The Center for Public Integrity : DNC Demands Boost Cost of Convention, Paid for By Special Interests

The Center for Public Integrity: "WASHINGTON, July 12, 2004 - On the way to running up an estimated $95 million tab for its 2004 presidential nominating convention in Boston, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) requested hundreds of computers, phones and cell phones, dozens of cars, thousands of parking spaces, and at least $2 million worth of parties for their state and territorial delegations, according to documents reviewed by the Center for Public Integrity.

Some of the tab for this year's Democratic convention will be picked up by special interests with business before the federal government. Boston 2004, the private host committee designated to raise funds and organize welcoming events for the convention, is contractually on the hook for $39.5 million, to be funded by private contributions. The city itself pledged $10 million for security costs, but if Boston 2004 doesn't raise all $39.5 million, those city officials' signatures that were put on the official convention contract will obligate taxpayers to make up the difference. The rest of the money - mostly outlays for increased security costs - will be charged to local, state and federal taxpayers, with the latter group providing the lion's share of the proceeds.

The full cost of the entire Democratic convention process—from the creation of bid documents by prospective host cities and civic organizations, the costs of the numerous receptions and gifts given to Democrats, to the costs of hosting a lavish site selection tour and paying the travel expenses for a group of up to 60 members of the site selection committee—remains elusive. But one thing is certain, in the post-9/11 world, hosting a national presidential nominating convention will be costly to any host city."


By Meredith O'Brien
The Center for Public Integrity