Politico that St. Louis is now one of the top two contenders to host the 2012 Democratic National Convention. The other city giving St. Louis the biggest challenge? Charlotte, N.C.
So what, according to Politico, does St. Louis have going for it to host the event?
- A democratic governor in .
- Powerful allies. In addition to Missouri's congressional Democrats, including , the Illinois delegation 鈥� including such trusted Obama allies as Sen. and Chicago Mayor 鈥� backs St. Louis, which, of course, shares a metropolitan area with downstate Illinois.
- Endorsement from the UNITE HERE hotel workers union. This is something that - and it's a factor that could make or break the event.
Mack Bradley, a member of the city's and spokesman for St. Louis' bid points out that one of the in the final weeks before the election, with an estimated 100,000 people in attendance. "Clearly, we know how to draw a crowd," he said.
The decision is expected to be finalized in January.
At an appearance in St. Louis on Friday, Gov. Nixon said that he and have spoken frequently since a in July.
"I know we did really well when the review team came out here. It would be an exciting opportunity for our state. When you talk about the economic part of it, having a convention, that鈥檚 a week-long Super Bowl right there," Nixon said.
