and 50% fruits and vegetables; include nothing fried; and contain at least three of these five colors: red, green, yellow, purple/blue and white.

After caterers complained and the policy was mocked in the media, the host committee put out a defensive news release saying the guidelines were voluntary and fried food would still be available.

"That was not a good start, creating the food police," said Councilman Charlie Brown.

To add insult to injury, special "Denver daisies," bred for the city's 150th anniversary in November and designed to bloom during the convention, are having a hard time growing. Only about a third have blossomed -- an issue so serious that the City Council heard a report on it this month.

For their part, many Denver residents, apparently fearful that security measures will paralyze the compact downtown, say they plan to skip town the week of the convention.

Steve Farber, co-chairman of the host committee, denied that the city was in over its head. He said fundraising had picked up since Obama clinched the delegates needed for the nomination last month.

"We had confidence in the city, and I really believe the companies within the city and Colorado have stepped up," he said.

Ciruli said the convention would probably be a success,

[edzo4]

Fundraising for next month's event is off by $10 million, Obama's stadium speech is a logistical migraine and the catering menu is a laughingstock. Don't even start with the flowers.

LOL, they are going to save the country and the planet but they can't even manage their convention...

[toddlintown]

Liberals are so stupid. And this Hickenlooper is indicative of so many in the craft beer industry...liberals. I remember when he was a brewing god, one of the trailblazers in the craft beer industry. In reality, he’s just a dick, and through him and the stupidity leading up to the convention, I see the same goofy thoughts and ideas from way too many others in the craft beer business.

And nowadays, they’re more than happy to publicly express their political views. All this does, in my opinion, help them lose customers.

[ClearCase_guy]

Well, they couldn’t botch this more than Beijing will botch the Olympics ... could they?

[randita]

The drawn-out primary battle sapped would-be donors.

An OPERATION CHAOS strategic victory.

[556x45]

“”That was not a good start, creating the food police,” said Councilman Charlie Brown.”
But isnt that what they want for the entire nation?

“To add insult to injury, special “Denver daisies,” bred for the city’s 150th anniversary in November and designed to bloom during the convention, are having a hard time growing. Only about a third have blossomed — an issue so serious that the City Council heard a report on it this month.”
Im sure a law, mandate, court order etc etc will get those daisies back on track...LOL!

[Red Boots]

Funny how they forgot to mention the tax free gas and car washes the DNC people were receiving courtesy of the taxpayers of Denver, and of Colorado. It’s hard to imagine any reporter could have missed that little controversy.

[jmaroneps37]

“By the time we got to Denver-stock we were half a million strong.”
When the recreate 68 gang gets on to the fact that their man is going to pull the whole rat party down, they will finally have their issue. When they formed they had no issue except to go to Denver to get arrested one last time. Now they’ll have a reason. Either way it was going to happen but this way they will be able to get even more of their fellow scumbags to show up. Many of them who are over 60 will be fat bast^&ds who will have to be picked up by 6 cops. Then they will have heart attacks and other medical problems. This will be fun to watch. Remember san fran is only a long day’s drive in a VW mini bus with flowers on it and smoke in it.