Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean hasn’t been in Colorado on political business since Denver was officially in the running for the Democratic National Convention site. Starting this Thursday, chances are that Colorado–and labor organizers–will see a lot of the governor leading up to the convention Aug. 25-28, 2008. There will be a free public “convention celebration” with Gov. Dean at 11 a.m. Thursday at the Colorado Convention Center, but that’s not all on his schedule. Reportedly, Dean is also meeting with labor leaders.
From TheHill.com:
Howard Dean is expected to meet with organized-labor officials and members of the Denver host committee, which includes Sen. Ken Salazar (D-Colo.) and local and state political leaders. The committee also includes (Gov. Bill ) Ritter, but committee leader Elba Wedgworth said he is not expected to be in Denver that day due to a scheduling conflict.
Dean will meet with AFL-CIO President John Sweeney, according to AFL-CIO Political Director Karen Ackerman. She said the Ritter veto (of a labor bill earlier this year) had complicated relationships labor had in Denver, but described Dean as “very helpful and eager to resolve any and all” of the labor issues that have arisen in the state.
Despite labor misgivings, Dean said he chose Denver as the convention location because he felt “the road to the White House was through the West.” In an interview with CBS4 Denver Dean admitted he was taking a chance with Denver “but we have to have some risk to realize opportunity…we can’t expand territory without trying new things.”
On Tuesday, the Democratic National Convention Committee kicked off their official convention Web site. Dean promised that the convention in Denver will feature “cutting-edge technology to engage and involve Democrats across the country.”
Dean continued:
The convention will showcase the Democratic Party’s vision for America, along with the values the party shares with all Americans, and put our presidential nominee on the path to victory for the 2008 election.
Tickets for Thursday’s free convention celebration are available at (303) 534-6202 or (303) 534-6202.
