DNC host city short list: Birmingham, Columbus, NYC, Philly, Phoenix

[Adam Griffin]

Based on the convention locations of our past two conventions, Atlanta just makes sense. In 2008 and 2012, the DNC picked areas that either were on the verge of becoming or had just became swing states. I'm sure there were plenty of other considerations for the location, but that had to be a prime consideration. There is also a ton of potential political infrastructure that could come into Georgia by being selected in '16. If I were "the DNC", then I'd want to have boots on the ground in the newest swing state two months before the election.

Looking at 2016, the only new possible addition of a swing state is Georgia; Arizona and Texas are fool's gold. I suppose Hillary could upend the map and create a few potential swing states that wouldn't otherwise be there, but considering that the pick will be made right around or before she would announce (Charlotte was picked in Feb '11), I'm banking on it being a tactical decision based on a neutral electoral environment (again, assuming they pick the most rapidly-ripening state).

It doesn't make sense to have it in the Rust Belt, NY/CA would be a waste, and so would any Deep South state that's vying with AR and OK over how crazy and/or Republican it can get.

I'm as irritated at the GOP dominance of GA as you are, but I think Hillary will win AZ and MO before she wins GA.

I have many data points lying around somewhere that shows how AZ is much less likely to flip before GA (if I have to boil it down to one simple statement, it is "blacks versus latinos"). MO is moving in the opposite direction of GA, but Hillary would probably do well there. Any other Democrat, however, would do worse in MO than in GA (and like I said, I think the DNC will pick a location based on a neutral political environment, rather than a Hillary-specific scenario).

[Mr. Morden]

Miami and Orlando are dropping out of the bidding:

http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/06/03/4155556/miami-drops-2016-democratic-national.html

http://www.clickorlando.com/news/orlando-drops-bid-to-host-2016-democratic-national-convention/26310212

So here's what we're left with…..

Cities that have been asked to bid, and have publicly shown some interest:

Atlanta
Cleveland
Columbus
Nashville
New York City
Philadelphia
Phoenix
Pittsburgh

Cities that have been asked to bid, and haven't indicated one way or the other if they're interested:

Chicago
Detroit
Las Vegas (Harry Reid has offered support for a Vegas bid, but I haven't seen any comments from the city itself showing that they're interested.....though they did bid for the RNC, so I'd assume they'd be cool with the DNC)
Salt Lake City

Cities that have been asked to bid, but have ruled themselves out of the running:

Indianapolis
Miami
Orlando

[Frozen Sky Ever Why]

Salt Lake City would be great. We need to have the convention in Utah.

[Mr. Illini]

As much as I want it in Chicago, Columbus would be a better strategic location. A rapidly growing urban center in a key swing state...DO IT.

[The Mikado]

Clearly Detroit is the way to go.  The America of tomorrow, today. 

[Warren 4 Secretary of Everything]

Atlanta is key.

[Non Swing Voter]

I think the Dems need to just play it safe/play defense.  My vote would be for Philly.  Lock up the mid-atlantic (Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, New Jersey, Delaware, DC) and game nearly over.

[Mr. Morden]

Apparently preliminary bids are due on the DNC at the close of business today (Friday, June 6th), so we could be hours away from knowing who is bidding.  Looks like Las Vegas will not bid:

http://www.reviewjournal.com/politics/las-vegas-no-go-2016-democratic-convo

Again, based on previous reporting, it looks like these cities have expressed interest, and so there's a decent chance that they'll be submitting a bid:

Atlanta
Cleveland
Columbus
Nashville
New York City
Philadelphia
Phoenix
Pittsburgh

But information is scarce.  This isn't being covered as widely as the RNC process was.

[bedstuy]

There's a Times article on Brooklyn as a DNC site.

I think it's a great idea.  Brooklyn is the largest city to never host a National convention and obviously, the best city in America. 

[BaconBacon96]

There's a Times article on Brooklyn as a DNC site.

I think it's a great idea.  Brooklyn is the largest city to never host a National convention and obviously, the best city in America. 

Brooklyn is already safe D territory. There's no need to hold it there.

[Mr. Morden]

Here are the cities that have submitted bids….

Cleveland: http://fox8.com/2014/06/06/cleveland-submits-bid-to-host-2016-democratic-national-convention/

Columbus: http://www.10tv.com/content/stories/2014/06/06/columbus-enters-bid-to-host-democratic-national-convention.html

New York City: (in Brooklyn) http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/mayor-de-blasio-bids-barclays-center-host-2016-democratic-national-convention-blog-entry-1.1820003

Philadelphia: http://www.abc27.com/story/25715998/philly-submits-bid-for-2016-democratic-convention

Meanwhile, Pittsburgh is out: http://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2014/06/06/Pittsburgh-drops-bid-for-Democratic-National-Convention/stories/201406060233

Haven't heard about the other cities yet.  Atlanta, Nashville, Phoenix?  They all expressed interest at one point.  Are they out?  Post any news you find here.

[Suburbia]

Columbus would be a good city for the DNC.

[IceSpear]

Really hoping they pick Philly...

[JRP1994]

Brooklyn is the best choice.

[Mr. Morden]

Nashville is out:

http://www.tennessean.com/story/news/politics/2014/06/06/nashville-pursue-democratic-convention/10114235/

So we still have Cleveland, Columbus, NYC, and Philly as the only confirmed bids.

But still trying to figure out if Atlanta or Phoenix submitted bids.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

http://www.politico.com/story/2014/06/democratic-national-convention-six-cities-bid-107560.html
It's Birmingham, Cleveland, Columbus, New York, Philadelphia and Phoenix.

[retromike22]

Birmingham?! When I first saw that I thought it was the UK Birmingham.

[Mr. Morden]

Update:

http://www.politico.com/story/2014/06/democratic-national-convention-six-cities-bid-107560.html

Six cities submitted bids in the end, so these are the finalists:

Birmingham
Cleveland
Columbus
New York City
Philadelphia
Phoenix

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[Warren 4 Secretary of Everything]

Seriously Kasim Reed? You didn't submit a bid why? Yet Birmingham did?

[Frodo]

Update:

http://www.politico.com/story/2014/06/democratic-national-convention-six-cities-bid-107560.html

Six cities submitted bids in the end, so these are the finalists:

Birmingham
Cleveland
Columbus
New York City
Philadelphia
Phoenix

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It's unfortunate Atlanta didn't bid. 

Well, here's to hoping the DNC ultimately picks Phoenix. 

[JRP1994]

Birmingham would be hilarious.

[Donerail]

Cheering for Birmingham - DNC in Birmingham, featuring Senators Nunn and Childers, would terrify the GOP at its core. At the very least it'd be fun to watch.

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

Update:

http://www.politico.com/story/2014/06/democratic-national-convention-six-cities-bid-107560.html

Six cities submitted bids in the end, so these are the finalists:

Birmingham
Cleveland
Columbus
New York City
Philadelphia
Phoenix

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It's unfortunate Atlanta didn't bid. 

Well, here's to hoping the DNC ultimately picks Phoenix. 

So that everyone can die of heatstroke?

[Snowstalker Mk. II]

Phoenix is not a real city.

[Warren 4 Secretary of Everything]

I'm pulling for Columbus now.