Short On Cash, Democrats Trim Convention

Long primary slows Denver fundraising; having nominee helps
By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff
Posted Jun 17, 2008 11:30 AM CDT
Short On Cash, Democrats Trim Convention
Linnette Garber, a Hillary Clinton delegate, left, talks with Barack Obama delegate Davida Hopings-Parham, after a meeting of the Democratic Party Convention delegates, May 18, 2008.    (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

Democrats are scaling back their national convention plans in the face of fundraising shortfalls, the AP reports. The Denver host committee has just $29 million of the $40.6 million it promised to deliver by yesterday. The committee says it’s confident it’ll get the money before the convention begins Aug. 25, but organizers are shaving $3 million off events and vendor obligations.

Many blame the protracted primary season, but there are other problems as well. “Denver is not a major corporate center,” said one strategist, who called the shortfall a major concern. “Many of the corporations who contributed to Boston just haven't seen advantages to coming here.” Still, says one Denver organizer, "The fact that we have a candidate now does help." (More Democratic National Convention stories.)

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