Democratic National Convention comes to Boston in 2004

Students and faculty reacted positively to last week's announcement that the Democratic National Party selected Boston to host its 2004 convention. Boston was chosen over New York, Miami, and Detroit to host its first-ever national political convention.

The city of Boston has received over $20 million in cash pledges from businesses toward the $49.5 million convention budget, The Boston Globe reported. The event will take place at the 19,000-seat Fleet Center the week of July 26, 2004.

Massachusetts, and Boston in particular, have been known as historical hotbeds of revolution and liberalism. It is unclear whether these factors played into the Democratic National Committee's location choice.

Since parties often choose swing states to host their national conventions, it is unlikely that Boston was chosen because of its historically democratic undercurrents, Political Science Professor Jeffery Berry said.

But, he added, even though the swing state strategy is commonly used, "there is no evidence it works."

Some students are hopeful that Boston's historical context may be used as a tool to regain the Democratic seats lost in midterm elections. Student Kate Gluckman found the recent elections worrisome and hopes that Boston will prove to be a host city of democratic resurgence.

Massachusetts may be represented in more ways than one at the convention, as Senator John Kerry (D-MA) is contemplating running for the presidential nomination. Though the hometown location might appear to help Kerry, he is unlikely to gain an advantage, Berry said.

Gluckman believes that local democrats will also experience positive repercussions from the location of the convention. Democrats will gain more exposure, and the convention will stir up positive sentiment among the local population, she said.

Student involvement should be high, particularly since "Tufts' campus leans toward the liberal and more democratic side," Tufts Democrats President Brian Davis said.

Political science majors "will be offered a lot of opportunities as interns or jobs when they graduate," Davis said. The convention will be "a great gateway for them to get into the political life, especially for the Democratic Party."

Younger Tufts students, especially freshmen and sophomores, will also reap a variety of opportunities related to the convention, said Kim Perez, a graduate student and teaching assistant in comparative politics. The convention's proximity and the possible internships available to Tufts students will encourage political activism among students, she said.

The convention may "inspire Tufts students to be more active in partisan politics," which is especially important when student apathy is so high, Davis said. The Tufts Democrats will definitely be involved, he said, although the exact nature of their involvement has yet to be determined.

"Boston needs to get ready, and then they can tell us what we can do," Davis said.

If past conventions are any indication, the Boston will experience positive economic effects, since local businesses will see an influx of tourists and convention members. The convention is expected to infuse $150 million into the state economy, the Globe reported. An estimated 5,000 jobs will result from the convention, and 50,000 delegates, journalists, and visitors are expected to flock to the city's hotels, restaurants and tourist attractions.

Rumors have suggested that the city will attempt to finish local civic projects, such as the Big Dig, to encourage Boston's reputation as a good location for major conventions. Mayor Thomas Menino pledged that the Big Dig "will be buttoned up for the most part" by the July convention, according to the Globe.