Orlando accepts invite to bid for the convention

WE'VE MOVED! Democratic Convention Watch is now at http://www.DemocraticConventionWatch.com

Orlando has accepted the invitation to bid for the 2008 Democratic National Convention. From the Orlando Sentinel:

Late Thursday, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, a Democrat, sent a letter to his party's chairman confirming the City Beautiful's interest in hosting the 2008 Democratic National Convention. By Friday morning, Orange County Mayor Rich Crotty, a Republican, was announcing his own hope of bringing a convention here -- the Republican National Convention.

"Florida has been on the national stage in presidential politics," Dyer said. "It's only natural that both parties would want to hold conventions in this state."
...
The Democratic National Committee sent letters to about 30 cities in November inviting them to request a bid packet, and Friday was the deadline to make that request. Party officials would not say how many other cities expressed interest in the convention scheduled for the last week in August 2008. Denver's mayor also responded Thursday, and New York is thought to be among the favorites.

Dyer said he asked DNC Chairman and former presidential candidate Howard Dean whether Orlando should bother applying when the two attended the party's state convention here last month. The response was enthusiastic, Dyer said.

Politcally, Orlando would seem like a good choice, given Florida's battleground status. But can we stand all the "Mickey Mouse candidate" references?

And I'm curious as to who believes that "New York is thought to be among the favorites"?