New Orleans & the 2008 Democratic convention

Local radio is saying there is talk by Democrats to have NOLA host the 2008 convention. That would be both a PR coup, and actually help the city out very much. Please make it so -cool.

I mean I see it in theory. But there are definitely enough statements out there on our part and the part of Dems in general about repubs having their 2004 convention in NY being ghoulish and exploitative. I realize there are some slight differences (NY city and New Orleans are both liberal cities) but there are enough similarities there that we do open ourselves up to charges of hypocricy. I'm not sure I entirely care either way, but still.

it does seem that the dem mayor and gov (i know blanco basically ran as as goper but she's still a dem) didn't perform particularly well and i'm not sure the national party would want to associte themselves with them. it also might seem a little too opportunistic.

i prefer denver.

Otherwise, I think it's a great idea :hi:

There was a big stink about the repukes having their 2004 convention in NYC. Repukes even when so far as to move their convention as late as they possibly could in order to take advantage of 9/11.

It was nothing more than a publicity stunt to capitalize on a nations great loss.

Let's not be republicans. I'm sure that locations were already in consideration before Katrina, if NOLA was not already on that list then let's not do the publicity stunt!!

..of course there is a large chunk of people on here who pretty much take the attitude "Well they did it so we can do it too!!!" who will take issue with anyone expressing a desire to not sink to their level.

You are talking out of your ass, quite frankly. The city DESPERATELY needs the convention and tourism business to return. The Library association just announced they will come. That was huge news. Having the convention in NOLA would help tremendously with the local economy and restoring one of the MAIN SOURCES OF INCOME.

Go ahead with your 9/11 comparisons, but clearly you have no idea what is going on. If NOLA goes down (Dem stronghold), the state turns fire truck red.

state in the Union that has to pay back FEMA's non performance. They are hurting for money and jobs. The Repubs have given most of the jobs to Halliburton.

I doubt VERY MUCH that NOLAs population would view it as a stunt. They would be grateful for the income.

Lived in NOLA for 14 years.....it's a wonderful place to have a convention and I think it would be a shame if the Dems didn't use this opportunity to reach out to the people of New Orleans and also to highlight some of the wonderful culture that Southern Louisiana has to offer. Mu husband was born and raised there and he's biggest fear is that the culture will be somewhat lost during the rebuilding.

lack of help on the federal level is actually planned -so that the indiginous population will not return. I almost buy into such talk.

They are trying to kill the soul of NOLA.


btw- radio just said it is a Maryland congressman (and a few others) who are leading this effort.

NOLA will remain strong in their resolution to go back and rebuild. Have numerous friends and family still there and I would say that 98% are already back. Did hear on NPR the other day that Nagin may be in some hot water with his constituents, gave a townhall meeting in Baton Rouge and there still is some resentment over the slow response. I blame FEMA - 100%, they were the ones that let the city down and also Bush for cutting the funding to rebuild the levees.

If anyone is interested in the local take on things, or is interested in how desperate and abandoned the people feel, listen here-

http://wwl.com/

Double the length of the convention. Invite good Dem union builders & contractors. Have the delegates spend half the time helping to rebuild the city.

Instead of spending the money on balloons & bunting - spend it on building materials.

I think New Orleans SHOULD be the site for the 2008 Convention - the memory of Katrina will still be strong for these people and it is a perfect gesture of faith in that city and our intention to look after America FIRST.

Have an extra period of time ahead of the convention for volunteers and union groups to come in, in a coordinated rebuilding and rejuvenation of the destroyed homes and businesses in the area. Not unlike President Carter's Habitat for Humanity.

This would give NOLA's residents, now so demoralized and bereft of hope for their homes and futures, a tremendous boost in spirit and encouragement that they can come back home. They would no longer be displaced all over the country, and no longer at the mercy of those who wish to steal their property from them for the benefit of the rich, forever changing the face of NOLA.

To then follow this tremendous effort for NOLA's citizens with the 2008 Dem Convention would, I think, be the single greatest turnaround we could accomplish for them and in turn, demonstrating that the Democratic Party is, and will always be, the party of the people.

Republican looters, be gone. Get out of our lives.

the 'pugs wanted to exploit the City as a backdrop for their "God, Fear and Terra" and hide behind 35,000 police officers protecting them from those terrorist demonstrators !

New Orleans NEEDS some Democratic LOVE and support :loveya:

Also, love the idea of getting rid of the party favors and putting the money into building supplies :hi:

the building plans by DeLaying and fouling up the job sites etc.
They could make our convention a nightmare. It would definitely give the Rethugs a reason to DeLay all building progress...and how could anyone ever prove it was sabotage and pure politics?
Our convention is too important to take chances...but it sure would be a nice thing to do if it were definitely possible to rehabilitate the city, roads, hotels, restaurants and electric etc.

I don't think New Orleans will be ready to host it by that time. Nice idea but don't think it's really workable.

Some Democrats touting New Orleans for 2008

WASHINGTON (AP) _ A Maryland congressman is urging his fellow Democrats to hold the party's 2008 presidential nominating convention in New Orleans as a signal of national support for the city after its devastating losses from Hurricane Katrina.

Representative Elijah Cummings made the suggestion after party officials announced that their 2008 convention will be held August 25th-28th. Cummings says declaring New Orleans as the host city for the party's national convention would demonstrate to its residents that the city ``has not been forgotten.''

It would be reminiscent of when Republicans held their 2004 party convention in New York City to show support for the area after the 2001 terrorist attacks killed more than 26-hundred people at the destroyed World Trade Center.

The decision on a convention site will be made by Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean and party leaders, after reviewing bids from a dozen or so cities with sufficient convention and hotel facilities. The process will begin in January when the party asks for bids. The choice will be announced sometime after the 2006 midterm elections.

http://wwl.com/Article.asp?id=142080

National Review Online...

New Orleans 2008


The wind had barely stopped blowing before Katrina and the storm's aftermath had become the latest front in the nation's political/cultural war. Bush critics are already undermining their own cause with overreaching, as they denounce the president as a racist for his alleged unconcern about the suffering of so many black people in New Orleans. But an administration whose FEMA director knew less about on-the-ground conditions in the stricken city this week than the average TV viewer has a real vulnerability.

It will only address that vulnerability with a performance in coming days and weeks that is more in keeping with the GOP's image as the "daddy party," the party of competence, the party that can be trusted in times of crisis. That is the main thing. But symbolism will matter too. No single step would go further to dramatize the GOP's commitment to rebuilding New Orleans than announcing now that the party's 2008 convention will be held in the recovering city. Such a move would signal the party's confidence in the Big Easy's renewal, and put it at the forefront of what should be similar commitments from private actors to do their part to help New Orleans come back.

Critics will call it a transparent attempt to burnish the party's image after the Bush administration "failed" with the initial relief effort. The gesture would, however, reflect the genuine sentiment of Republicans who, like all Americans, want to help a city facing such a bleak future. We heard similar complaints — easily brushed off — about the Republicans' coming to New York for last year's convention.

No doubt there will be logistical problems. There were logistical problems putting on big events in New Orleans even in the best of times. But the Republicans held their convention there in 1988, and should return 20 years later. They will go to a city that then will, no doubt, still be scarred by the catastrophe of the last week, but back on its feet, and a perfect venue for a testament to the American spirit.

http://www.nationalreview.com/script/printpage.p?ref=/editorial/editors200509031654.asp

Just like the Repukes using NYC for the 2004 convention. Reeks of political opportunism.

Lets pick a city in a red state that shows America Democrats are willing to bring their values and promises for a better America to them. My vote is for Denver.