-
Apr 12, 2007 2:56 pm US/Mountain
-
Digg |
Facebook |
E-mail
|
Print
Dean Visits Denver To Rally Convention Supporters
by Terry Jessup
DENVER (CBS4/AP) ―
Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean visited Denver Thursday to promote the 2008 Democratic National Convention.
He told supporters at a rally at the Colorado Convention Center that holding the Democratic National Convention in Denver next year will show that the West has a road map for the party to win the White House. Dean said recent Democratic gains in the West show that voters want politicians to focus on collaboration and values.
"This is a big deal," Dean said. "My guess is for a sustained period of time, this is going to be the most attention focused on Denver."
The party has picked up legislative and congressional seats in the Rockies and the governors from Montana to New Mexico are all Democrats.
Dean was scheduled was scheduled to meet with AFL-CIO president John Sweeney later in the day. It was unclear if that meeting actually happened.
Labor leaders were upset that the convention will be held at a non-union venue, the Pepsi Center in downtown Denver. They're also angry that Gov. Bill Ritter vetoed a bill in February that would have made it easier to establish all-union workplaces.
The former presidential candidate shook a lot of hands, but refused to take any questions, leaving Denver City Councilwoman Elbra Wedgeworth to ponder the prospect of labor union pickets outside the Pepsi Center next August when the Democrats' national leaders arrive.
"I don't foresee that. I think that everything will be worked out," Wedgeworth said. "There's always been issues. In 2004, there was a threat of picketing in Boston, but nothing happened. But the Boston cops got a big raise. That's what they wanted, and that's what they got."
And just as the Boston cops did use the 2004 convention for leverage to get what they wanted, some are saying that's what the labor unions might try here next year.
Dean also told supporters he will probably be back in Denver sometime next month for more convention planning.
(© 2007 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)