[Denver Bear]

I guess we will just have to disagree on this one then Gabe, I make Nader look like Hitler.....

[soonermeteor]

Insider Debbie Willhite with the Dems says their are "key meetings" next week that are going to decide the location and that Denver has a "90% chance".

[robbobpdx]

Insider Debbie Willhite with the Dems says their are "key meetings" next week that are going to decide the location and that Denver has a "90% chance".

:previous: Hi Denverites,

Just popped in from the Pacific NW, and found this thread interesting. I didn't even realize the Dems had Denver as a finalist for the convention in 2008. Is there any concern there of anti-gay sentiment (anti-minority sentiment) in Colorado, given the recent election results. I'm mainly referring to the Referendum basically overturning equal rights for gays. I realize there are lots of states that have consitutional amendments defining marriage as man-woman (including mine :( ). I'm just curious if the subject has come up with the Dems. I know it can be frustrating if the city of Denver voted these things down, but he state approve them . . . that's what happened in Oregon also. Anyway, just curious.

[BarbulaM1]

We just tend to blame El Paso and Douglas Counties...

[wong21fr]

Uh, the referendum (Referendum I) was for basic rights and ended losing by about 30,000 votes out of 1.7 million. A bad bit of luck considering the timing, the New Jersey annoucement a couple of weeks before the election and than our local hero, Pastor Haggard. It didn't take much to freak out the peons down in El Paso County.

Or, if you are refering to the nefarious Amendent 2, that's dead and buried.

[Giovoni]

We just tend to blame El Paso and Douglas Counties...

thats because it's accurate

[twellsie]

:previous: Hi Denverites,

Just popped in from the Pacific NW, and found this thread interesting. I didn't even realize the Dems had Denver as a finalist for the convention in 2008. Is there any concern there of anti-gay sentiment (anti-minority sentiment) in Colorado, given the recent election results. I'm mainly referring to the Referendum basically overturning equal rights for gays. I realize there are lots of states that have consitutional amendments defining marriage as man-woman (including mine :( ). I'm just curious if the subject has come up with the Dems. I know it can be frustrating if the city of Denver voted these things down, but he state approve them . . . that's what happened in Oregon also. Anyway, just curious.

I haven't heard of any such concern by the DNC, but then again even states considered more open-minded, like Massachusetts, have got their outspoken bigots on this issue like Governor Mitt Romney. I don't think it will matter to the Dems.

[BroncoCSU05]

if ya'll haven't realized...the dems have basically abandoned the gays in their political policies already. sad, really.

[DenverInfill]

if ya'll haven't realized...the dems have basically abandoned the gays in their political policies already. sad, really.

That's hardly the case. It was the Democratic-controlled state legislature that put Ref I on the ballot in the first place, and which candidate Ritter supported. Do you think the Republicans, if they had retained control of the legislature, would have ever offered Coloradans the opportunity to vote on domestic partnerships for gays?

[BroncoCSU05]

republicans are FAR off and would absolutely NEVER consider it, but if you haven't seen lately, most dems are going into "borderline" mode and trying to flat out avoid the issue altogether. it's sadly becoming less and less of a platform issue for them because they're scared it'll cost them votes. not to say that people have given them a reason to not try avoiding the subject...god people are stupid....i'm totally ashamed "i" didn't pass here.

[rds70]

if ya'll haven't realized...the dems have basically abandoned the gays in their political policies already. sad, really.

I'm not sure that is accurate.

The Dems have promised to bring the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) back up this session, and Ritter has said he will sign the legislation. Owens vetoed it twice.

Several legislators have also said they will introduce a broader domestic partnership bill during the next session. It would be something that would allow all couples straight or gay to enter in to.

[Front_Range_Guy]

Posted by Wong21fr
peons down in El Paso County.

Name calling is not necessary. Thank you.

It is true though, El Paso and Douglas Counties are the centers of conservative idealogy in Colorado. You can't blame the rest of the state, and you certainly can't blame the city of Denver for the backwards thinking down here... and I think (hope) the dems understand that.

[Top Of The Park]

....the problem is we are outnumbered two and a half to one....which kind of explains how an idiot like Lamborn got elected in a landslide for District 7. Colorado Springs is the land of billboards showing aborted fetuses....yet a woman breast feeding is immoral.

[Front_Range_Guy]

....the problem is we are outnumbered two and a half to one....which kind of explains how an idiot like Lamborn got elected in a landslide for District 7. Colorado Springs is the land of billboards showing aborted fetuses....yet a woman breast feeding is immoral.

True. Unless you ask Michael Merrifield. :rolleyes:

[Paulopolis]

Dems aim to repeat success in the West
By CATHERINE TSAI, Associated Press Writer
22 minutes ago



DENVER - Prominent Western Democrats who have snatched Senate seats and governorships from Republicans in recent years are joining forces with the hope of spreading their party's success to the White House.

ADVERTISEMENT

The New West Project, to be formally announced Dec. 18, would outline strategies for reaching Western voters and the issues critical to them.

Colorado Gov.-elect Bill Ritter said Wednesday that he had agreed to be a co-chair. Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada, Sen. Ken Salazar of Colorado and other Western senators have agreed to provide expertise and guidance on the region, said Jon Summers, Reid's spokesman.

Other Western governors also were expected to participate.

"Six years ago, people would have looked at the Rocky Mountain West and said Democrats were about ready to be buried for generations to come, and yet somehow over the last several years, we've been able to get back into the saddles of our horses," said Salazar, who cited the party agenda on energy, health care and land preservation.

Democrats have long held governorships in Oregon and Washington state while Republicans maintained a grip elsewhere in the West. Since 2002, however, Democrats have won governorships in Montana, Kansas, Wyoming, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arizona and now Colorado.

"They governed as pragmatists, they were problem-solvers, they took on the issues that the people in their states wanted them to take on," Ritter said. "That's the point of the New West strategy."

The changing face of the West has made it a battleground for both parties.

Immigration from Latin America and Asia has affected the makeup and politics of the Rocky Mountains, Pacific Northwest and Southwest, said Margaret O'Mara, associate director of The Bill Lane Center for the Study of the North American West at Stanford University.

O'Mara said voters are mobilizing around social issues and foreign policy, and ballot measures, referenda and hefty voters guides are common.

"The West is the home of the independent voter," she said.

She predicted that political trends starting in the West will continue to spread elsewhere.

"I'd make the argument that as goes the West, so goes the nation," O'Mara said.

Democrats are taking other steps to focus on the West. They awarded Nevada an early presidential caucus and are considering Denver for their 2008 national convention.

Summers pointed out that while much of the nation's attention was focused on Ohio's 20 electoral votes as the key to the 2004 presidential election, the 19 combined electoral votes of Nevada, Colorado and New Mexico also could have won the election for Democrats.

[soonermeteor]

..seems like its up and down with this thing. Im mad too, because I just got back from Okla, turn on the computer and see this. I want to be in a good Colorado mood......





Denver may not land 2008 convention

By JENNIFER TALHELM, Associated Press Writer Fri Dec 15, 7:40 PM ET

WASHINGTON - Mile-high hopes are dimming that Denver will secure the 2008 Democratic convention.
:

Democrats posted against-the-odds victories in several statewide elections last month in the West, making Denver an attractive choice for a party looking to expand on recent gains in the Republican-leaning region. But even once-optimistic Colorado boosters are lowering their odds to 50-50 that Denver will beat out New York City for the convention.

Colorado Sen. Ken Salazar said this week that in private conversations
Democratic National Committee Chairman
Howard Dean had expressed legitimate concerns about whether Denver can raise the necessary $55 million and put on a seamless convention.

Colorado Democratic Party Chairwoman Pat Waak said Friday that whether Democrats will pick Denver "comes down to the practicality of (Denver) being able to do this."

"There probably is some sentimental favoritism toward Denver because the West is the new Democratic ground, and Colorado did so well in the last election," Waak said. "But everything I've heard is that this costs a lot of money to do and obviously New York is a much bigger city with a much bigger corporate base to raise money from."

Dean and the DNC have been mum about whether they are leaning toward Denver or New York. A decision is expected before the end of the year.

"We are still in negotiations with both cities and considering both bids equally," DNC spokeswoman Karen Finney said Friday.

Democrats are trying to avoid last-minute problems with fundraising and logistics that have plagued past conventions — Denver's biggest hurdle.

Western Democratic governors, including Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano, have pledged to help with fundraising, but convention organizers declined to say how much money they have raised.

"You have to understand we're competing against a city that has 8 million people," said Elbra Wedgeworth, leader for Denver's host committee. The city's population is about 557,000.

"We've raised a significant amount of money for Denver, and we feel we still have a competitive bid," Wedgeworth said.

It's not money alone that raises questions about Denver's ability to put on the convention. Salazar said Dean also questioned him about whether Denver can handle the 35,000 convention-goers. Denver needs to prove it has about 19,000 hotel rooms, union support and adequate security — hurdles that many believe New York can more easily clear.

Salazar, Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper and Colorado Gov.-elect Bill Ritter talked again with Dean on Friday. Salazar spokesman Cody Wertz said the three "came away feeling hopeful" that they can alleviate Dean's concerns about Denver.

The West has a political story Democrats are eager to tell — something solidly Democratic New York can't supply.

Democrats have made steady progress in the region, picking up governorships from Montana to Arizona in recent years and Colorado last month. Salazar's win in 2004 was followed by Democrat Jon Tester's Senate win in Montana this year. The party also has gained House seats and made significant inroads in state legislatures.

Many Democrats argue that if the party pays more attention to the West, the region will help elect a Democratic president.

"We always have felt that the pathway to the presidency is through the West," Wedgeworth said. "We think it's our turn and our time."

[rds70]

State's Dems tag-team Dean
Salazar, Ritter and Hick pitch Denver to DNC chairman

By Alan Gathright, Rocky Mountain News
December 16, 2006

Colorado's Democratic political power-troika - Gov.elect Bill Ritter, U.S. Sen. Ken Salazar and Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper - teamed up on a conference call Friday to tell party chairman Howard Dean that Denver has what it takes to put on a fantastic 2008 presidential nominating convention.

With former Vermont Gov. Dean expected to pick Denver or New York City early next week to host the national convention, the call was one last lobbying push to ease reported concerns about Denver's ability to raise enough money and hotel rooms, and to deliver on the mammoth logistical and security demands required by the $80 million political bash for 35,000 visitors.

The message of the 20-minute call was clear: "We would make it one of the best-run conventions in history," Hickenlooper recounted.

The Colorado leaders underscored "the fact that Denver's put on the G-8 Summit and we put on the NBA All-Star game," the mayor said. "On any given Friday or Saturday night when we have sporting events going on, we'll have 140,000 people coming in and out of our downtown. So this convention is not out of scale with what our city can do," the mayor added.

"All three of us pledged that we would raise the money and we would make sure that we had senior staff people that would make sure the logistics were handled and the security needs were met," Hickenlooper said.

Ritter spokesman Evan Dreyer said: "It was an effort to reassure Gov. Dean that Denver and Colorado can put on a good show."

The trio drove home the point that Colorado is "quite capable of doing this" and gave "overall assurance that if anything needs doing, it'll get done."

Salazar, who just Thursday raised concerns that Denver's odds were slipping, "came away from the conversation confident and enthusiastic about their chances," said his spokesman, Cody Wertz. "I think the three of them came away committed to ensure that they would make it work and address Gov. Dean's concerns.

"You've got three of the state's most influential political figures working on this issue and that's important," Wertz added.

"Sen. Salazar has been working tirelessly on this issue for several days," the spokesman said. Even while taking his wife and two daughters on a Colorado ski vacation, Salazar "has been on the phone constantly."

While the Democratic Party has been pressing Denver to bolster its fund-raising, Denver 2008 Host Committee leader Debbie Willhite said: "Right now, I would rather have our issues to overcome than New York's."

She was referring to the Big Apple's need to find temporary space to house thousands of journalists within Madison Square Garden's convention security zone, given that city's pricey, scarce real estate.

"I'd rather have to raise money than to find land in Manhattan," said Willhite, who helped run former President Bill Clinton's 1992 nominating convention at Madison Square Garden.

[FrancoRey]

Personally, I don't see how there is any choice in the matter. That last bit about finding land for the events in New York should hit it home for Denver. The Pepsi center, our new convention center...all within a few blocks radius of Downtown and our best hotels. The case of proximity is solved, and consolidation is much better than trying to catch a taxi on 52nd in the middle of an already congested city in New York. Plus, all the more incentive for our damn developers here in D-town to get their damn hotels up!!! Cmon, DAC, Embassy, Ritz and Four Seasons, put your backs into it and BUILD ALREADY!!! :hell:

[Giovoni]

Did anyone see the Daily Show last week.. they said something like Tehran was going to start having conventions to boost their economy. Stewart asked if the Dems would really consider that, and the response was that you could do worse than holding a convention in Tehran, or at least if anyone COULD do worse it would be the Democrats.

I think the Dems have to REALLY be careful. Going to New York would, to me, seem to be a sign of arrogance that people actually gave them a mandate this year. When actually it should be a wakeup call to them of just HOW BAD the country has to be before people will chose them to lead. The Republicans have already shown that they continue to be more clever and strategic by preempting them on chosing the twin cities before the Dems could. Which was a brilliant move on their part.. now the Democrats have to chose from looking like they haven't learned anything at all by going to New York and between a bid which may be risky and not come off without a hitch the way an experienced convention city like New York would provide.

[Giovoni]

Denver's convention hopes hit snag
A stagehands association leader refuses to sign a pledge not to strike if the Democrats come to town.
By George Merritt
Denver Post Staff Writer


The Pepsi Center in downtown Denver (Craig Walker / The Denver Post)Denver's bid to host the 2008 Democratic National Convention hit a serious snag Monday after a union leader refused to sign a no-strike pledge, with a decision due anytime.

City and union officials confirmed Monday that Jim Taylor, head of the local stagehands union, is refusing to sign a mandatory agreement with national Democrats pledging not to strike if the convention comes to Denver.

Debbie Willhite, executive director of the host committee, said not having full union support is "probably a deal breaker" for the DNC.

But Denver's director of theaters and arenas, Jack Finlaw, said he was "optimistic" that Taylor and the stagehands would sign on.

"There is still time," Finlaw said.

The decision could come as soon as today, but Democrats said they would finalize their 2008 convention by the end of the year.

Taylor, president of the Local No. 7 International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, balked at signing because labor views the Pepsi Center as anti- union, said labor leader Leslie Moody.

"I think that has been the case all along," said Moody, president of the Denver Area Labor Federation. "There are several unions that really aren't interested in signing on."

Union issues were a concern early on for the city when the Denver Area Labor Federation passed a resolution opposing the bid. But in August, the group shelved that resolution.

Taylor is upset that the convention would be held in a venue that is not unionized, Moody said.

Denver's host committee believed it had locked up union support when the resolution was dropped.

"They made a decision that they would have all the unions sign," Willhite said.

But Moody said that was not the case, and she questioned the city's commitment to labor.

"These folks have been calling me once a day at best," she said. "We are not the No. 1 concern. ... If we were the priority, they would have had somebody camped out at my door."

But Moody said union issues are not the only problem with Denver's bid. She pointed to financial and logistical issues, suggesting the metro area did not have enough hotel rooms.

"If somebody is saying labor is holding this up, then why were we brought in in the eleventh hour?" said Moody, who said she didn't get the agreement until a week ago.

The agreement not to strike is standard practice when a city bids for the party convention. In large part, it is a pledge not to participate in a work stoppage while the Democrats are in town.

At the Pepsi Center - the facility Democrats would use - stagehands are not unionized. So a stagehands strike would probably not affect the convention.

But Taylor's refusal to sign the nonstrike agreement would cripple Denver's bid for the convention.

"It's probably a deal breaker to our getting the convention," Willhite said.

Taylor could not be reached for comment Monday night.

Staff writer George Merritt can be reached at 303-954-1657 or gmerritt@denverpost.com


WOW... this is a great follow up to illustrate how spoiled rotten whiney stupid brats the people in charge of the Democratic party and our hopes of getting the convention really are. Can you believe the GALL of Denver officials only making ONE call EVERY day to this moron? Wow.. I feel so very sorry for anyone related to her or trying to date or befriend her... one lonely call a day isn't enough for her. No.. to feel important and needed she has to have someone in a pup tent outside her door.

Lets all gear up for the moronic Dems to hold their convention in NYC where they likely will renominate John Kerry so we can have the choice of voting as I said before.... "stupid" vrs "evil" and honestly watching this farcical circus from Orlando I'm feeling better and better about evil.

[wong21fr]

Remind me to beat a Teamster today. They are really going out of their way to make some political enemies of Colorado's Democrats.

[Giovoni]

No need to beat them.. they are doing everything in their power to make sure that the Republicans gain back power.. then they can have their clout REALLY eroded. And seriously... I could care less about the dissadvantaged in this country who constantly do whatever they can to elect officials who are going to not work in their best interests. When they and their posterity are unemployed and unskilled they'll have nothing to blame but the images in their bathroom mirrors ... assuming they aren't too short sighted to see that clearly.

[Ribeye]

This goes back to the concern regarding the hotel's union deal. Political suicide to lose a convention because of a union problem - an agreement that would actually have ZERO impact on logistical or event performance at the convention itself. All because a union leader didn't feel like she was in the loop and begged for inclusion. It's suicide for unions and its suicide for national Dems.

Gio's right that it's important to separate national from our local Dems. The triumvirate of Salazar, Ritter, and Hick have done nothing wrong and wouldn't be blamed ... but Dean and the DNC, they'd deserve a woodshed moment.

[InfillJunkie]

I shake my head at this pathetic turn of events. And by the way, I cannot believe I am currently looking at an ad for IndianMatrimonials.com?? WTF?!?!?!

[glowrock]

If this stupid decision by our local unions ends up with the DNC picking NYC for the 2008 Convention, my prediction is that the Dems will not only lose in 2008 here in Colorado (and the rest of the interior west), but they will also fail to take the presidency, period. One more Dem convention on the coasts will simply destroy any chance they had of taking some of the interior of the nation... :(

Aaron (Glowrock)

[navyweaxguy]

Look the Dems know that your vote doesn't count for the presidency. They got your vote during the mid term election. This is just a shell game. The Dems are gonna go where they can raise the most money for the party. Most likely that will be NYC.

[glowrock]

I agree with you that this is probably just a shell game by the DNC at this point, Navy. At the same time, this whole situation seems to PROVE that the Dems really don't give a damn about anyone not within 200 miles of both coasts, they've completely forgotten/ignored the interior of this country, and it's going to end up costing them any chance of regaining the Presidency come 2008... If it's just fundraising, just have it in NYC every other election cycle, and have it in L.A. for the other... You know, only have it in 2 or 3 locations, kind of like the Super Bowl! :)



Aaron (Glowrock)

[soonermeteor]

If this stupid decision by our local unions ends up with the DNC picking NYC for the 2008 Convention, my prediction is that the Dems will not only lose in 2008 here in Colorado (and the rest of the interior west), but they will also fail to take the presidency, period. One more Dem convention on the coasts will simply destroy any chance they had of taking some of the interior of the nation... :(

Aaron (Glowrock)

I will be so disappointed if Denver doesn't get the convention that I would hope the dems would lose because of the decision. I don't think that will happen though, the Republicans have screwed up so much I think even a donkey could win the presidency. :jester:

[wong21fr]

Hey, Hillary's not a donkey! Show some consideration for her feelings!

[SacTownAndy]

Looks like it's gonna be in Denver:


DENVER WINS DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION
By George Merritt
Denver Post Staff Writer
Article Last Updated: 01/11/2007 09:27:18 AM MST


National Democrats will announce today that they have picked Denver over New York for the 2008 Democratic National Convention, according to several sources close to the process.

Denver's imminent selection would bring the high-profile political gathering to the Pepsi Center in August 2008. About 35,000 delegates and journalists are expected for what business leaders hope will mean a more than $160 million boon for the city.

The decision comes after problems with both the Denver and New York bids forced the Democratic National Committee to delay its choice for weeks.

Chairman Howard Dean had planned to pick a city before 2007. But just as an announcement was expected, Denver hit "a possible deal-breaker" when a local union refused to promise not to strike during the convention.

Just as Denver was realizing its problems, New York - which rested the strength of its bid on its financial clout - announced it likely could not raise the money.

For months politicians and other officials from Montana to New Mexico have pushed Denver's bid for the convention as a way of tapping a new political resource for the Democrats. Chairman Dean's decision comes as an acknowledgement of his party's potential in the West.

Locally, city officials are touting the victory as the Mile High City's next stair-step toward becoming a major U.S. city.

Democrats had to weigh the city's maturity against its political potential in making the choice. In the months-long campaign for the convention, Denver was often a sentimental favorite, but the practicality of holding a large convention in a city of about 550,000 people created skepticism.

Questions about whether Denver officials could convince party leaders that the Denver community could raise the necessary millions of dollars and provide thousands of hotel rooms lingered throughout.

By contrast, New York's rival bid for the convention was grounded in its reputation as a convention regular and a financial juggernaut. The city has hosted five conventions since Denver last did, including the 2004 Republican National Convention.

But enthusiasm for the convention in New York waned as 2007 approached. In early January, Mayor Michael Bloomberg told reporters "we're just not in the business of paying for" coventions, according to the New York Times.

[DenverInfill]

woo hoo!! :banana:

[bunt_q]

Now *that's* worth some dancing fruit! :)

[soleri]

Congratulations Denver!

[glowrock]

I'm neither a Dem or a Rep, but damn, this IS huge news for Denver! :banana:

Now, time for those construction projects (especially the new hotels!) to get started, so everyone can see a ton of new construction and cranes when the eyes of the nation are on us next year! :)

Aaron (Glowrock)

[InfillJunkie]

Let's just hope we dont f*ck it up!

[CoVol]

Now *that's* worth some dancing fruit! :)

Hell yeah! :banana: :banana: :cucumber: :apple: :dancing: :leek: :pepper: :awesome: :tomato: :fruit: :banana: :banana: :cheers:

[joeindt]

Let's just hope we dont f*ck it up!

Thats what I'm talking about fuckers!

[soonermeteor]

Holy Crap YES!!!! :banana:

Take that East Coast :whip:

[bcp]

mmm....19 months till the convention - if there are going to be any new, large hotels completed in that time they better start this month

[Ribeye]

That's great news. I can finally unchain the teamster I had locked up in my closet.

[FrancoRey]

Woohoo! Just heard it on the news too...an official announcement by Democratic head Howard Dean will come at 1 PM MST...Go DENVER!!!

:banana: :banana: :apple: :cucumber: :tomato: :dancing: :tomato: :cucumber: :apple: :banana: :banana:

[FrancoRey]

As I said earlier....GET THE DAMN HOTELS UP!!! Teatro Four Seasons, Embassy, Homewood, DAC Hotel, W? GOGOGO!!! I want to see cranes and progress! Only 19 months until D-town will be flooded with some 50,000 visitors....they gotta stay somewhere! :tup:

[bunt_q]

You guys don't really think that one week (maybe two?) of guaranteed 100% occupancy is enough to turn the economics on the construction of a major hotel, do you?

[wong21fr]

Someone's always got to take the jam out of the doughnut. Let the guys have their exhuberance.

Remind me never, ever to put you on retainer, Bunt.

[FrancoRey]

Cmon, now. Obvoiusly hotels would not start building SOLELY because of a guaranteed occupancy for an event. But it would make us in Denver look better in our downtown if we have more new, glistening hotel highrises all over the place. Denver will grow on people more...some saying, "hmm. Maybe I will build a hotel in this city. Or maybe I'll buy a condo or two...this 'spire' tower looks nice..." Domino effect: everything new and orderly promotes more clout and prestige. Besides, the event is at least an incentive for hotels that are prolly going up anyway (Embassy) to finish construction before the last week of August '08.

[InfillJunkie]

As my previous poll suggested, the overwhelming concensus is that the DNC will have very little effect on downtown construction. Perhaps one hotel might get pushed to construction...who knows. I think the Embassy Suites and Homewood was already going to break ground sometime this spring...so, perhaps we will have one more go up. I dont think the DNC will have any effect on the Teatro. Only an act of God can help the winners at Teatro Tower LLC. Atleast we will have a lovely Ritz Carlton in full operation by this summer! Hmmmm, maybe we could see Phase II of the Museum Residences get built with its hotel/condo combo.

[bunt_q]

Someone's always got to take the jam out of the doughnut. Let the guys have their exhuberance.

Remind me never, ever to put you on retainer, Bunt.

I am exhuberant about this too, but come on, it's ridiculous... I'm not being a grump or unreasonable at all. But it makes us all sound like ignorant kids... isn't part of the forum to exchange actual, useful knowledge about the development world? Apparently not for you. But somebody needs to tell some folks that, no, this will not, in fact, make all that much difference (and thank you Junkie for doing that, you horrible grouchy pessimist you). Exhiberance is good - to a point. But around here, too much exhuberance leads to too much disappointment, and ultimately a worse rep for Denver (think Matt), because people don't understand that most of these proposals may never happen, and *that is okay* it's just part of the game.

And I truly hope you never get into any trouble if all you want out of your attorney is a good sugar-coating.

[bcp]

don't be such a debbie downer....

it probably wont' make or break deals, but it might be a sign of things to come as denver gears up for going for 2018 olympics....annual large events track record is required to win a bid, so DNC is a great start.

nevertheless, if they are gonna build and wnat to be ready....they better start right away.

[bobdreamz]

Congrats to Denver!.....CNN just did a glowing report on your city too on the Situation Room.

[wong21fr]

I am exhuberant about this too, but come on, it's ridiculous... I'm not being a grump or unreasonable at all. But it makes us all sound like ignorant kids... isn't part of the forum to exchange actual, useful knowledge about the development world? Apparently not for you. But somebody needs to tell some folks that, no, this will not, in fact, make all that much difference (and thank you Junkie for doing that, you horrible grouchy pessimist you). Exhiberance is good - to a point. But around here, too much exhuberance leads to too much disappointment, and ultimately a worse rep for Denver (think Matt), because people don't understand that most of these proposals may never happen, and *that is okay* it's just part of the game.

And I truly hope you never get into any trouble if all you want out of your attorney is a good sugar-coating.

Your remarks are quite valid, but you should not mistake some exhuberance on the part of a few formers for being insanely overzealous(aka Warren). Perhapes there is a little too much exhuberance on the forum, but you know what? It proves to be refreshing and provides a counter to those who have been on this forum for a few years and whose enthusiasm is all but erased and replaced with realism thanks to age and experience. We do need that pessimism and reality check that is provided, but not at the expense of making everyone a carbon copy with the same temperment and outlook. After all, not all of us can have the personality of a monkfish. ;)

As for the DNC, it will probably provide an incentive for a slight acceleration to the Embassy/Homewood Suites schedule, but that's it. It's a feather in Denver's cap, but it is not going to do much at all in regards to development.

[InfillJunkie]

(and thank you Junkie for doing that, you horrible grouchy pessimist you).

Awww I love you buntie-q!!! :naughty:

<Do you feel violated yet?>

[joeindt]

If not debbie downer, how about coco?

[Paulopolis]

Chanel? Coco Chanel?

Yeah, I don't think this will be the catalyst to get specific hotels built, but it is a watershed event, maybe the first national convention of a new "tradition" of having national conventions in Denver. That sort of thing definitely translates into increased hotel usage/development over the long run. In that way then, possibly, it does mean that certain hotels will get built. As Obi-wan Kenobi would say, things can be explained differently "from a certain point-of-view."

[dktshb]

Glad to see it come to Denver

[UrbanBrain]

That sums it up for me. Denver is just getting started. More growth, more density, definitely more transit.

And now a bit of a boost from the DNC coming to town.

Like I said... cool.

Just looking forward to seeing what might be next.
:yes:

[Matt]

The DNC convention will be just a temporary high. After it is over, the world will revert back to not caring about Denver. Just look at what the Pope's visit, Summit of the Eight, and other high-profile events have done for us. Still can't get Four Seasons out of the ground. Sad, sad...

That being said, what a tremendous coup for Denver! We are long overdue for a large event like this!

[denverryan]

Yeah, but if we regularly host these events (and they keep pushing toward more big-deal events like the Winter Olympics), more people will care about Denver and will invest. Hopefully all of this stuff is only the beginning...

[navyweaxguy]

He lives???

[Giovoni]

What did you think the chill in the air was from?

[blm3034L!fe]

^ :lmao:

OMG The Legend Lives...

[bunt_q]

Just look at what the Pope's visit, Summit of the Eight, and other high-profile events have done for us.

I think some people would argue Denver had a pretty damn good decade in the 90's...

Lucky for all of you, though... if Matt is back, it's sure to signal the return of upbeat optimistic Brent... because nobody could be more negative than Matt

[glowrock]

:haha:

Yeah, Brent speaks the truth! Noone, and I mean NOONE, could possibly be more negative than Matt! :)

Aaron (Glowrock)

[FrancoRey]

It is finally good to find out who the infamous "Matt" is. Salutations, dear sir. I have heard a lot about you. May your continued presence truly shine on our beloved forum discussions. :banaride: