Host committee for Dem convention faces possible $15 million shortfall, cancels media event

"Party News"

06/14/2008

DENVER (AP) -- The host committee for the Democratic National Convention faces a possible shortfall of $15 million, complicating logistics for the August event and forcing it to abruptly postpone a media walkthrough of the site scheduled for next week.

The Democratic National Committee has asked the cash-strapped panel to raise $40.6 million by Monday to finance the event. Last month, the committee said it had just $25 million in cash, and it has failed to meet each of several fundraising deadlines since signing a contract with the DNC last year.

Host committee members consistently have refused public comment on their fundraising efforts. Committee spokesman Chris Lopez could not immediately be reached by telephone Friday.

Last week, Denver city auditor Dennis Gallagher sent a letter to Mayor John Hickenlooper saying taxpayers are concerned they may get stuck with the tab if Denver can't come up with another $15 million by Monday.

"I have people buttonholing me in coffee shops, corralling me along the 16th Street Mall, even stopping by my house asking how the city will be able to afford the convention if the fundraising efforts fall short," Gallagher wrote. "Specifically people are asking me if Denver will have to use tax dollars to back-load any financial shortfall or even if the city is planning to use bond money to subsidize any shortfall."

Hickenlooper, who has traveled across the country seeking funds for the convention, has said he is confident the host committee will raise enough money by Monday's deadline.

The Democratic National Convention Committee announced Friday that it had delayed a session for the news media next Thursday at the Pepsi Center, site of the Aug. 25-28 convention, and hoped to reschedule at a later date. "Postponing the event allows us to work through outstanding issues and ensure a successful event when media do arrive in Denver," said Theodore LeCompte, the DNCC's director of media logistics.