Hush, Hush & On the QT: Surprise! Hillary Wants DNC in NYC

    But Howard Dean says he doesn’t care.

    It’s beginning to look like a hot poker game between Denver and New York City for the prize of hosting the 2008 Democratic National Convention. New York Senator and possible presidential candidate, Hillary Clinton just upped the ante.Here are excerpts from today’s story in the NY Daily News:

    Sen. Hillary Clinton, the early front-runner for the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination, is pushing to have her party’s nominating convention held in New York City, the Daily News has learned….

    …Clinton’s aides stressed yesterday that the senator’s support for New York’s bid has nothing to do with widespread speculation she may run for President, but rather her role as one of New York’s top cheerleaders….

    …Stacie Paxton, a spokeswoman for the Democratic National Committee, said Dean has not consulted with any of the potential ’08 presidential contenders about the location of the convention. And he has no plans to do so, she said.

    Meanwhile at the Denver table, Democratic National Committee chairman, Howard Dean must have dealt the Denver Host Committee members the final hand at the recent Jackson Hole Democratic meeting last weekend. It was time to show him the money–$80-plus million by the end of the month.

    By Monday, Ta-Da! There were media news stories that the Host Committee had a few aces up their sleeve. From the Rocky Mountain News:

    “We’re closing in on the necessary funds to bring the convention to Denver,” said Steve Farber, an influential Denver attorney and co-chair of the 2008 Denver Host Committee, on Monday. “We’re raising the necessary commitments from Colorado businesses, if the convention should commit to Denver. I’m very confident – without being overconfident.”

    Ah, we don’t think Dean will take that to the bank, yet. (And we wonder if the Host Committee has invited a few oil and gas companies out here on the Western Slope to play at the table….)

    Last month, it was reported that NYC Mayor Bloomberg was concerned about the efforts to raise $80+ million to host the DNC convention. But, no word since. Perhaps NYC is holding its cards until Denver shows its hand.