Denver Secures Key Hire in Bid for 2008 Democratic National Convention

Strategic Insights -

Debbie Willhite, a highly influential Democratic Party strategist, has been named executive director of the Denver 2008 Host Committee, marking the city's determination to win the 2008 convention. Willhite, who has played a crucial role in Bill Clinton's presidential campaigns, sees Denver as a powerful "launching pad" for the party's next presidential nominee. She believes the city's unique positioning in the Mountain West region will help the Democratic Party expand its electoral map and attract independent voters.

Key Takeaways:

  • Debbie Willhite, a key Democratic Party strategist, has been named executive director of the Denver 2008 Host Committee.
  • Willhite sees Denver as a "launching pad" for the Democratic Party's next presidential nominee, citing the city's unique positioning in the Mountain West region.
  • Denver's location stretches the electoral map and demonstrates the Democrats' reach to the Rocky Mountain West, giving the city an edge over competitors New York and Minneapolis-St. Paul.
  • Willhite was the Democratic National Committee's national field coordinator in 1992 and 1996, and has worked on every Democratic convention since 1980.
  • The hiring of Willhite marks several changes for the host committee, which has been run by a volunteer group of business and elected leaders since Denver's bid in February.
  • City Councilwoman Elbra Wedgeworth was named volunteer president, and Paul Lhevine, who managed Mayor John Hickenlooper's 2003 election victory, was named director of operations.

Statistics:

  • 1980: The year Debbie Willhite began working on Democratic conventions.
  • 1992 and 1996: The years Willhite served as the Democratic National Committee's national field coordinator.
  • 1992: The year Willhite worked as deputy director of the 1992 Democratic convention in New York.
  • 1997: The year Willhite served as executive director for the Denver Summit of the Eight.
  • 2003: The year Paul Lhevine managed Mayor John Hickenlooper's election victory.

Sources:

  • Rocky Mountain News, Alan Gathright.