DNC Convention 2012: Charlotte Announced As Host City

WASHINGTON — (AP) A Democratic official says the party will hold its 2012 presidential convention in Charlotte, N .C.

The official spoke on the condition of anonymity because the announcement was not intended to be made public until later Tuesday.

The North Carolina city beat out three others; St. Louis, Minneapolis-St. Paul, and Cleveland.

Comments

[douglasFirCountry]

12:32 AM on 02/27/2011

With all of the economic suffering in Michigan, wouldn't it be best to hold the convention in Detroit and bring some revenue into that state?

[media4me]

09:54 AM on 02/03/2011

Charlotte is NASCAR country.
According to FLOTUS, one of it's virtues is....wait a minute...."great barbeque". The locals went "Huh?"
I'm sure she'll be chomping on one of those "healthy" 2500 calorie bbq plate.
News alert FLOTUS. You have to drive north to Lexington to get great bbq according to the local paper.

[Ma Lucille]

07:12 AM on 02/02/2011

http://www.visitnc.com/

[politicalguy94]

03:47 AM on 02/02/2011

After a generally poor campaign strategy in the 2010 elections, the DNC is finally doing something right.
By choosing Charlotte for the 2012 Democratic National Convention, the DNC is once again getting back to the 50-state strategy. Just like how holding the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver energized supporters and helped win the state, holding the 2012 DNC in Charlotte will energize the president's supporters, especially African-Americans, and greatly increase the chances that he will win the Republican-leaning state.
But that is only one part. The DNC, if they really want to regain the House and keep the Senate and the White House in 2012, should create a network of grassroots-level field operatives at the state level to help strengthen state parties, and win state elections both at the state and federal level. This was what the DNC under Howard Dean did in 2006 and 2008 (both great Democratic years), and it is what the DNC needs to do to win in 2012.

[k man]

09:14 PM on 02/01/2011

It's all about the golf courses.

[love4life]

09:01 PM on 02/01/2011

Isn't Bank of America headquartered there?

[Kings Knight]

09:07 PM on 02/01/2011

Yes and it's headquarter tower is beautiful.

[hoho5973]

11:31 AM on 02/03/2011

Great for shopping, too!

[Ma Lucille]

07:13 PM on 02/01/2011

Carolina in my mind - James Taylor
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MaFmAH-hRdI&feature=related

[twin1616]

07:01 PM on 02/01/2011

Being a NC native, I know that Charlotte has it's own issues. But it will be exciting to witness.

[hoho5973]

11:32 AM on 02/03/2011

Even if you commit a crime, you'll only get probation.

[jdc2009]

06:39 PM on 02/01/2011

Charlotte is a very progressive city. Mecklenburg County went for Obama by 25 points in 2008, and that includes some of the conservative suburbs.

[jdc2009]

06:43 PM on 02/01/2011

Not to mention, Bush won Mecklenburg county by 3 points in 2000; so that should tell you Charlotte is becoming more progressive.

[ThatsTheTheWayItIs]

06:18 PM on 02/01/2011

Because Obama won there in 2008. In your face GOP, we're taking over a historical Red State!

Clearly the black vote helped Obama in NC, IN and VA. But it still proves that centrists elected Obama, not Progressives. There are not enough of us in those states to sway elections. We matter in Blue States, but then don't because Dems will win there anyway. Presidential elections are won by centrists, with votes from Independents.

http://www.boston.com/news/politics/politicalintelligence/2008/11/ap_obama_wins_n.html


The victory in North Carolina adds yet another solidly red state to Obama's column. His success in the Tar Heel State, as well as his wins in Indiana and Virginia, are a remarkable achievement. No Democratic candidate has won North Carolina since Jimmy Carter in 1976; Indiana and Virginia last voted for a Democrat in 1964.

[dhinds]

08:05 PM on 02/01/2011

Progressives got to work knocking on doors, making calls and blogging, to get got out that centrist vote. (But it was the black vote that carried the day for him in NC).

Of course nobody knew then the extent of his allegiance to Big Banks, Big Pharma, the Insurance Industry and Monsanto.

[dhinds]

08:09 PM on 02/01/2011

Progressives got to work knocking on doors, making calls and blogging, to get got out that centrist vote. (But it was the black vote that carried the day for him in NC).

Of nobody knew then the extent of his allegiance to Big Banks, Big Pharma, the Insurance Industry and Monsanto.

[ThatsTheTheWayItIs]

10:09 PM on 02/01/2011

Progressives can't get out the centrist vote, other than some union members and there are not many of them like 13% of US workers.

Since JFK v Nixon, TV gets out all voters. Obama on Letterman, Oprah etc did more than all the Progressives. Other than the young, clearly this and other sites matter to them, but most older voters are not so connected. But the young tend not to vote, didn't last Nov, so getting out the youth vote can make a tremendous difference.

Also get out the black vote, the groups that feel disenfranchised and don't vote. I like to note this:

Many Americans don't vote because politicians don't do what they want, but the opposite is true

Sitting out elections destroys any power a group has, despite what Progressives here said about last Nov. Because of that election, Obama moved center, now has over 50% popularity, and knows he doesn't need us. Gore actually won without the Green Party, by 500,000 more votes. That killed Progressive power in the US.

[The Martintuckian]

06:17 PM on 02/01/2011

Looks like we are finally going after the NASCAR voters.

[Kings Knight]

06:34 PM on 02/01/2011

Hey don't ya know that other than a few road course races each year NASCAR only turns left so that's something to think about.

[nohny]

08:42 PM on 02/01/2011

hey, i like that response ... i'm glad it's going to be here in charlotte -- now if we can finally lose the N.C. whenever referenced in print ...

[nohny]

08:39 PM on 02/01/2011

booo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

[Kings Knight]

09:10 PM on 02/01/2011

Born and raised in Charlotte here and loving that profile pic. The skyline has changed so much since I was a child back in the 70's.

[Kings Knight]

06:01 PM on 02/01/2011

I was born and raised in Charlotte, a true native, and am proud that Charlotte was sellected. One warning to anyone who may be planing to come, Charlotte is offten very hot and humid during the period of time the convention will be here. I love my city and am sure "ya'll" will too.

[hoho5973]

11:33 AM on 02/03/2011

Make sure you check out Carowinds!

[Tamira Beth Stephens]

05:46 PM on 02/01/2011

LAME--I was pulling for Cleveland. :-/

[dawaylifeiz]

05:32 PM on 02/01/2011

DaWayLifeIz's guide to the 2012 DNC in Charlotte Part Uno
Unlike the newspaper sites and political talking heads forums, I will give you a real world guide to the Queen city, and give you the insights on what you really want to see and do while cheering on our dear Mr. President to victory!

1) If you get lost in Charlotte, which areas to avoid?
Between Uptown and University on North Tryon, much of West Blvd, Rozelles Ferry Rd., anywhere on Beatties Ford Road that is between Uptown and I-85 interchange, Central Avenue, The Plaza and parts of Monroe Rd.

2) Where do you anticipate the hottest chicks will be hanging out?
Early analysis tells me the best bets are the lobbies of all the 4 & 5 star hotels i.e. the Ritz, Westin, Omni, Hotel Sierra, Hilton. The biggest concentration of them should be at the Epicentre between the Convention Center and Time Warner Cable Arena. There you will find bars, clubs, restaurants, a bowling alley and even more bars and clubs. I will have to update this section as I do more research and hear the word on the street.

I have of course all year to update this, so look out for future info. Upcoming will be such important information as -How to spot and avoid a Charlotte Panhandler
-Where the Rich Cougars can be found
-The eclectic cultural side of Charlotte
-Seeing some 1st 48 Landmarks of interest while in town
www.dawaylifeiz.com

[JiminNC]

05:31 PM on 02/01/2011

Oh Yeah! Just down the road!