Three locations have bid to host the 2009 Young Democrats of America National Convention: Chicago, IL, Kansas City, KS/MO, and Charlotte, NC. The location will be decided by an electronic vote of the YDA National Committee.

The host committees of Chicago and Kansas City have been lobbying hard for their cities, and I found this little tête à tête amusing.

Chicago sent out a reminder to vote with the lyrics to a Sinatra song about the city:

Now this could only happen to a guy like me
And only happen in a town like this
And so I say to each of you most gratefully
As I throw each one of you a kiss

This is my kind of town, Chicago is
My kind of town, Chicago is
My kind of people too
People who, smile at you

And each time I roam, Chicago is
Calling me home, Chicago is
One town that won’t let you down
It’s my kind of town

My kind of town, Chicago is
My kind of town, Chicago is
My kind of razzmatazz
And it has, all that jazz

And each time I leave, Chicago is
Tuggin’ my sleeve, Chicago is
The Wrigley Building, Chicago is
The Chicago Cubbies, Chicago is
One town that won’t let you down
It’s my kind of town

The next day, Kansas City strikes back (emphasis my own):

Upon selection, we will host our Convention in the historic Downtown Marriott, which includes Harry Truman’s “White House of the West.” The hotel is situated in the middle of Kansas City’s revitalized downtown, steps away from the Kansas City Convention Center. The hotel is within walking distance of several dozen restaurants and nightclubs, as well as the historic 18th and Vine Museum district. No shuttle necessary to see some of the sites!

Over the next few days, you can look for several more emails from our host committee outlining why Kansas City is the best choice for our upcoming convention. We could try to dazzle you with fluff, such as the lyrics to the song “Kansas City,” but in the end it should be the merits of the bid that impact your decision.

I’m oddly amused by this whole thing. As soon as I read the second email I kept thinking of political attack ads running between the two cities.




The cities will continue to try to “dazzle” the members of the National Committee before the voting deadline at the end of the month.