Burnt Orange Report

Having a Democratic Convention in Dallas would probably indirectly help out the local parties, but I don't think Dallas is on shortlist for the Convention.

Houston might have a reasonable chance of getting the convention.

I don't see San Antonio getting the convention at all.

I've been reading suggestions of New Orleans, or Denver, or places like that, for the 2008 Democratic National Convention.

But, if the Democratic Party can make a serious effort to try and win people in the Southern US back to the party, then that would be pretty cool, and useful too.

2008 in Houston? It'd obviously be at the Toyota Center, but they could spin off some ancillary events at the Convention Center that's within walking distance. Also, the conditions which led to our withdrawal from consideration in 2004 don't seem as applicable for 2008 and the sting of missing out on the Olympics might lead to a sizable push by Team White to show off the finished work on some of the changes we've built around town. At worst, I don't see how we can be lower than SLC on the pecking order.

Hard to suggest where the leading candidates are out of a pack of 35 (as the link suggests). My hunch is that all the Texas locations would be a longshot, though. Just glancing at the list, I'd have to think that Denver, Kansas City, and Chicago could/should be up there. That's just based on geography, though ... bids and facility issues (and which towns actually respond in kind) come into play later. I've got to think Houston at least puts in a proposal.

Then again, a convention in NYC could be interesting, as well, is HRC is the nominee. Not just the state connection, but also with regard to 1992 being the year NYC hosted the convo to nominate another Clinton.

LOL...The Democrat Convention in Dallas...perfect...I can just envision John Wiley Price being the keynote speaker..and Al Lipscomb giving the nominating speech for the other Klintoon to be the Democrat Party nominee..then a rowsing "yeeeaaaarrrrgggghhhhh" by Democrat National Committee Chair Howie Dean. Oh, and we can't forget about a possible "Americans are stupid" lecture by Michael Moore...LOL

Wow, Trey. That was useless.

I don't think the DNC convention should be in Texas. That's like the RNC hosting their convention in San Francisco. Just plain doesn't make sense.

I'd like to see it somewhere in the Midwest. That's the one region in the country that continues to be hit hardest by the economy. The, how shall I say, "ballsiest" place to hold it would be in Orlando, or Tampa, or somewhere in Florida. Lil' Jeb's backyard. Even though hurricane season probably comes into effect, it could be a good way to focus attention/money to start winning back that state.

Where better than to demonstrate how the Republicans have screwed everyone over, starting with Texans? Houston's Party (Democrat & in the literal sense) infrastructure can handle the task.

Typical dem bulb thinking. Let's have it in NOLA - there might be some electricity by then, maybe some potable water & food. Mayor Nagin could sure use the help & the planning & referral fees. So what's a little inconvenience for the delegates, candidates, vendors, & supporters. Nitwits.

Why would anyone want to go to Dallas or Houston for a convention?

So if the Dems have their convention in New Orleans, will Mayor Nagin allow them to use any unused buses for transportation within the city? Or will he complain that the DNC didn't provide him with enough assistance, as he whined that the feds didn't provide him with enough assistance during the Katrina fiasco, when he had all the school buses available??
And I think San Francisco would be perfect for the Democrat Convention in '08. After all, with the Dems pushing for gay marriage, higher taxes, pacifism when it comes to military conflict and last but not least, damaging our military's morale (i.e. going to Iraq and making the soldiers feel like what they're doing is useless), a liberal playground such as San Fran would be a perfect fit. Maybe a parade featuring NAMBLA (the North American Man-Boy Love Association) and a legal aid booth from the ACLU would help complement the core of the Dem activists.

As long as we're acting like children...Trey, you're stupid!

Listen the DNC will be all about the national message, and a total drain on the state and local staff and leaders, funders, and volunteers. It a dream not worth pursuing. One needs a big wig elected statewide D to even have a shot at pulling this off. Be real, file candidates for statewide before you try and host a DNC national convention. Hillary will never allow the convetion to come to such a red state either.

Hey Trey! Where are Trent, Brent and all the other Republican sounding guys? Must be at the Country Club putting out fires on the greens!

Seriously, to this native Texian, ex-New Orleanian and present beachside Californian the suggestion of the 2008 DNC in the "heart of darkness" may not be as crazy as it first sounds--for me, more than just an excuse to come back to see the folks, hassle Republicans (like shooting fish in a barrel lately) and munch on bar-b-que and creole cuisine (still my favorite). After all, Houston has a very popular Democratic mayor and Dallas has a no-nonsense Democratic lesbian Sheriff. Dallas County (and I believe Harris also) is trending Democratic. And the Republicans will love it or, as Harry Truman said: "we will make them love it!"

The Big Easy might be the most interesting and provocative convention venue of all. I drove the Magnum R/T there thru miles and miles of Texas late last month from Venice Beach. It really has to be seen up close and personal to be believed (Most of you people in Burnt Orange Territory are closer, but not close enough. Get over there and see for yourselves, they need the visitors and the business). Mile after mile of utter destruction and still no real credible plan from the Republicans "in charge" that does not involve some fairly obvious "racial cleansing" and/or Republican "gentrification." My college academic advisor at Loyola was holed up in his office because his house was full of mold. The receptionist at the Monteleone Hotel told me "oh yeah, I lost my house in New Orleans East." I heard it over and over again, saw it on on everyone's face, in the Ninth Ward, Gentilly, up Elysian Fields, over to Lakeview and back though Mid City. But the ones I saw there are doing their work and making an effort to bring it back.

The Morial Convention Center is huge and will no doubt be up and running by 2008, with lots of hotel rooms and great food (had a great five star Italian dinner at Andrea's in Metairie when I was there last month). America needs to "come home" to New Orleans, birthplace of jazz and a good time for all, because of and despite all the challenges. The "evacuees" (all of 'em) need effective assistance to go back, and a credible plan to do so (not the usual smug, nose holding Republican "charity," cronyism and incompetence).

My own evil fantasy, based on personal experience, is to return to New Orleans, reactivate my Louisiana law license, set up a
1-800-SUE-FEMA line, buy some shark skin and seersucker suits and do real esate closings. After all, I successfully sued FEMA in N.O. on a flood insurance claim in 1980, and I still know my way to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana for all the FEMA suits that are surely on the way. Was also involved in a real estate suit (in the same court house) against a reputed tomato salesman, the late Carlos Marcello, at the same time. After the trial he offered my boss a job (very politely declined). Since I wrote the legal briefs I figure the offer applied to me as well and might still be open. Carlos' son Joseph Marcello inherited a huge tract of land from his father accross the Mississippi from New Orleans on which LA based KB Homes plans to build 20,000 houses. 20,000 real estate closings and my favorite restaurant, Mosca's, right nearby on Highway 90 in Avondale.

That's a lot closings, even for Country Club Republicans with names like Trey, Trent and Brent!

I think if Houston really went after a bid, they might have a shot, but I think it would remain a long shot. Unlike other purple states such as Colorado or Florida, Texas remains out of reach for the Democrats, so there's just not much to gain by going to Texas.

Follow the convention site selection at 2008 Democratic Convention Watch.

"Unlike other purple states such as Colorado or Florida, Texas remains out of reach for the Democrats, so there's just not much to gain by going to Texas."

Nattering Nabobs of Negativism. Or whatever Spiro Agnew said. Why do Texas Democrats doom themselves so? Things CAN change. I don't believe any district is totally Republican. If enough Democrats voted and not enough Republicans voted, that right there would change things.

I don't know that Republicans are a true majority in some cases apart from simply the numbers of Republicans who vote as opposed to the numbers of Democrats who don't. So few eligible voters actually vote. That is because of apathy. And dooming yourself is what produces the apathy. Taking the attitude that it doesn't matter. So why vote? Worse, it produces apathy among people who might run for office but assume they can't win, so why bother?

If Texas Democrats won back part of the legislature and put a Democrat in the governor's mansion in 2006, that in itself would probably put Houston at the top of the list for the convention in 2008.

So think positive. You have to believe something can happen before it will.

Tom:
Your stereotype that Republicans are all country members is about as credible as one saying that all Democrats take time each day to put on tye-dye T-shirts, hug trees, worship pagan gods, burn American flags and smoke some pot.
As for Dallas, the only good thing about that city any more is its entertainment venues. The football team, Dallas Cowboys, is not even in Dallas; it's in Irving and will soon be in Arlington. Several schools in the Dallas ISD have been rated as unacceptable by the state education agency, and the Dallas County Commissioners Court and DISD meetings have been made into a laughingstock as the NAACP and Black Panthers have controlled the shape of their agendas. The murder rate in Dallas has been among the highest in the United States. Even several Democrats who live in various parts throughout the state have unfavorable impressions of that city.
As for Houston, very little good about that city either. High crime, major major major traffic congestion, and the only things good about that town is the Rockets (for their fans) and Astroworld.
I would say the Dems could consider Fort Worth as a convention venue, but sorry, Tarrant County has been turning Republican in the same way that several feet of snow could make parts of West Texas almost look like Colorado in no time. And Fort Worth's Democratic mayor, Mike Moncrief, is not your typical Democrat for what a typical Democrat would be considered these days -- he has the respect of people from both parties. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.
Democrats have been dreaming of taking at least one statewide office back since 1998. Come to reality Dems, and we might give you consideration once again. Especially if you sit down and learn from respectable Dems such as Pete Laney and John Sharp -- not liberal windbags like Senfronia Thompson and Jim Hightower.

Not saying all Republicans are members of the local country club, but as someone who grow'd up both in Ft. Worth (Republican before it was cool and member of Ridglea CC--gave it all up in the Watergate era for a much more interesting and diverse life) five will get you ten that those named Trey, Trent and Brent will likely be. I fully realize that Republicans nowadays are not only money mongers, but those who shamelessly suck up to them, as well as religious fanatics and highly gullible people of all stripes and walks of life, the sort of folks who still keep the faith that there are WMDs in Iraq (over 20% according to the latest poll). Kind of like a middle aged geek named "Scooter." It just leaves a certain, often accurate impression, don't it?

As for tie dyed t-shirts, I saw a father-son duo in a pair of 'em last night, and honestly I could not tell their party affiliation. Most of them didn't have any, they just tuned in, turned on and dropped out.

You are just as misinformed (and defensive) about the convention biz. As a former Dallasite (briefly, just long enough to pass the Texas bar exam and close the Throckmorton Mining Co. every night) and Houstonian (five years or so), I can tell you that both places were at least as dismal when the Republicans had there conventions there as they are now--murder rates, crime rates, bad traffic and nearly unbearable weather. As for football teams, one has to really not have a life to put much stock in that sort of thing. What the site committees will be looking for is a political advantage, but obviously facilities, accomodations and their availability are essential.

As for the racial politics in Dallas (a subject you Republicans always seem to be obsessed with, and I know because I grew up with them), that has always been a given, as one might expect for a locale whose moniker is "Moat City," whether it was ruled by a white "business dictatorship" or when those most oppressed by the ruling class get restless from time to time.

As a Ft. Worth native, I wouldn't mind having either party have its convention in the old hometown (both my mother, a recovering Republican and I could have a field day), but where the hell would you have it and where in the heck would everyone stay? This ain't the Olympics and the local captains of commerce aren't going to build an arena or a "Delegates' Village" just to host a political convention.

Would allow that the Republicans could hold theirs at Will Rogers Memorial Center, though. Squeeze 'em all into the arena and they could have various caucus meeting rooms, rendition drop off and reception areas, "special interrogation" chambers, "hospitality suites," bagman drop offs and media interview stand ups out back in the barns where they exhibit the all the livestock during the Rodeo in January. With the Republicans there, it would be the same 'ol bullshit, and tons of it, but imagine the smell in the summer heat? Worse than the Stockyards used to be, by far. People might start coming to their senses, even in Ft. Worth.

NBA Southwest Division standings:
San Antonio 23-7
Dallas 21-7 (1 game back)
Memphis 17-10 (4.5 games back)
New Orleans 12-16 (10 games back)
Houston 10-17 (11.5 games back)

Dallas may not be the most exciting city in the world, but don't knock the sports. The Mavs are on fire this year. (Certainly moreso than the Rockets...)

Still, I agree that the DNC has little to gain by having the convention in Texas. New Orleans would be an emotional favorite. The attention would help get the city back on track, and it might even remind people of Bush's response to Katrina (the same way the RNC had their convention in New York to remind people of 9/11). The question would be, is there time to rebuild the city before 2008?

Oh Trey, honey chile, you carry on so. We could hold the convention at your place. You're alway telling me you can take and hold anything.

SWAK.

"...all Democrats take time each day to put on tye-dye T-shirts, hug trees, worship pagan gods, burn American flags and smoke some pot." You mean they DON'T?

"I don't think the DNC convention should be in Texas. That's like the RNC hosting their convention in San Francisco. Just plain doesn't make sense."

Or like the RNC hosting their convention in New York!

Oh, wait...

Never underestimate the power of playing against type, or going on the offensive. Heck, I'd recommend the Dems hold their convention in Crawford, Tex, if it had a 20,000-seat venue! Take the fight deep into enemy territory. Concede nothing. That's what Rove would do.