Democrats choose Denver for 2008 convention

WASHINGTON - The 2008 Democratic presidential convention will be held in Denver, the Democratic National Committee announced Thursday.

Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean chose Denver to host the convention despite several logistical and labor concerns.

"There is no question that the West is important to the future of the Democratic Party. The recent Democratic gains in the West exemplify the principle that when we show up and ask for people's votes and talk about what we stand for, we can win in any part of the country," Dean said in a statement.

Dean's only other choice, New York, had eagerly sought the convention for months, but its mayor, Michael Bloomberg, said in recent weeks he would not commit the city to underwrite the convention's costs.

The convention - which is expected to attract 35,000, including 4,950 delegates and alternates - will be held from Aug. 25-28 after the Summer Olympics in Beijing.

The Republican National Convention will start just 4 days later, on Sept. 1 in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn.

In November 2005, the Democratic National Committee invited 35 cities to apply to host the convention. Eleven cities eventually submitted applications, but only three were selected as finalists - Denver, New York and Minneapolis-St. Paul, which withdrew its bid this fall after it was selected to host the GOP convention.

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