LAUNCHING THE NATIONAL CONVENTIONS – AT 11:18 A.M. ET:  The parties are in the process of choosing the cities for the 2016 presidential nominating conventions.  Such excitement.  From Fox: 

Washington Democrats on Saturday announced the names the of U.S. cities that have submitted official bids to host their 2016 national convention -- Cleveland, New York, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Birmingham, Ala., and Columbus, Ohio.

We don't make predictions here, but my guess is that New York will get it, especially if Hillary runs.  Her husband was nominated in New York in 1992, and the new mayor of the city, Bill DeBlasio, is a Dem darling and a Clinton intimate.

Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz said the bids will be evaluated in the coming months by a committee advisory group and that a decision will be reached by late 2014 or early 2015.

“Hosting a party convention is a true honor, and we’re thrilled with all the fantastic options that we have going into the next cycle,” the Florida congresswoman said.

The Democratic and Republican national conventions are where delegates nominate their respective party’s presidential candidate.

Republicans have already released their list of host finalists for 2016 -- Cleveland, Dallas, Denver and Kansas City, Mo.

I'm guessing Dallas, maybe Kansas City. 

On Friday, New York City Democratic Mayor Bill de Blasio suggest to the DNC that his home district, Brooklyn, and its pro sports and entertainment facility, the Barclays Center, be the hub of the convention.

COMMENT:  The Barclays Center, as we've pointed out, is named for an international bank.  That may give some Dems heart attacks.  Besides, it's the ugliest sports arena I've ever seen.  I mean, it would win an ugly contest.  And the traffic is impossible. 

Most chic Dems probably want to have the convention in Indonesia, but that violates tradition.

June 8, 2014