"The progressive spirit of New York City has never been stronger or more vibrant than it is today," writes Mayor Bill de Blasio in a formal proposal to host the 2016 festivities at Barclays Center, according to the New York Times. "We believe that this spirit can energize and captivate both the Democratic Party and the nation." Jay Z for president?
While de Blasio's own Brooklyn would be the center of the action, "accommodations and other events" would be shared with the other, less hip boroughs. New York City, the mayor noted, has the "capacity to execute large, world-class events," and is "the safest big city in the country." It is not, however, located in a swing state, which is where these things tend to end up lately.
Madison Square Garden has hosted, of course, most recently for the 2004 RNC, a prolonged disaster for the city. Bill Clinton was also coronated there in 1992. A lot has changed in the two-plus decades since — Brooklyn has an arena, for instance, along with a Whole Foods, artisanal mayo store, and school for baby DJs — but the guest of honor may very well have a familiar surname.
i have no problem with the dem convention coming to brooklyn but given past experience with protesting at convention sites in nyc, it will mean for maximum security the closing of the atlantic center, atlantic, fourth and flatbush aves. in other words most of downtown brooklyn. better to have it prospect park at the bandshell... not. there were thousands of people there yesterday evening and it made me think my house is not worth the zillion dollars i am being offered everyday and every way. the only convention that should be held there is the working families party. a few hudnred people will be no problem, may be less after they endorsed cuomo not the ......
ReplyDelete