The committee for the Democratic convention considers cuts in light of the fundraising shortfall.Consider starting with a less-expensive venue. Perhaps the Supermax in Virginia. The participants would feel at home and the commute would be short.
Millions of dollars behind in raising money and unlikely to meet a fast-approaching final deadline, the Denver committee hosting the Democratic National Convention is considering spending cuts.
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"There have been no specific decisions made," host committee spokesman Chris Lopez said. "We're always identifying costs and weighing them against our anticipated revenue." Lopez said the committee is still working to satisfy its full obligation.
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With less than 90 days to the convention and no way to stage it elsewhere, the shortfall in funds could mean the Democratic Party's plan to showcase itself in a smaller city will result in making do with less. The development could likewise hurt Denver's desire to showcase itself, both in the civic programs it wants to stage during the convention week and in future bids. "It's never good to not deliver the goods," said Eric Sondermann, a political analyst in Denver.
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Also, Denver has fewer corporate headquarters than past host cities, and fewer also than St. Paul, Minn., where the Republicans are holding their convention — and where fundraising is on schedule.
"But whether those are accepted as reasonable explanations years down the road when the particulars of 2008 are forgotten and Denver is making an application for some major event, time will tell," Sondermann said.
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DNCC spokeswoman Natalie Wyeth declined to discuss the matter but said in a statement, "We are always reviewing our budgets and plans to ensure we are being fiscally responsible and budgeting efficiently and effectively throughout the planning period."
The host committee sources didn't specify an amount they wish to cut. But committee officials are $15 million short of the $40 million in cash they are contractually obligated to raise by June 16. The committee also must raise $15 million in donated services, which, if those aren't offered, must be bought. The value of donated services offered to date has not been released.
The committee never established an $19.5 million line of credit it agreed to in its contract with the DNCC. Officials had said they didn't think it would be necessary. Now those officials say it would be impossible to establish.
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Denver's committee missed its first milestone in June 2007 by $1.5 million but hit its second deadline in December with $15 million. It missed its third deadline March 17 by $5 million, and has raised only $2 million since then.
Democratic National Convention fundraising progress
JUNE 2007
Goal: $7.5 million
Actual: $6 million
DECEMBER 2007
Goal: $15 million
Actual: $15 million
MARCH 2008
Goal: $28 million
Actual: $23 million
JUNE 16, 2008
Goal: $40.6 million
Current: $25 million