The parties construct multimillion-dollar podiums, build skyboxes for big donors and rehearse elaborately choreographed made-for-TV demonstrations and video presentations.
The person in charge of coming up with the money to fund the Democrats' convention, Steven Farber, is a federal lobbyist. Farber, a partner at the law firm of Brownstein, Hyatt, Farber & Schreck, which has offices in Denver and Washington, remains $11.6 million short of the $40.6 million the Denver host committee pledged to raise to help fund the convention, which has a budget of about $70 million.
Corporate contributions overall to the two parties' conventions amounted to just $1 million in 1980 and $8 million in 1992. The amount rose to $56 million in 2000 and $142 million in 2004, according to the Campaign Finance Institute's report. This year, the report says, these contributions are expected to total $112 million but could go higher.
Denver convention officials have asked the Obama campaign for help. The campaign has not yet responded, and activists are watching closely.
Obama faces a dilemma. He has become the most proficient candidate in history at raising small donations from individuals. But if Obama asks for more money in the form of large checks from corporations or unions, he could undermine the credibility of his call for reform.
In theory, the 2002 reform law permitted corporate contributions to convention host committees because they were bipartisan groups set up to boost the host city's image.
However, a look at who actually raises the funds shows that partisan elected officials on these committees often take the lead, according to the Campaign Finance Institute. And the contributions often come from companies with extensive political interests and regulatory issues.
Republicans flying to St. Paul will get discounted airfares courtesy of Twin Cities-based Northwest Airlines. Minnesota-based United HealthCare is also donating to both conventions. Waste Management Inc., which has operations in Minnesota and Colorado, will help with recycling and trash removal at the conventions.
General Motors is offering in-kind support to both conventions. It has donated cars to the presidential nominating conventions since 1980.
In Denver, a select group of elected officials, former candidates and party chairs, among others, will have access to 450 new GM SUVs and passenger cars, some with volunteer drivers. For the GOP convention, the automaker is furnishing 285 vehicles, a mix of SUVS, vans and passenger cars.
