Whoo-hoo!

The Post:

National Democrats announced today that they have picked Denver over New York for the 2008 Democratic National Convention.

I said: Whoo. Hoo.

Denver's selection brings the high-profile political gathering to the Pepsi Center in August 2008-- exactly 100 years after the city hosted its first and only national party convention. About 35,000 delegates and journalists are expected for what business leaders hope will mean a more than $160 million boon for the city . . . .

Let's see, we can park 20 cars in the back yard at $75 a car per day, plus ten pup tents for delegate accommodations at $400 a day . . .

We are gonna clean up.

"There is no question that the West is important to the future of the Democratic Party," Democratic National Committee chairman Howard Dean said in a release. "The recent Democratic gains in the West exemplify the principle that when we show up and ask for people's votes and talk about what we stand for, we can win in any part of the country. Additionally, we have a number of strong Democratic leaders in the West who will be a part of showcasing the vision of Democratic leadership for America as we introduce the next Democratic President in the Rocky Mountains."

The decision comes after problems with both the Denver and New York bids forced the Democratic National Committee to delay its choice for weeks.

Chairman Howard Dean had planned to pick a city before 2007. But just as an announcement was expected, Denver hit "a possible deal-breaker" when a local union refused to promise not to strike during the convention.

Locally, city officials are touting the victory as the Mile High City's next stair-step toward becoming a major U.S. city.

Oh, please.

Democrats had to weigh the city's maturity against its political potential in making the choice. In the months-long campaign for the convention, Denver was often a sentimental favorite, but the practicality of holding a large convention in a city of about 550,000 people created skepticism.

But now everything's hunky-dory. All the city has to do is raise $80 million to put the show on. The News quotes Mayor Hick:

"We’re going to have a hard time raising the money," he said. "We have to work harder."

To which the obvious answer is, Whaddaya mean "we," paleface?

Update: Both papers have lots of stories on the finagling for the convention. They also have slideshows: the Rocky's, photos of purty Colorado scenes; the Post's, photos from Denver's first Dem Convention in 1908.