Major Party Conventions Go Green: Which is Greener?

As the 2008 presidential race begins to intensify, the competition between Republicans and Democrats is going beyond deciding whose candidate will run the country for the next four years. The parties are competing to show the country which can be more 'green.'

The 2008 Republican and Democratic National Committees are just six months away from naming a nominee at their respective conventions. Both parties are working closely with local authorities to ensure that the gatherings will leave a minimal environmental footprint. Executing that goal is a daunting task. Both conventions are expected to attract 35,000 to 45,000 party activists and media members and bring 150 million to 160 million dollars to the hosting cities, according to the RNC Convention website and an Ian Swanson article in The Hill.

In the current planning stages, neither party has an edge. In fact, a side-to-side comparison of either party's green plan shows that they are identical. The Democrats will be hosted by Denver, Colorado and the Republicans will hold their convention in St. Paul, Minnesota. Both cities are in the top ten of National Geographic's Top Green Cities in the U.S. According to press releases from both parties (RNC & DNC), they are using recycled office furnishings, office climate control, housing within walking distance, electronic document communication and participating in local service projects. Even the sounds bites are practically identical:

"I am honored to be hosting my state counterparts in Denver," said Pat Waak, Chair of the Colorado Democratic Party, on the DNC website. "Even more important is the opportunity to promote what we believe will be the 'greenest' convention in Democrats' history."

"Republicans are committed to making next year's nominated convention in Minneapolis-St. Paul the 'greenest' in party history," said Maria Cino, CEO of the Republican Convention, in the Washington Post.