Statement From DNC Chairman Dean And Convention CEO Daughtry On New York Times Sunday Story
We are proud to stand at the helm of the finest Convention team
we’ve known. As the arm of the national Party tasked with planning and
organizing the Democratic National Convention in Denver, the Democratic
National Convention Committee has been at this for more than a year.
And we take great pride in our work. That's why we were astonished to
read in Sunday’s New York Times such a gross misrepresentation of the
groundwork that has been laid to date.
The New York Times asserts that this is a Democratic convention
effort “marred by costly setbacks.” That is false. In fact we are ahead
of the game. Anyone who has ever worked on a national political
Convention would tell you as much. This is a well managed Convention.
The New York Times states that the Convention is facing
“upwardly spiraling costs on key contracts still being negotiated.”
That is false. All major contracts have been executed and we are on
track to move in to the Pepsi Center to begin build out on Monday as
planned.
The New York Times implies that the Convention has imposed
eating restrictions on delegates to the Convention. That is false.
Democrats at the Pepsi Center and other official Convention venues can
have all the fried goodies they can stomach. Talk of anything to the
contrary is just plain silly.
The New York Times reports that Democrats are $6 million over
budget in Convention planning and have failed to estimate costs
properly. That is false. From day one, prudent budgeting and financial
management have been an important part of our Convention planning –
across the board.
The New York Times states that “overly ambitious environmental
goals” from Convention organizers have backfired, citing a lack of
interest from delegates in the effort. That is false. In fact, hundreds
of delegates have already signed on to the “Green Delegate Challenge,”
and we anticipate recently selected delegates to join in the weeks
ahead.
Despite uninformed criticism in the New York Times and the
city’s worries about the color and fried nature of food among other
things, our focus remains on putting on an historic event that helps
keep Senator Barack Obama on a path to victory in November. When August
comes, the eyes of the world will be watching. And we’ll be ready.
Governor Howard Dean, Chairman, Democratic National Committee
Leah D. Daughtry, CEO, Democratic National Convention Committee