DNCC CEO Daughtry answers on-line questions

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Democratic National Convention CEO Leah D. Daughtry held an online discussion at Washintonpost.com. Here are some highlights:

Franconia, Va.: Is the convention later this year than in years past? Does it always come after the Summer Olympics, or is it usually before them?

Another question about timing -- were the dates chosen to coincide with the I Have a Dream speech anniversary, or was that simply a bonus once the time was picked?

Leah D. Daughtry: There is no rule to the scheduling of the Conventions -- other than an informal understanding that the Party that holds the White House holds its Convention last.

We actually chose our dates back in 2005 when we were preparing to solicit bids from cities to host the convention. And the fact that they align with Dr. King's historic speech is just a happy coincidence.

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New Orleans, La.: Do you and your RNC convention counterpart Maria Cino ever meet and compare notes, and possibly discuss particular issues, or do the two of you keep totally apart?

Leah D. Daughtry: I have had the wonderful opportunity to meet Maria Cino, the CEO of the Republican Convention. And we've actually kept in touch fairly regularly over this last year. She is a wonderful woman and a consummate professional.

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Dunn Loring, Va.: Has the Obama campaign begun coordinating with the DNC committee yet, after not informing it of his plans to accept the nomination at the stadium?

Leah D. Daughtry: We work in close coordination with the Obama team, and have ever since the Senator became the presumptive nominee.

Regarding our decision to move to Invesco on Thursday night, this was a decision that the DNCC and the Obama campaign made jointly after many, many meetings and discussions. We were only able to even suggest and consider such a move because of the wonderful headstart and ongoing progress we'd made in our planning. Without that, such a move wouldn't have been possible.

NY Times profiles Convention CEO Leah Daughtry

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The NY Times magazine has a long profile of 2008 Democratic National Convention CEO Leah Daughtry. Daughtry is a part-time Pentecostal preacher, and is key in the efforts of the Democratic party to increase its appeal to people of faith:

Daughtry is a part-time preacher and full-time political operative. She serves as chief of staff to Howard Dean, the chairman of the Democratic National Committee. In the spring of last year, Dean appointed her chief executive of the party’s convention; though she will now be collaborating with Barack Obama’s team, she is in charge of orchestrating the event next month in Denver — of making sure that everything runs right, that buses have enough slots to park in, that people have enough hotel rooms to sleep in and that the millions watching the convention on TV are captivated and inspired by the four-day-long show. She is a mostly self-effacing manager on an immense scale.

But on many Sundays she is a Pentecostal preacher with her toes naked on the floor and her voice filled with a power that she says is not her own. Straight from the start of her sermon on a Sunday afternoon in June, she looked nearly helpless, beyond self-management, truly overcome by a force coursing through her; she wiped tears from her eyes with a small square of white cloth.

In her positions as Dean’s top aid and the convention’s top official, Daughtry, who is 44 years old, is leading the Democratic Party’s new mission to make religious believers — particularly ardent Christian believers — view the party and its candidates as receptive to, and often impelled by, the dictates of faith.

Avs Win Series... Daughtry Wins Walleye

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On Saturday night the Colorado Avalanche defeated the Minnesota Wild 3-2. With their win the Avs move on to the next round of the playoffs against either the Stars or the Red Wings. And Leah Daughtry wins the Friendly Wager with the Republican National Convention CEO Maria Ceno.

In what could only be interpreted as foreshadowing of things to come, the Colorado Avalanche triumphed over the Minnesota Wild at the Pepsi Center Saturday night to win the Western Conference Quarter-Finals. Before the series began, we made a friendly wager with our counterparts at the Republican National Convention Committee in Minneapolis-St. Paul on the outcome of the series, offering up Colorado steak to their Minnesota walleye.

A bet is a bet, and we’ll be eagerly checking our mailroom in anticipation of the arrival of that walleye.

And while we’ve enjoyed the friendly competition with Wild fans over the last couple of weeks, we certainly hope to find them on our team when the spotlight returns to the Pepsi Center in August. We welcome Avs fans and Wild fans – and many others – to stand together as we put our Democratic nominee on the road to the White House in November. - DNCC Blog

(picture courtesy of the DNCC)

DNC and RNC Heads Place Bet on NHL Playoffs

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Funny how things work out. Tonight the Colorado Avalanche will meet the Minnesota Wild in the first round of the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Avs play in the Pepsi Center... home of the 2008 Democratic National Convention. The Wild play in the Xcel Energy Center... home of the 2008 Republican National Convention.

vs.

The National Hockey League's Stanley Cup Playoffs commence this week, and the cities hosting the 2008 Democratic and Republican National Conventions will be at the center of the action when the Colorado Avalanche and Minnesota Wild face off. Today, the two leaders planning the political conventions agreed to a friendly wager on the series.

Democratic National Convention Committee (DNCC) CEO Leah D. Daughtry and Republican National Convention President and CEO Maria Cino agreed to the stakes in a phone call earlier today. The losing city's Convention team will send a "taste" of that city's local delicacy for the winning city's Convention staff to enjoy. If the Avalanche win, the Republican team will send the DNCC staff an assortment of walleye fish from the lakes of Minnesota. If the Wild win, the DNCC will send the Republican Convention staff a selection of delectable Colorado-raised beef steaks.

"To my friend Maria and her fine team in Minnesota: get ready to be buried by our Avalanche," said Daughtry. "Denver has welcomed us with open arms, and I'm now proud to ante up on behalf of the hometown team. Fortunately for me, the Avs know what it takes to win a championship. Soon enough, the Pepsi Center will be home to the Stanley Cup once again. And just five months from now, it'll play host to another winner - our nominee for President of the United States."

"Minnesota is the 'State of Hockey,' and I am proud that we have become part of the 'Team of 18,000," Cino said, using the term the Wild coined to describe its consistent sellout crowds. "It is only fitting that we stand with our new community in Minneapolis-Saint Paul and enter into this friendly wager with my friend in Denver, where she and her staff are working equally as hard.

"As I kidded with Leah earlier, our staff in Minneapolis-Saint Paul is pretty excited that the roads to the White House and the Stanley Cup Championship will both lead through the Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul," Cino added.

The Avalanche makes its home at the Pepsi Center in Denver - site of the 2008 Democratic National Convention, to be held August 25-28. The Northwest Division Champion Wild play at the Xcel Energy Center, which is also home of the 2008 Republican National Convention. - DNCC Press Release

Bloggers to be seated with their delegations

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As we get closer to the convention we're starting to get more and more evidence that the DNCC really does plan on including bloggers. We've reported on state blogger credentials before and if you applied for credentials you'll be happy to know you that won't be in the nosebleed seats.

Demonstrating a commitment to unprecedented access for bloggers at the 2008 Democratic National Convention, the Democratic National Convention Committee (DNCC) today announced that bloggers credentialed as part of the DemConvention State Blogger Corps will be seated with their respective delegations in the Pepsi Center during the historic four-day event. The move guarantees bloggers with a focus on state politics a unique vantage point to provide localized coverage of the Convention, to be held from August 25-28 in Denver.

"The Internet is the most significant tool for building democracy since the invention of the printing press," said Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chairman Howard Dean. "New local, national and global communities are being formed which demand two-way communication between people and their leaders and the DemConvention State Blogger Corps will be on the frontlines at the 2008 convention to help facilitate this critical dialogue."

In November, the DNCC announced its blogger credentialing process for 2008, including an expansion of the credentialed blogger pool from prior cycles and the addition of a state blogger credentialing program. Under the DemConvention State Blogger Corps, which is designed for those covering state and local politics, the DNCC is offering the opportunity for one blogger to be credentialed from each of the states and territories. The program, recognizing the growth of more localized blogs and in line with Governor Dean's 50-state strategy, has been open for applications since December.

"Time and again, we talk about our commitment to bring down the walls of the Pepsi Center and engage more people in the Convention experience using new technology and other creative means," said Leah D. Daughtry, CEO of the DNCC. "Granting unprecedented access to our state bloggers shows we are serious about making this an inclusive, accessible event. When our nominee for President of the United States takes the stage, members of the DemConvention State Blogger Corps will witness this historic moment from the best seats in the house - and in turn, be able to offer their dedicated readers back home a first-hand account from the center of that state's action."

To qualify as a state blogger, the applicant's blog must have been in existence six months prior to requesting credentials and have at least 120 politically related blog posts. Bloggers must submit their daily audience and list their authority based on Technorati statistics. Bloggers may also provide examples of posts that make their blog stand out as an effective online organizing tool and/or agent of change.

In addition to the DemConvention State Blogger Corps, the DNCC will also credential a general blogger pool, to include local, state and national political bloggers, as well as niche and video bloggers from across the country.

Applications for blogger credentials will be accepted until April 15, 2008. Individuals selected for either the DemConvention State Blogger Corps or the general blogger pool will be notified in May.

Bloggers interested in applying can find additional information at http://www.demconvention.com/blogger-credentialing-process/ . - DNCC Press Release

Convention preparations: On track, but fundraising lags

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Two different takes on the preparations for the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver. First, from the Roll Call, via the DNCC:

"'The nuts and bolts, the logistics of the convention are the logistics, regardless of the nominee,' said Leah Daughtry, chief executive officer for the Democratic National Convention. 'On Aug. 25, we have to be ready. We don't get another day. We're planning to be ready in that hall when that gavel drops.'

"Daughtry said organizers got off to 'an early start' with the selection of the convention dates and location. Also, she said party officials continue to be 'on pace or ahead of pace in terms of planning and logistics.'

"Much of the preparation has been under way for months, with national Democrats working to make available lodging, transportation and convention space for the thousands of visitors to Denver. Most of that work can be done without the presidential nominee in place, but the candidate typically teams with national party players well in advance to put his or her stamp on the overall message, framework and program for the four-day event.

But raising money is proving to be difficult:

The long and winding fight for the Democratic presidential nomination is giving a fundraising migraine to the Mile High City.

As the host city, Denver must raise $40.6 million by June 16 for the party's Aug. 25-28 convention. This week, the host committee missed its second fundraising deadline, and Mayor John W. Hickenlooper said he believed the drawn-out battle between Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York and Barack Obama of Illinois had distracted potential donors.

"I think there's still so much focus around who the candidate will be that it is hard for people" to focus on the convention, he said.
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Denver's host committee fell $5 million short of its goal to raise $28 million by March 17.

Conventions always have problems raising money, and the tight nomination race is going to continue to draw money away from the convention. We'll keep an eye on this.

Hyatt Regency named as official headquarters hotel for the 2008 Demcoratic Naitonal Convention

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This just in from the DNCC:

The Democratic National Convention Committee (DNCC) today announced its selection of the Hyatt Regency Denver at Colorado Convention Center as the official headquarters hotel for the 2008 Democratic National Convention, to be held August 25-28, 2008. In that capacity, the Hyatt Regency Denver will serve as the base of operations for the DNCC, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) and the presidential campaign.

"Outside the Pepsi Center, the Hyatt Regency Denver will serve as the primary nerve center for our Convention operations - our home away from home during an incredibly important week," said Leah D. Daughtry, CEO of the DNCC. "Since our team's arrival in Denver, the Hyatt Regency team has been nothing but warm and welcoming, and I know they'll offer this same level of service, professionalism and hospitality to our Convention team in August. This hotel is well-known for forging strong relationships with the Denver community, and we're proud to now call them our partner too."

The hotel will be used to conduct official business and as a meeting place for Convention organizers. Its central location makes it an ideal home base, given its proximity to the Colorado Convention Center and the Pepsi Center.

"Hyatt is honored to be chosen as the headquarters hotel for the Democratic National Convention. We are excited to have the Democrats back in Denver, Colorado for the first time since 1908 and will make sure all of our guests experience the warm Rocky Mountain hospitality that our city is known for," said John Schafer, General Manager of the Hyatt Regency Denver.

Today's announcement marks the latest in a series of DNCC housing assignments allocating the 17,000 rooms in some 100 hotels reserved for delegates, alternates, media and members of the Democratic family. In November, the DNCC announced the list of area hotels selected to house some 5,000 delegates during Convention week. State delegations were assigned to 27 hotels in one of three clusters - Downtown, Stapleton and the Denver Tech Center - all within 20 minutes of the Pepsi Center.

DNCC to hold community forum in Lakewood on March 3rd

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DNCC TAKES 'CONVENTION CONVERSATIONS' SERIES TO LAKEWOOD, AS EXCITEMENT AND INTEREST IN CONVENTION CONTINUE TO GROW

Superdelegate Rep. Perlmutter to Join DNCC CEO Leah Daughtry to Answer Questions, Offer Information on Convention for Lakewood Residents, Business Community

DENVER - The Democratic National Convention Committee (DNCC) will host the fifth in a series of community forums at 11:30 a.m. on MONDAY, March 3, 2008, at the Belmar Center in Lakewood, Colo. DNCC CEO Leah D. Daughtry will be joined by U.S. Representative Ed Perlmutter for the event.

The series - "Convention Conversations: A Traveling Forum Sponsored by the DNCC" - launched in Denver in September and has since traveled to Pueblo, Boulder and Las Vegas. The community forums are designed to provide residents throughout the Rocky Mountain West with opportunities for direct communication with top Convention organizers and a venue to ask questions, share ideas and find out how they can get involved in the 2008 Democratic National Convention.

WHAT:
As excitement and interest in the 2008 Democratic National Convention continue to grow, DNCC CEO Leah D. Daughtry will be joined by U.S. Representative Ed Perlmutter for a "Convention Conversations" forum to answer questions and offer information about the Convention to Lakewood residents and members of the business community.

WHO:
DNCC CEO Leah Daughtry
U.S. Representative Ed Perlmutter - Superdelegate

WHEN:
11:30 a.m., Monday, March 3, 2008

WHERE:
Belmar Center
405 South Teller Street
Lakewood, Colo.

NOTE: Members of the public interested in attending the forum are encouraged to RSVP to rsvp@demconvention.com or (720) DNC-2008, as space is limited. Members of the media do not need to RSVP.

DNCC introduces new look for its website

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The DNCC has rolled out it's website's new look today. You can see it at www.demconvention.com

Furthering its commitment to engage a broad spectrum of communities in new and creative ways, the Democratic National Convention Committee (DNCC) today unveiled its new website at www.DemConvention.com featuring a dynamic new look and including extensive Spanish language content. The website will be the cornerstone of the 2008 Democratic National Convention's online communications efforts, combining technology from a variety of platforms to engage constituencies in Denver and across the country in meaningful and innovative ways in the lead up to and during Convention week - August 25-28, 2008.

"To truly make DemConvention.com a go-to resource and an all-access pass to our event, we needed maximum flexibility and a platform on which to build the cutting-edge functionality that will help our Convention leave its mark," said Leah D. Daughtry, CEO of the DNCC. "Offering extensive Spanish language content is just one of the many ways by which this site will bring more people into the Convention experience than ever before. From video, audio and photos to contact tools and our blog, DemConvention.com will use a variety of methods to engage new communities, generate interest and fuel enthusiasm around this Convention - for those in Denver and beyond."

In the coming months, the DNCC will work continuously to expand the site by innovating in creative, meaningful ways. During Convention week, the DNCC will position DemConvention.com as a resource for delegates, media and other Convention attendees as well as a means for Democrats and netroots activists all across the country to participate in the Denver experience. Starting today, visitors to the site can sign up to receive regular updates on Convention news, events and other developments. Press releases and other relevant materials for members of the media are also available. - DNCC Press Release

Level 3 named Official Live Video and Content Delivery Service Provider for the convention

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Looks like the entire convention will be streamed live at www.demconvention.com

The Democratic National Convention Committee (DNCC) and Colorado-based Level 3 Communications (NASDAQ: LVLT) announced today that Level 3 has been named as the Official Live Video and Content Delivery Services Provider for the 2008 Democratic National Convention, to be held Aug. 25-28, in Denver. In that role, Level 3 will provide video broadcast services, as well as online video downloading and live streaming of the four-day event, including speeches and other Convention content, via the Internet at www.DemConvention.com.

"We often talk about our commitment to bringing down the walls of the Pepsi Center by using technology and other tools to bring more people in to our Convention experience than ever before," said Leah D. Daughtry, CEO of the DNCC. "Level 3 moves us one giant step closer to that goal. Their video broadcast and live streaming capabilities will provide millions of people around the world with an all-access pass to this historic event next August."

As the Official Live Video and Content Delivery Services Provider, Level 3 will deliver live analog and High-Definition (HD) video broadcast services from the Pepsi Center, site of the 2008 Democratic National Convention. In addition, the DNCC will use Level 3's Content Delivery Network (CDN) to provide online video downloading and live streaming of the Convention. Level 3's CDN will also cache the Convention's web site on servers across its network to deliver a high-quality, online viewing experience. Together, these services will enable a global audience to access and view Convention content as best suits their needs, using the Internet-enabled device of their choice. DNCC Press Release

Colorado students: Write to get into the convention

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Nice idea:

Colorado students have a chance to write their way into the 2008 Democratic National Convention, as part of a "Write to Lead" essay contest announced today at Denver's East High School. One middle school student and one high school student will be selected. They'll win at least one night's entry to the convention.

Leah Daughtry, the chief executive for the Democratic National Convention Committee, which is co-sponsoring the contest, said of the students: "They'll get the VIP treatment." They also get a laptop computer.
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To win, students must write about leadership. Entries will be collected through April 18. Details are available at demconvention.com.

Hopefully, they'll get in Thursday night. It is just amazing be in a convention hall for a Presidential acceptance speech.

Convention planning on track

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With all of the primary craziness going on we'd like to take a moment to talk about the main reason for this site... the Democratic National Convention.

As Denver marks the one-year anniversary since the city was selected to host the 2008 Democratic National Convention, the Democratic National Convention Committee (DNCC) announced that planning for the four-day event is on pace or ahead of schedule across the board.
"It's remarkable how time flies," said Leah D. Daughtry, CEO of the DNCC. "And with just eight months to go, we have not a moment to waste. But we have certainly made the most of every hour of every day during this last year. From assigning hotel rooms to mapping our transportation system to engaging the community in our planning, our team has worked tirelessly to ensure we are on pace or even ahead of schedule on all fronts. All of this progress would not have been possible without the steadfast support from our partners here in Colorado - in particular, Governor Ritter, Senator Salazar, Representative DeGette and Mayor Hickenlooper, the Mile High City's best ambassadors." - Press Release