By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
In an email to Alabama Democrats, the team from the Democratic National Committee (DNC) charged with picking the site for the 2016 convention is asking for Democrats in the State to email in their reasons why the DNC should have the 2016 Democratic National Convention in the City of Birmingham.
The email from DNC Chief Executive Officer Amey K Dacey read: “The 2016 Democratic National Convention will be here before you know it, and we’re starting to make some big decisions now so we can have a fantastic event. But we still need to make the most important decision of all: Which city is going to host the biggest gathering of Democrats we’re going to see for the rest of this decade?”
CEO Dacey continued, “This week, we’re checking out Birmingham, Alabama. And as part of this process, we want to hear from Alabamians like you — the people who know Birmingham best. Tell us why your community should help us nominate the 45th President of the United States.”
Dacey wrote: “My team and I are visiting Birmingham to meet with city officials and great local Democrats, and to get a feel for the city’s energy. But we’re counting on people like you to make sure we don’t miss out on any of the things that make Birmingham a great city. Let us know why you think Democrats should gather in Birmingham in 2016.” “I’m so excited to read what you have to say. It really will help us out a lot in making our final decision.”
If you want to provide reason why the Convention should come to Birmingham go here.
Birmingham is viewed as a long-shot to be awarded the convention. Most political observers doubt that the convention will be awarded to Birmingham since Alabama is solidly red and is highly unlikely to be in play in 2016. No Democratic Presidential Candidate has carried the State since 1976. Other concerns about Birmingham involve questions about whether the city can accommodate a convention that size. Birmingham officials have acknowledged inadequacies with the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center and have agreed to do a $100 million in improvements to the BJCC in time for the convention if it is awarded to the city. The amount of usable hotel space in Birmingham, will the I-22 (corridor X)/ I-65 junction and the replacement of the I-59/I-20 decking in the middle of Birmingham be accomplished in less than two years, and the lack of a “big city” transit system are other issues likely to be brought up by the other cities competing for the event.
Birmingham is reportedly competing with Columbus, OH; New York, NY; Philadelphia, PA; and Phoenix, AZ. New York is a Democratic Party stronghold; while Pennsylvania, Arizona, and Ohio are seen as key swing states.
The Republican convention is going to Cleveland, Ohio.
