Last week, the Democratic National Committee invited 15 cities to bid for 2016 Democratic National Convention. Here are the list of the cities that received invitations, as well as my opinions on each city's likelihood of being chosen. Each of them have until June 6 decide whether or not to submit a bid.
1.Atlanta-Yes
The Peach State might be more purple than you think. Georgia's changing demographics could make it's 16 electoral votes up for grabs in 2016. This fall Jason Carter, grandson of the 39th President, has a real shot at following his grandfather's footsteps towards the governor's mansion, while Michelle Nunn is leading all her Republican opponents in her bid to win her father's former Senate seat. A win by either Democrat will definitely help the city's chances.
2. Chicago-No
While the Windy City has held several democratic conventions in the past (the last one bering in 1996), having the convention in the home city of the incumbent President doesn't really scream "moving forward". Mayor Rahm Emmanuel's poor relationship with labor unions also makes a Chicago selection seem unlikely.
3. Cleveland-Yes
It's in Ohio, the state that put Obama over the top in 2012. Nuff said.
4. Columbus-Yes
Like Cleveland, it's in Ohio. Yet Columbus is much larger and has already created a YouTube video and a website for it's bid, while Cleveland hasn't. Columbus has also been described as one of the best cities in the country in terms of LGBTequality.
5. Detroit-No
If the Motor City can't afford to pay its bills, how could it afford to put up $50 to $60 million to host the political equivalent of the Super Bowl? Plus Michigan will remain blue in 2016, no matter who the Democratic nominee is.
6. Indanapolis-No
Obama won the Hoosier State by the slimmest of margins in 2008, yet four years later it went sharply back to the right. Mayor Greg Ballard has also said the city is unlikely to submit a bid.
7. Las Vegas-Yes
Nevada is trending blue, if not already a sold blue state thanks to it's growing Latino population. Vegas unfortunately doesn't have any sports arenas, so it's luck might depend on if the expansion of the Mandalay Bay Convention center will be done before the summer of 2016.
8. Miami-Yes
No Democrat has won Florida since the 1960s without winning Miami-Dade County by at least 90,000 votes. With it's 29 electoral votes, the Sunshine State is the biggest electoral prize in the next election.
9. Nashville-No
Not even Al Gore could win his home state of Tennessee.
10. New York-Yes
The most convenient choice for Hillary should she decide to run, the Big Apple would have no problem providing wealthy donors to help fund the convention and hotel space for convention goers and party leaders. Mayor Bill DeBlasio's "tale of two cities" campaign theme on income inequality might give a New York convention an economic populist message that could help fire up the base.
11. Orlando-Yes
Like Miami it's in Florida, the biggest electoral prize in the country. Being the location of DisneyWorld shouldn't hurt.
12. Philadelphia-Yes
Once a hard-fought battleground state, Pennsylvania is starting to become solidly Democratic. The city of Brotherly Love is also the fifth largest city in the nation. Popular former Mayor and former Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell is already trying to raise $60 million from Philadelphia's business leaders for a bid, along with U.S. Representative Bob Brady.
13. Phoenix-Yes
Though it has only gone blue one since 1948, Arizona's 11 electoral votes might be up for grabs in 2016 due to its rising hispanic population.
14. Pittsburg-Yes
Though not as big as Philadelphia, this other Pennsylvania city might be chosen due to its leadership on developing environmentally friendly buildings. The city is also home to nine Fortune 500 companies, which may help it to raise money for a convention bid.
15. Salt Lake City-No
The only reason SLC is being considered is because it's one of the top 51 gay-friendly cities in America. Other than that there's no reason for the Democrats to hold their next convention here. The eventual nominee will certainly lose Utah, as has been the case in the past 50 years.
1.Atlanta-Yes
The Peach State might be more purple than you think. Georgia's changing demographics could make it's 16 electoral votes up for grabs in 2016. This fall Jason Carter, grandson of the 39th President, has a real shot at following his grandfather's footsteps towards the governor's mansion, while Michelle Nunn is leading all her Republican opponents in her bid to win her father's former Senate seat. A win by either Democrat will definitely help the city's chances.
2. Chicago-No
While the Windy City has held several democratic conventions in the past (the last one bering in 1996), having the convention in the home city of the incumbent President doesn't really scream "moving forward". Mayor Rahm Emmanuel's poor relationship with labor unions also makes a Chicago selection seem unlikely.
3. Cleveland-Yes
It's in Ohio, the state that put Obama over the top in 2012. Nuff said.
4. Columbus-Yes
Like Cleveland, it's in Ohio. Yet Columbus is much larger and has already created a YouTube video and a website for it's bid, while Cleveland hasn't. Columbus has also been described as one of the best cities in the country in terms of LGBTequality.
5. Detroit-No
If the Motor City can't afford to pay its bills, how could it afford to put up $50 to $60 million to host the political equivalent of the Super Bowl? Plus Michigan will remain blue in 2016, no matter who the Democratic nominee is.
6. Indanapolis-No
Obama won the Hoosier State by the slimmest of margins in 2008, yet four years later it went sharply back to the right. Mayor Greg Ballard has also said the city is unlikely to submit a bid.
7. Las Vegas-Yes
Nevada is trending blue, if not already a sold blue state thanks to it's growing Latino population. Vegas unfortunately doesn't have any sports arenas, so it's luck might depend on if the expansion of the Mandalay Bay Convention center will be done before the summer of 2016.
8. Miami-Yes
No Democrat has won Florida since the 1960s without winning Miami-Dade County by at least 90,000 votes. With it's 29 electoral votes, the Sunshine State is the biggest electoral prize in the next election.
9. Nashville-No
Not even Al Gore could win his home state of Tennessee.
10. New York-Yes
The most convenient choice for Hillary should she decide to run, the Big Apple would have no problem providing wealthy donors to help fund the convention and hotel space for convention goers and party leaders. Mayor Bill DeBlasio's "tale of two cities" campaign theme on income inequality might give a New York convention an economic populist message that could help fire up the base.
11. Orlando-Yes
Like Miami it's in Florida, the biggest electoral prize in the country. Being the location of DisneyWorld shouldn't hurt.
12. Philadelphia-Yes
Once a hard-fought battleground state, Pennsylvania is starting to become solidly Democratic. The city of Brotherly Love is also the fifth largest city in the nation. Popular former Mayor and former Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell is already trying to raise $60 million from Philadelphia's business leaders for a bid, along with U.S. Representative Bob Brady.
13. Phoenix-Yes
Though it has only gone blue one since 1948, Arizona's 11 electoral votes might be up for grabs in 2016 due to its rising hispanic population.
14. Pittsburg-Yes
Though not as big as Philadelphia, this other Pennsylvania city might be chosen due to its leadership on developing environmentally friendly buildings. The city is also home to nine Fortune 500 companies, which may help it to raise money for a convention bid.
15. Salt Lake City-No
The only reason SLC is being considered is because it's one of the top 51 gay-friendly cities in America. Other than that there's no reason for the Democrats to hold their next convention here. The eventual nominee will certainly lose Utah, as has been the case in the past 50 years.
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