DNC Makes Convention Audible Official

The rumors are true - Obama will make his acceptance speech at the Dem convention at the humongous INVESCO Field, instead of the Pepsi Center:

DENVER - Breaking the mold of traditional political Conventions, the Democratic National Convention Committee (DNCC) today announced that Senator Barack Obama will accept the Democratic nomination for President of the United States at Denver's INVESCO Field at Mile High. INVESCO Field can accommodate more than 75,000 people and will be the site of the 2008 Democratic Convention's final day of programming on Thursday, August 28, 2008.

"The Democratic Party is nominating a true change candidate this August, and it is only fitting that we make some big changes in how we put on the Convention," said Governor Howard Dean, Chairman of the Democratic National Committee (DNC). "Senator Obama's candidacy has generated an enormous amount of excitement and interest, not only in the Democratic Party but also in the 2008 Convention. By bringing the last night of the Convention out to the people, we will be able to showcase Barack Obama's positive, people-centered vision for our country in a big way."

The visuals will be great, obviously. And as Todd pointed out, the larger venue will likely minimize the capacity problems of previous conventions.

The traveling press wears their cynicism about Obama's big crowds as a badge of honor. But for the uninitiated, an Obama speech in such a large venue is a thrill - and will provide great contrast to whatever inevitable teleprompter awkwardness McCain delivers in Minneapolis.

Update [2008-7-7 11:58:16 by Josh Orton]: Via TPM, some video from the last Democrat to pull off the same move, JFK:

Tags: Barack Obama, Election 08 (all tags)

Comments

40 Comments

A special venue for a historical feat on a

historical day.

There will be A LOT of hype about this as this event draws near since the date of the speech is the 45th anniversary of MLK's "I HAVE A DREAM" speech.

The WHOLE WORLD will be watching.

I kind of miss Tim Russert when I think about this for Tim was always so enthusiastic about this speech that Obama will be giving.

by puma 2008-07-07 06:52AM | 0 recs
Re: A special venue for a historical feat on a

Yeah. The expectations for this speech will be ridiculously high.

The GOP will be beating the drum for Obama to offer "specifics" (because if they taunt him into giving a policy speech, it'll be much more boring). Remember the Wisconsin speech? He was taunted into giving a typical political speech (tons of facts, figures, policy proposals) and it was not so great.

He needs to just ignore that and give a more general speech that addresses why he's proud of the country and why he wants to change it.

by Lance Bryce 2008-07-07 08:12AM | 0 recs
Re: DNC Makes Convention Audible Official

Well the truly great thing is that a ton of Colorado residents will be able to be there, to see the speech in person, to get excited and worked up.  This really will help him win CO.

by Vox Populi 2008-07-07 06:54AM | 0 recs
Re: DNC Makes Convention Audible Official

Also, for those of you who don't live in Colorado, Coloradoans prefer to call it Mile High Stadium.  The only people who call it Invesco Field are in the media and they only call it that because their sponsors would have a fit.

by jlars 2008-07-07 09:59AM | 0 recs
Re: DNC Makes Convention Audible Official

I think it would be awesome if 75,000+, in chorus, wish McCain a 'Happy 72nd Birthday'. Just kidding, that would be mean but funny. I'm stoked that more than 75k people will be coming to see Obama speak on such an historic day. Now compare that to the GOP convention which will more than likely have empty seats and seats filled by bumbling mindless drones like Rush Limbaugh and Ann Coulter.

by Steve24 2008-07-07 07:00AM | 0 recs
Re: DNC Makes Convention Audible Official

seriously I am sooo pissed that we in MN are stuck with McCain and the boring GOP convention, why oh why couldnt we have had the DNC convention!

damn you Obama for taking MN for granted!

by TruthMatters 2008-07-07 07:04AM | 0 recs
I Live In Denver!

But, good luck finding tickets! Those tickets will be harder to come by than Super-bowl tickets if the Broncos were playing.

by Cugel 2008-07-07 08:11AM | 0 recs
Re: DNC Makes Convention Audible Official

To be fair to Obama, the convention city was chosen long before he became the nominee. It was chosen before a single primary or caucus vote had been cast.

by democrattotheend 2008-07-07 01:53PM | 0 recs
Re: DNC Makes Convention Audible Official
Wow, I wonder how much the tickets will be- I'm only 5 hours away!!
That would be a blast to go to! And quite an historic event as well!
by skohayes 2008-07-07 07:07AM | 0 recs
Free

I am sure they will be free, but the hardest part will just be getting them.  They will probably be giving a lot away to volunteers first, so if you live near Denver, you should probably sign up for helping out the party.  I think that is going to be your best shot to get a ticket

by monkeyga 2008-07-07 08:44AM | 0 recs
Re: Free
Bummer. Unfortuntately, I'm next door in Kansas (about 300 miles away from Denver), and in a very rural area, but I have "offered" myself to a Senate campaign here in Kansas, so maybe there is hope.
Thanks for the information, I'll keep my eyes peeled!
by skohayes 2008-07-07 02:31PM | 0 recs
Re: DNC Makes Convention Audible Official

     McCain's acceptance speech will be given in St. Paul, where the convention is held, not Minneapolis.

by Ron Thompson 2008-07-07 07:39AM | 0 recs
Re: DNC Makes Convention Audible Official

My gawd, you guys sound like a bunch of groupies! Maybe I should check back.....

by KDelphi 2008-07-07 07:53AM | 0 recs
Re: DNC Makes Convention Audible Official

Yeah it's almost as if this is a Democratic blog supporting a Democratic candidate for president!

by Lance Bryce 2008-07-07 08:05AM | 0 recs
Re: DNC Makes Convention Audible Official

What if it rains?

by Crookd River Progressive 2008-07-07 07:56AM | 0 recs
Re: DNC Makes Convention Audible Official

Not likely. That's dry season in Colorado. And even if it rains, that would make for an even better visual (75k diehards braving the rain in ponchos to see Obama).

by Lance Bryce 2008-07-07 08:09AM | 0 recs
Free Concert

Jeralyn at Talkleft was wondering which Band are they planning to get for a free concert for the stadium to fill up?

http://www.talkleft.com/story/2008/7/7/1 14353/7501

by gaf 2008-07-07 07:57AM | 0 recs
Re: Free Concert

They don't need a free concert to fill the stadium.

Obama could pack about 200,000 for his acceptance speech if he wanted with no other incentive than the speech.

Entertainment is probably a good idea though, since security measures will mean that people have to sit around bored for a few hours before the thing starts.

by Lance Bryce 2008-07-07 08:07AM | 0 recs
Re: Free Concert

It's funny that that's the conclusion you draw, since Jeralyn only wondered what entertainment would be available - not that it was necessary to fill the stadium up.

Oh wait a minute, you're the troll who's written birth certificate diaries and diaries containing manufactured quotes about abortion, so I guess your misrepresentation isn't a surprise after all!

by rfahey22 2008-07-07 08:14AM | 0 recs
that's what Jeralyn was implying

It was pretty obvious.

by John DE 2008-07-07 08:40AM | 0 recs
Probably

OK, I havent read the article, but I do know that Jeralyn still thinks there are only 27 people in the whole country who will vote for Obama.  I would not be suprised that he comment was meant to be snarky and divisive.

by monkeyga 2008-07-07 08:46AM | 0 recs
Re: Probably

In fairness to Jeralyn, at least she is trying to get behind Obama and encourage readers at her blog to do the same. At least she has not let the site become a haven for PUMA organizing.

by democrattotheend 2008-07-07 01:54PM | 0 recs
Re: Free Concert

If he gets the Decemberists again, I'm there.  Screw all my other plans.  But he probably won't, he'll totally go mainstream.  I loved Obama before it was cool. :(

by BishopRook 2008-07-07 08:52AM | 0 recs
I was wondering

when Jeralyn is ever going to write a post worth reading again.

by JJE 2008-07-07 09:18AM | 0 recs
Does Obama really think he is Kennedy?

he is so arrogant. Does he really think he is John Kennedy? Kennedy had an air of Camelot, Michelle is nothing close to Camelot. Kennedy had experience, 14 years, Obama 3. Honestly, what is so inspiring about Barack Obama? Its not like he has any ideas, just snake oil.

by Lakrosse 2008-07-07 08:26AM | 0 recs
Learn your history, PLEASE

Camalot was not associated to Kennedy until AFTER he was dead.   Jackie gave an interview in December 1963 where she stated that Jack used to like to listen to the soundtrack at night.

There was no Camelot in Summer 1960.  For Crying out loud, the show didn't even open until after the 1960 election.

by monkeyga 2008-07-07 08:48AM | 0 recs
I sure hope not

I'd prefer not to barely avoid nuclear war and wiretap civil rights leaders, if possible.

by JJE 2008-07-07 09:17AM | 0 recs
Re: Does Obama really think he is Kennedy?

Thankfully Obama is more frequently presenting Abraham Lincoln as a model, not Kennedy.

Obama promises to be just as inspirational but much more sober than Kennedy was.

by Aris Katsaris2 2008-07-07 12:21PM | 0 recs
Re: DNC Makes Convention Audible Official

Interesting, if you look at the wide shots, the L.A. Coliseum was anything but full.  Hardly anyone in the far half of the stadium, and no one on the field except those at the very front.  Actually looked a little underwhelming by today's standards, but was probably amazing for the time.

Don't think this will be a problem at Invesco Field.  Smaller capacity than the L.A. Coliseum, and probably more passion for Obama today than Kennedy in 1960.

by alphaaqua 2008-07-07 08:35AM | 0 recs
Re: DNC Makes Convention Audible Official

The seating capacity of the LA Coliseum in 1960 (the Dodgers played there before Chavez Ravine opened in 1962) was about 101,000.  The crowd estimate at the Kennedy convention speech was about 75,000.  134,000 went to see Billy Graham there in 1963.

by mboehm 2008-07-07 09:06AM | 0 recs
Unrelated, but funny...

McCain's campaign has hired the campaign manager of Rudy's presidential non-campaign to be his political director...

No punchline folks... just the facts...

by JDF 2008-07-07 09:20AM | 0 recs
Re: Unrelated, but funny...

haha i saw that.  Only further evidence to prove a third term for Bush...

by selfevident 2008-07-07 12:52PM | 0 recs
Re: DNC Makes Convention Audible Official

I live less than 2 miles to both Pepsi Center and Mile-High(no we don't call it Invesco).
The number will be over 85,000 as they will put at least 10,000 on the field.
Beyond a shill for our Broncos..this is a short inside glimpse
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ST8kQy5iS Bc

I am sure there will be an amazing scene of "tailgate parties". There have been some amazing fireworks stuff there..so expect that...
In the old Mile-High we could shake the Stadium..This is designed to do the same.
An amazing PR move..
No worry about rain..we are in a serious drought...
It will be way more cool than people think..

by nogo postal 2008-07-07 09:22AM | 0 recs
Re: DNC Makes Convention Audible Official

It WON'T hold an extra ten thousand -- remember, they will have to close off the areas behind the stage to seating, same as a large concert.  So even if there are ten thousand people on the field (which seems a bit of a stretch), a significant part of the stadium will be shut off.

Well, unless they do something like the Beastie Boys did in their "In the Round" tour.

by fbihop 2008-07-07 09:40AM | 0 recs
Re: DNC Makes Convention Audible Official

I'm so jealous! I live in Virginia and am seriously thinking about flying to Denver just to be there for this historic event.

by democrattotheend 2008-07-07 02:02PM | 0 recs
Re: DNC Makes Convention Audible Official

..and yes it will allow those with political speech closest access outside to an event..(not a bad thing)..

by nogo postal 2008-07-07 09:28AM | 0 recs
Re: DNC Makes Convention Audible Official
Play with google map Street view for I at Mile High.. http://maps.google.com/
(just pull it a little to the right)
There will be political activity on areas known as City Park..Civic Center Park..and Auraria Campus (right next to Pepsi Center)
by nogo postal 2008-07-07 09:44AM | 0 recs
Re: DNC Makes Convention Audible Official

pretty cool on google earth too.

by fogiv 2008-07-07 09:50AM | 0 recs
Reuters remains firmly in reality

Reuters headline: "Democrats to open Obama nomination speech to public"

Only in bizarro-world would this be interpreted as...

"Arrogant Obama obsessed with his own rock-star image!"

But that's all I heard about it on TV...

by BishopRook 2008-07-07 09:50AM | 0 recs
Re: DNC Makes Convention Audible Official

One last..for those planning to come to Denver.. rooms at reasonable price still available at best place..
less than 40 min down canyon..

http://www.indianhotsprings.com/

by nogo postal 2008-07-07 09:50AM | 0 recs

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