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Democrats Can't Find Cash for Convention

$15M short, Denver fundraisers hawking political access

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted May 28, 2008 10:41 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Democrats aren’t just wringing their hands over who they’ll nominate at their national convention—they’re also wondering who's going to pick up the tab. The Denver host committee has raised just $25 million of the $40.6 million it needs by June 16, the New York Times reports, which has Dems scrambling to find donors—or scale back plans.

“We will raise the money,” vowed a host committee spokesman. “We can’t make any excuses.” But excuses abound—most notably that the long primary race is sapping donations. The Republicans, by contrast, have already raised 80% of their $39 million goal. To make up the ground, the host committee is aggressively courting corporate sponsorships, offering access to key politicians in return.

Democratic Party Chairman Howard Dean talks about next years Democratic convention, accompanied by Leah Daughtry, convention chairman, during a walk-through of Denver's Pepsi Center, Nov. 13, 2007.
Democratic Party Chairman Howard Dean talks about next years Democratic convention, accompanied by Leah Daughtry, convention chairman, during a walk-through of Denver's Pepsi Center, Nov. 13, 2007.   (AP Photo/Ed Andrieski)
Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean, addresses the National Jewish Democratic Council conference Tuesday, April 24, 2007, in Washington.
Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean, addresses the National Jewish Democratic Council conference Tuesday, April 24, 2007, in Washington.   (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
Linnette Garber, a Hillary Clinton delegate, left, talks with Barack Obama delegate Davida Hopings-Parham after a meeting of the Democratic Party Convention delegates held in Sacramento, May 18, 2008.
Linnette Garber, a Hillary Clinton delegate, left, talks with Barack Obama delegate Davida Hopings-Parham after a meeting of the Democratic Party Convention delegates held in Sacramento, May 18, 2008.   (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)
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