It's Down to Three Cities for the DNC Convention

[progressoid]

Democrats will converge on one of three northern cities to nominate their candidate to replace President Obama in 2016: New York, Philadelphia, or Columbus.

In an announcement on Monday, the Democratic National Committee said it had narrowed its list of finalists and eliminated the summer cauldron of Phoenix and a long-shot bid from Birmingham, Alabama. The DNC is taking much longer than its GOP counterpart to decide, as the Republican National Committee declared in July than its 2016 nominating convention would be in Cleveland.

A convention in New York would be held for the first time in Brooklyn, while a Democratic pick of Columbus would mean both parties would be descending on the crucial swing state of Ohio. Philadelphia is an old standby for nominating conventions, having hosted them seven times in the last century-and-a-half.

Both conventions are likely to occur earlier than in the recent past. Republicans are choosing between late June and mid-July for their confab, while the DNC said Monday it was choosing among the weeks of July 18, July 25, and August 22 for its convention. The parties have met to crown their candidates during the two weeks around Labor Day during the last few presidential campaigns, but officials have complained that the late dates condense the general election too much because of restriction on campaign spending.

Here's a closer look at the finalists:

http://m.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2014/11/its-down-to-three-for-the-dnc/383129/

[hlthe2b]

1. Ohio? I don't think so....

[yeoman6987]

2. Interesting

I thought Ohio would be the perfect choice. Pennsyvania and New York are pretty much going DNC, but Ohio can be fickle.

[hlthe2b]

4. Not that Ohio should not be fought for, but I think the convention has better media coverage

when conducted on friendly turf. Otherwise they focus on the opposition.

[yeoman6987]

6. Good point! Thanks!

[merrily]

3. Birmingham made a bid for the DNC? Interesting.

[Kalidurga]

5. I think Philidelphia

right now we need that symbol of brotherly love and liberty.

[silvershadow]

7. Only if we can win from there. I would hate to tarnish the city with a losing strategy. nt

[pstokely]

8. How was Birmingham even in the running?

a solid Red state?

[CTyankee]

9. All great. But I think either Philly ( I love that city) or Columbus (for political consideration)

NYC is great but it hardly needs this.

[craigmatic]

10. Ohio is probably the best choice.

[TeamPooka]

11. Columbus is the smart choice so hello NYC. nt

[PAProgressive28]

12. Come on Philly!

Would love to be there in person to support Bernie or Warren

[Derek V]

13. GOP should of chosen Phoenix

They could've denounced the "hoax" of global warming as they melted.