A clandestine team of technical advisers is in town to kick the tires on St. Louis’ bid to host the 2012 Democratic National Convention.
But it’s an open secret to everyone — including those who will attend a downtown concert tonight hoping to gin up possible convention volunteers.
The not-so-veiled inspectors will be guided by political and business luminaries as they tour the venues, accommodations, “optics” (is it good on TV?), atmosphere, transportation and hospitality that made St. Louis one of four finalists for the DNC gathering.
The convention competition is playing out in the newspapers of the would-be host cities. The Star-Tribune editorial page in Minneapolis promoted its city’s cause with an air of Scandinavian-American modesty:
“We’re Minnesotans, after all. A wide grin and firm handshake are about as demonstrative of a hearty welcome as our innate reserve allows. Minnesotans aren’t boastful people — so visitors can safely take all the praise they heard the locals utter about the Twin Cities and double it for accuracy.”
The Charlotte, N.C., Observer’s commentary page, on the other hand, went the “non-partisan” route. Former North Carolina Gov. Jim Martin and Charlotte Mayor Richard Vinroot wrote that they’re “proud Republicans” but also “proud advocates of Charlotte and North Carolina” who “believe that bringing the 2012 Democratic National Convention to Charlotte represents an unprecedented economic development opportunity.”
At the Plain Dealer in Cleveland, meanwhile, a news blog took a pragmatic approach — agreeing that a Cleveland convention would be a “symbolic statement about the need to boost the economies of older manufacturing cities that are hard hit by the recession and foreclosures.”
St. Louis’ bid has become fodder for Politico, official Washington’s inside-the-beltway newspaper and website, which reported earlier this week that the St. Louis campaign is based on “a simple theory for how to win: nothing succeeds like an excess of enthusiasm.”
Indeed, St. Louis’ bid has solid backing from officials and leaders across the region, including St. Louis Cardinals President Bill DeWitt III, Urban League President James Buford, SEIU Vice President Nancy Cross, Monsanto CEO Hugh Grant, Washington University Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton and Post-Dispatch President and Publisher Kevin D. Mowbray.
Tonight, the phantom inspection team is expected at Kiener Plaza for a rally featuring homegrown rock legend Chuck Berry and a “mystery guest” as headliners.
Landing the national convention would provide a big stage on which to showcase the city’s striking revitalization, to say nothing of being a nice piece of business. Denver officials estimated a regional economic impact of $266 million from the 2008 Democratic convention.
In the end, national political considerations will determine the convention’s site — specifically, which battleground state represents the wisest investment of a convention buck. President Barack Obama is expected to make the call sometime after the mid-term elections.
What Politico might view as “excess of enthusiasm” actually embodies the city’s top qualification: St. Louis is a city of hope, a resilient community on the move even during a prolonged economic recession.
St. Louis also likes a good party and knows how to throw one.
No doubt Mr. Obama has heard this from Democratic Sens. Claire McCaskill of Missouri and Dick Durbin of Illinois, both members of the St. Louis host committee.
Mr. Obama may recall a Saturday in October 2008, when he stepped out in front of more than 80,000 people gathered to hear him speak at the Gateway Arch grounds. “What a spectacular sight,” he told the assembled. “All I can say is, ‘Wow.’”
“Wow” is pretty good start.
