If you were a Republican...would you do a DJing job for the Democrats or vice-versa?
Question inserted today by Jim Casey
Boston grabs Dem Convention for '04
WASHINGTON - Boston was unanimously selected this morning to be the site of the 2004 Democratic National Convention, beating three other cities to snare its first ever political nominating party.
Democratic National Committee Chairman Terry McAuliffe called Mayor Thomas M. Menino after the vote, saying ``I've got great news, Boston is the site for our 2004 convention.''
Over a chorus of cheers in his City Hall office, Menino called the selection ``a new beginning for our city.''
McAuliffe said the weeklong convention will be held at the FleetCenter starting July 26, 2004.
State and city officials said the convention will bring an estimated $15 million boost to the local economy and create 5,000 new jobs. It also puts Boston squarely on the map as an international convention city.
``This is a great day for Boston, 2004 will be a great year for our party,'' said U.S. Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.), who, with Menino, led Boston's bid to the national Democratic Party.
Boston was chosen over New York, Detroit and Miami in large part because Menino and Kennedy secured nearly $50 million in public and private financing, far beyond what the other cities offered. The selection came despite some initial concerns among some of the Democratic Party's site selection committee about the city's racial diversity.
The 45-member committee, which visited Boston this summer, voted unanimously at Washington's Capitol Hilton Hotel - with Kennedy and U.S. Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) on hand.
Kerry, who is expected to run for president and, if he wins the primary, would be nominated in his hometown, said Boston will be a showcase for the world.
``We're going to show America the city upon the hill,'' Kerry said. ``We're so high on this.''
http://www2.bostonherald.com/news/local_re...ven11132002.htm
[ November 14, 2002, 09:51 AM: Message edited by: djmaine ]