Invesco acceptance speech "under consideration"

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When Marc Ambinder first noted today that the Obama campaign wants "to do something different on Thursday -- possibly at a different venue", we then reported exclusively that the idea of the Democratic nominee giving the acceptance speech at Invesco Field instead of at the Pepsi Center has been floating around Denver for over two years. It turns out it's under active consideration:

Barack Obama campaign officials did not deny reports today that his nomination speech might be given at Invesco Field instead of the Pepsi Center.

"No decisions have been made," Obama spokeswoman Shannon Gilson said.

A blog, demconwatchblog.com, had been reporting the final night of the Democratic National Convention would be staged at Invesco Field at Mile High instead of the Pepsi Center.

"Thursday in Denver will be a historic day," was the only elaboration Gilson would offer.

The Associated Press, citing two unnamed "people in a position to know details of the idea," said the plan is under consideration.

Mayor John Hickenlooper said he hadn't heard the rumor directly from the Obama campaign, but said it would be "amazing" if it happened. He also said it could be done, if needed.

"It would be difficult, but not impossible," Hickenlooper said. "You would have to adapt. You would have to make sure you got the right people in the right places — if it's something the Obama campaign want to do."- Rocky Mountain News

The Denver Post has more:

Barack Obama’s campaign is considering moving his nomination acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention from the Pepsi Center to Invesco Field at Mile High to allow tens of thousands to witness the historic moment, sources say.

The move would mark a major departure from tradition, but would be in keeping with the candidate’s desire to build a large grass-roots campaign focused on “change.”

Should the Illinois Senator give his speech — which occurs on the 45th anniversary of Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech — at Invesco, the move would leave behind the multi-million-dollar broadcast studios and high-tech podium and stage to be constructed at the Pepsi Center.

“No decision has been made in regards to this,” wrote Matthew Chandler, the Colorado press secretary for the Obama campaign in an e-mail. A spokesperson at Obama’s Chicago headquarters declined to elaborate and Denver’s convention host committee declined to comment.

The move, mentioned early Thursday on www.demconwatchblog.com, would not be unprecedented. In 1960, the Democratic National Convention was held at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena. But nominee John F. Kennedy delivered his acceptance speech next door at the Memorial Coliseum.

Invesco Field, home of the Denver Broncos, seats 76,125 and presumably several thousand more could fit on the field. The Pepsi Center holds less than 20,000 and is to be restricted to delegates, media, high-dollar donors and guests of the Democratic Party.

7News:

Natalie Wyeth of the DNC committee ... did not confirm nor deny a report that Barack Obama's acceptance speech for the Democratic nomination would take place at Invesco Field at Mile High.
...
Blogs are buzzing that Obama wants to do something out of ordinary on Thursday, and one scenario would be to open the last day of the convention to the public at Invesco Field, which seats more than 76,000 people. That's not including the thousands of seats that could be placed out on the field.The Pepsi Center accommodates less than 20,000 so seating is restricted to delegates, media people with credentials, and major players within the Democratic Party.The report originated on DemConWatch.

Also see the discussion at Daily Kos.