UPI/Bill Greenblatt
ST. LOUIS (KMOX) – A Washington political reporter doesn’t put much cred into a survey, which purportedly dashes St. Louis’ Democratic National Convention hopes.
“It’s going to be David Axelrod and the campaign team around President Obama that really decides what is the smartest place to hold this convention as they go into their reelection,” Dave Cantanese said.
He points out that the CNN poll questioned rank-and-file Democratic voters, not even DNC delegates. Regardless, St. Louis ranked last.
Minneapolis he considers definitely out of the running for a variety of reasons, including a recent roof collapse at the Metrodome and the Republicans’ meeting there in 2008.
Helping Cleveland, Cantanese said, is Ohio’s status as a battleground state. Democratic gains in North Carolina play a similar role.
Recent signs of Missouri trending red could help or hurt, in terms of convention-landing politics. Democrats could either give up or refuse to cede the state.
And Cantanese emphasizes the clout held by Senator Claire McCaskill.
“She’s friends with the President. I think she’s got his cell phone number,” he said. “She will have some clout in that process, as St. Louis and Missouri makes its case.”
Follow KMOX reporter Michael Calhoun on Twitter: @michaelcalhoun.
Our previous story, by Kelly Hatmaker:
St. Louis scores dead last among rank-and-file Democrats asked to pick which city should host their 2012 national convention.
The new CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll out today puts Cleveland on top with 29-percent support, followed by Charlotte with 22-percent and Minneapolis with 21-percent. Only 17-percent of those surveyed said the Democratic National Committee should bring the convention to St. Louis.
Being picked to host the convention would mean millions of dollars for the local economy and hours of national exposure. Previously, it had been reported that St. Louis and Charlotte were the favorites for the 2012 convention. St. Louis party officials have been lobbying for months to bring the convention here, even enlisting the aid of rocker Chuck Berry to showcase the city.
Local convention boosters, including Missouri Senator Claire McCaskill, had hoped for a decision by the end of this month. But now, sources say White House and party officials are expected to pick the host city sometime in January. During the last selection process, DNC officials waited until January 2007 to make their announcement that Denver would host the 2008 national convention.
Link: CNN Political Ticker
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