MILWAUKEE -- The 2020 Democratic National Convention Host Committee has cut its staff in half -- the latest problem for a convention amid the coronavirus pandemic.
50,000 people were expected to flood the streets of Milwaukee for the DNC, adding a $200 million surge into the local economy. But with the coronavirus rocking the city and the entire country, the possibility that the streets remain empty in August is real.
"Sure, it's possible we have a convention. I personally think it's probably most unlikely," said Terry McAuliffe, who ran the 2000 DNC in Los Angeles. "You have to raise $70-80 million for these things. Can you imagine trying to raise money right now to go to Milwaukee in the summer? How difficult that would be, you can't make money calls."
2020 Democratic National Convention (DNC)
Now, the group leading the convention's fundraising and volunteer recruitment is laying off staff. The host committee had 31 staff members; 14 of them will stay, 11 were offered jobs elsewhere and six lost their jobs.
Raquel Filmanowicz, the CEO of the Milwaukee 2020 Host Committee said in a statement:
The Wisconsin Democratic Chair Ben Wilker said it is too early to say what will happen.
Joe Biden
"Whatever form the convention takes is going to knock people's socks off," said Wilker via WisPolitics.
There has been growing talk -- including from people such as McAuliffe and presidential candidate Joe Biden -- that the convention may be held virtually.
A Marquette University Law School poll earlier this month found 62% of Wisconsinites said the convention should not be held in-person, while 22% said the DNC should happen as planned.
Statement from Joe Solmonese, CEO of the Democratic National Convention Committee: