Boston D Party Brewing for 2004

The Democratic National Committee announced Wednesday that Boston will host the party’s 2004 presidential nominating convention.

At a symbolic level, the decision will carry the Democrats to one of the nation’s most liberal states, even as the party in the 2000 and 2002 elections had difficulty reaching voters in more culturally conservative regions of the country.

At a practical level, though, the decision ensures Democrats a friendly reception from a city government led by a Democrat, Mayor Thomas Menino. He lobbied relentlessly for the convention, with the formidable assistance of party stalwart Sen. Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts.

Democratic sources said several factors contributed to the decision to pick Boston over New York and Detroit, the other cities under serious consideration. (Miami, another finalist, faded as a legitimate contender during the final review process, the sources said.)

Aides said DNC Chairman Terry McAuliffe ruled out New York partly because of the party’s experience working with a Republican mayor, then-Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan, during the 2000 convention in L.A. Many Democrats complained that the city did not live up to many of its financial and logistical commitments.

That made McAuliffe leery of entrusting the event to another Republican, New York Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg. Democrats were also concerned that Republicans might select New York as their convention site.

“We don’t want to go where Republicans are going to go,” DNC press secretary Jennifer Palmieri said.

Detroit lost out, officials said, largely out of concern that it lacked enough hotel rooms for the thousands of delegates, journalists and others who flock to the conventions. DNC officials stressed that Detroit will be a leading contender for the 2008 event.

Menino impressed Democrats with a proposal that included $20 million in private funds to help pay for the convention, use of the new Fleet Center to host it and ample lodging.

The gathering, scheduled for July 26-29, 2004, will mark the first time Boston has hosted a national convention for either of the two major parties.

“We felt that its time was long overdue, and we’re proud to help this great city make history,” McAuliffe said in announcing the choice. “Maybe we can even set a trend and help Boston end another long drought -- a Democratic convention for Boston and a World Series championship for the Red Sox ... all in the same year.”

The decision has intriguing implications for Sen. John F. Kerry of Massachusetts, who is expected to be one of the leading contenders for the party’s 2004 nomination. If Kerry wins, the convention presumably would become a triumphant embrace of him.

But if he loses -- especially in an acrimonious race -- the gathering could put him in a somewhat awkward position.

Republicans are planning their convention for Aug. 30 to Sept. 2, 2004. Along with New York, the leading contenders are New Orleans and Tampa, Fla.