Dem bums! DNC says NFW for NYC

February 12, 2015 By Lore Croghan Brooklyn Daily Eagle

It looks like Nets player Kevin Garnett, depicted over the entrance to Barclays Center, is tearing his shirt in despair because the Democrats are not bringing the 2016 convention to Brooklyn. Photos by Lore Croghan

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Brooklyn merchants will be crying in their beer at McMahon’s Public House and stress-eating their way through the dessert menu at The Chocolate Room.

Those Dems picked the City of Brotherly Love as their 2016 convention site instead of B’KLYN. Bummer!

And oh yeah, Columbus got the cold shoulder too.

The swing state capital, whose idea of a good time is watching the Ohio State marching band during football game half-times, was the third finalist city.

The news came early Thursday in an announcement from the Democratic National Committee, that Philadelphia is the choice as the venue for the July 2016 confab where the party will nominate its presidential candidate.

Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams summed up Brooklyn’s widespread disappointment.

“Instead of a cutting-edge choice that would be a nod to the Democratic Party’s future, the pick was made for a safe site that hearkens more to its past,” he said.

“You have to dream big to be big, and no one dreams bigger than Brooklyn,” Adams said. “Our pursuit of hosting the 2016 Democratic National Convention was a valiant pursuit that made us stronger and more united as a borough.”

The news was a blow to restaurant, bar and shop owners in the neighborhoods surrounding Barclays Center, where the convention would have been held if Brooklyn had received the nod.

“The Brooklyn Chamber is disappointed that the Democratic National Convention will not be coming to Brooklyn,” said Carlo Scissura, the chamber’s president and CEO. “The DNC would have provided a tremendous boost to our borough’s economy, but Brooklyn is already booming anyway.”

Scissura urged Dem convention-goers to take a train ride to B’KLYN “to experience everything we have to offer.”

The DNC snub was also stinging to faithful Hillary Clinton fans throughout New York City, who had imagined the thrill of seeing her accept the party’s nomination on their home turf.

Among them was Mayor Bill de Blasio, who told the Associated Press that Brooklyn’s ascendancy is “America’s greatest urban success story” and it would have made a superb convention site.

Debbie Wasserman Schultz stuck a stake in Brooklynites’ hearts with a statement posted on the Democratic Convention Watch website.

“In addition to their commitment to a seamless and safe convention, Philadelphia’s deep-rooted place in American history provides a perfect setting for this special gathering,” said the DNC chair.

“I cannot wait to join Democrats across the country to celebrate our shared values, lay out a Democratic vision for the future, and support our nominee,” she added.

The DNC’s Technical Advisory Group evaluated cities across the country, “looking at factors such as hotel capacity, transportation, security, financing and logistics.”

The DNC signed the final contract with Philadelphia on Thursday morning.

Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter was a gracious winner, saying his city was “excited and honored” to be selected.

“We’re all delighted to make history again, here in the City of Brotherly and Sisterly Affection,” he said.

So okay, we know Philly’s got the Liberty Bell — and a statue of Rocky Balboa commemorating the movie character’s workouts on the steps of its museum. But really — Dem delegates are going to miss out on so much by not having their convention in Brooklyn.

Here at the Brooklyn Daily Eagle we want the Dems to have a really good idea of all the fun they could have had.

So we suggest they look at this week’s EYE ON REAL ESTATE postings, which were written before Brooklyn’s hopes for hosting the convention were dashed.