Democrats this year pride themselves on the fact that – for the first time ever – not a dime in corporate cash will help pay for their party convention in Charlotte.
But all the parties welcoming delegates and journalists to town? That’s a different story – and a different pot of money.
Cash contributions from Duke Energy, Wells Fargo Bank, Belk Stores and others will help pay for the 12 delegate parties announced Tuesday by the Charlotte host committee.
These local businesses have all donated to the “New American City Fund.” It’s a pot that was estimated – in Observer stories last year – to total about $15 million. It’s being used by Charlotte In 2012 – the host committee’s official name – to pay for “the promotion of the city of Charlotte,” said spokeswoman Suzi Emmerling.
That covers everything from delegate and press parties to mini-films advertising Charlotte’s charms that are sent to national reporters as well as Twitter and Facebook followers. The fund also will pay for the big kick-off party on Labor Day at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
When Charlotte was chosen as the 2012 convention site, the host committee also committed to raising $36.6 million and turning that money over to the Democratic National Convention Committee. That fund will pay for everything associated with the nominating process inside Time Warner Cable Arena and President Barack Obama’s speech at Bank of American Stadium.
At the president’s direction, the host committee’s contract with the DNCC said that none of that $36.6 million could be corporate money. Cash from labor union treasuries are accepted, as are in-kind contributions from corporations. DNCC staffers, for example, were given office space owned by Duke Energy.
