By NCDM President Denver Mayor Wellington E. Webb
February 3, 2003

The National Conference of Democratic Mayors had an opportunity last week to meet and hear all six of the active candidates for the Democratic nomination for President in 2004. It was the first forum for the candidates to meet America's top local elected officials.

Senator John Kerry (MA), Representative Richard Gephardt (MO), former-Governor Howard Dean (VT), Reverend Al Sharpton, Senator Joe Lieberman (CT), and Senator John Edwards (NC) all appeared before the mayors. Former'senator Gary Hart (CO) was also invited but could not attend due a scheduling conflict.

Senator Kerry told us he would make education his top priority. He also said new spending for infrastructure projects such as mass transit is a current and long-term priority for getting Americans back to work and investing in our cities.

Representative Richard Gephardt talked about homeland security and keeping people safe. He said he would target resources to that rather than eliminate double taxation on dividends. He also talked about the need for health insurance funding and proposed rolling back the tax cuts already enacted during the Bush Administration to pay for his new program.

Governor Dean talked more directly to mayors, sharing his ideas for investment in cities and for working with the mayors on homeland security and other issues. He acknowledged the political power of mayors and their organizations.

Reverend Al Sharpton also talked about targeting resources to first responders, police and firefighters in cities. He was the most entertaining of all the speakers, drawing on his extensive experience in preaching to congregations.

Senator Joe Lieberman also called for repeal of the Bush tax cuts and said the money is needed for homeland security.

Senator John Edwards spoke more informally to the mayors because he arrived later and joined the reception already in progress. He called for stronger efforts to ensure homeland security and for mayors and the federal government to work together to achieve mutual goals – no matter who becomes the Democratic nominee.

When we began work on the Presidential forum in December, we did not know how much of a logistical challenge it would be. Bitter cold weather, one cancelled flight, and the Senate being in session and voting on amendments to the appropriations package for FY2003 made it harder for the candidates to keep their appointments with us. But they did. It was a tribute to the Democratic mayors. Candidates need us.

We may not be able to decide this early on which of the candidates for 2004 are most committed to helping cities and to making sure resources needed to keep cities safe are directed to the mayors. However, this forum introduced all of us to each other. We hope it will lead to a more intense dialogue as the campaign progresses. There is a great deal at stake for all of us in this debate, no matter what the outcome of the 2004 election is. I hope we can continue the discussion in Denver at our annual meeting in June.