Democrats Cancel Convention Kickoff at Speedway, Move It Downtown
- Posted on June 26, 2012 at 8:45am by
Jonathon M. Seidl
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RALEIGH, N.C. (The Blaze/AP) — Organizers of a celebration scheduled to kick off the Democratic National Convention are moving the Labor Day event from Charlotte Motor Speedway to the city’s downtown.
Charlotte host committee spokeswoman Suzi Emmerling said late Monday that as the date of the event drew closer, logistics became a challenge. Emmerling said moving the celebration to downtown Charlotte near the convention venue would make it more accessible and family friendly. The speedway is about 18 miles outside the city.
But according to Bloomberg News, moving the event away from the speedway may be a matter of money:
While the Democrats will receive a $50 million grant from the Department of Homeland Security to defray police costs for the Sept 4-6 convention, security for the Speedway festival may not be eligible because the event isn’t part of the official convention proceedings. With a party ban on direct contributions from corporations, the host committee has raised less than $10 million, well short of its $36.6 million goal, said one of the people. [*]
The convention has already been shortened from the traditional four days to three to have a day to “to make room for a day to organize and celebrate the Carolinas, Virginia and the South and kick off the convention at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Labor Day,” it was announced in January.
The convention is being held at Charlotte’s Time Warner Arena. President Barack Obama’s nomination acceptance speech on Sept. 6 is scheduled for Bank of America Stadium, home of the Carolina Panthers. Both arenas are in downtown Charlotte.
*Republicans will also receive $50 million to defray security costs for their convention.
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Comments (39)
H4dbmn
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 10:23amWhat!!! Can’t they recycle the Greek columns? Maybe paint them pink?
Report Post »barber2
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 10:19amMaybe because their OWS base is more centrally located ? Am sure the anti-capitalist / anarchy wing will all be dressed up as Tea Party people and break some bank/ store windows ! ( but, of course, no one will figure out that the Theater of the Absurd Players are really Far Lefties. Duh )
Report Post »barber2
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 10:14amSo Democrats are actually thinking about ” a matter of money?” So Democrats are being financially conservative ? Nah. Must be another reason….
Report Post »noczars
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 1:49pmThe reason is they spent all of our (taxpayer’s) money in Wisconsin. They have also lost a lot of their big $. Plus if you have seen some of Obama‘s speech’s the room is almost empty.
Report Post »GrayPanther
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 10:08amPerhaps the rented speedway would have too many empty seats. I sense the bloom is no longer on the “red” rose in the White House. It‘s showing in the desperation with BHO’s fund raising. I suspect the Obama reelection campaign will soon drop it’s corporate ban on funding the Democ-rats as well. Oh, well, who would trust this administration with anything.
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 10:08amThe Speedway would look too empty, so they changed it.
Report Post »JohnG in PC
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 10:03amIts harder to hide the growing number of empty seats at the speedway. Smaller venue means makes the smaller numbers less obvious.
Report Post »I support God's Israel!
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 10:11am“While the Democrats will receive a $50 million grant from the Department of Homeland Security to defray police costs for the Sept 4-6 convention,……”
WILL THE GOP CONVENTION GET THE SAME AMOUNT OF MONEY????????
Report Post »Cavallo
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 10:28amYes, they will.. but just think of that.. $100 million dollars just so the political parties can have,, a party.. bile rises in the back of my throat.
Report Post »jespasinthru
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 9:58amThat’s the least of their problems. Check this out:
Report Post »townhall.com/columnists/michellemalkin/2012/06/22/the_coming_dnc_disaster
Nothing like a good ol‘ gay sex scandal to liven things up at the Democrat’s convention. Break out the popcorn.
teddrunk
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 9:40amCar hating enviro-nuts starting their convention at a gas wasting NASCAR Speedway?
Report Post »Zipit
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 10:10amJust an attempt by the Dems Teddy to gain the favor of a great American sport, and a segment of our population that truly hates everything that they do, and stand for!!! Keep your filthy hands off my gas tank! LOSERS…..
Report Post »doomytram
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 9:36amMe President BaDisastrous Hussein Oblamer don’t got no extra stinking money for you Democrap Pukes! Me campaigning for me and me aint getting any money cept 3 dollar bills from these pukes.
Me need you pukes to donate to Me you pukes. Me want you pukes to give me all your wedding, funeral, birthday and savings money, you pukes.
The above is what Oblamer has going through his mind right now.
Report Post »perry1980
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 9:31amI hope they are ready for the Occupy Idi0ts just like in 1968
Report Post »Alvin691
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 9:30amSo I am helping to pay 50 million to the communists?
Report Post »sWampy
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 9:56amIt’s sickening, plus all the other billions in tax free donations. All political donations over $1 a year shouldn’t be tax deductible.
Report Post »T-2
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 9:25amI don‘t think it’s the money issue. It may be the attendance issue.
Report Post »Dde13
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 10:01amYep…. I bet attendance will be low….only the die hard socialst commies will come. 1/3 of them will be illegal or with their hand out looking for “Obama bucks”
Report Post »His voting base believe in “free money”
IndyGuy
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 9:24amTruth is Nascar fans said Get the hell outta here…Take yer Politics elsewhere…
Report Post »michael48
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 9:22amevidently hollo-wood is hollo….hm…what advice does the utopian crowd have for we peasants today…you’re not paying your fair share…he!!, you capitalist pigs are acually going to buy food?????
Report Post »autofixer
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 9:18amI am just glad they are moving it “uptown”. I have to drive by the speedway on my way to work and that would be a nightmare…and we all know it is “all about me.” I hope they keep on helping me out and moving things; maybe out of Charlotte.
Report Post »grandmaof5
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 9:26amThought maybe they didn‘t want to be associated with ’gun toting, red neck, Christians’. You know how that “speedway crowd” can be after Michelle and Biden‘s wife got boo’d at Daytona. They are smart enough to know B.S. before they step in it.
Report Post »lynnissmart
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 9:17amMe cares not where the pos goes…..as long as the pos goes away!!!!!! far away!
Report Post »GeorgieJo
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 9:12amHarvey Weinstein and Tom Hanks and Anna Weintour should all send sacks of cash.
Report Post »Sara Jessie Parker can auction some of her clothes. BelaPeelooski can sell some wine from her vineyard.
Democrats running out cash? Such hypocrites as they OVERSPEND our tax dollars.
OMG 2012
hpshooter
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 9:12amwhy is the DNC getting a grant to fund security? WTF?
Report Post »term limits for congress
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 9:11amSchedule the events at the downtown jail. Plenty of Democrats there and built-in security.
Report Post »bigbear_awake
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 9:33amdo it at GITMO
Report Post »Buttercup
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 9:09am“Charlotte’s Time Warner Arena”. “Bank of America Stadium,”
Aren’t those named after a big ole nasty corporation and a greedy bank? Will the OWS be there to protest?
Calling Steven Spielberg…calling Steven Spielberg! Your buddy needs some cash. Cough it up! You, too, Sarah Jessica Parker. Send George Clooney a memo, too.
Report Post »ricckky
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 9:05amAnother big lie—They can’t fill the seats at the speedway-He would look bad–liar, liar.liar, liar,liar,liar
Report Post »karenm
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 9:03amWhy can’t the Dems call up some wealthy Hollywood types to donate? Hope and change not working too well this time.
Report Post »kickagrandma
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 8:53amAnd how much money is the GOP receiving from the dohs?
And how much money is the TEA PARTY receiving from duhs> uh, dohs?????
Just askin’…..
MORNING, PATRIOTS. Time to rise and shine!!!
GOD BLESS YOU and GOD BLESS AND PROTECT AMERICA.
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 8:51amSo they are going broke? Okay in my book.
Report Post »lqtm
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 8:51amI am struggling to see why I should care…
Report Post »Steelheadisadouche
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 9:20amFind some strength to carry on. Your insight is so needed, really. Whether we hear you LOL from the basement or not. Use the force if you must.
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