Milwaukee leaders express disappointment, but understanding, as DNC slips away

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

You could hear the sting of disappointment in their voices.

Local leaders expressed sadness — but little surprise — as news broke Wednesday that Joe Biden and other speakers no longer plan on traveling to Milwaukee for the 2020 Democratic National Convention.

"It sucks. It sucks for Milwaukee," said Alex Lasry, Milwaukee Bucks senior vice president who helped spearhead the city's push to land the convention. "For Milwaukee, there's no way to sugarcoat it. It just sucks."

Lasry added that he understands public health is the top priority but didn't downplay the bitter disappointment many in Milwaukee were feeling Wednesday.

"You just wonder what's the point of all this work that's going on," Milwaukee Ald. Robert Bauman said. "Basically this convention has degenerated into a gathering for an unknown purpose."

Bauman said he doesn't know what the tents, portable generators, construction and other convention-related efforts going on downtown will be used for anymore. He also questioned whether even 300 people would be traveling to Milwaukee for the convention, scheduled to be held from Aug. 17-20.

"They're not delegates — who are these people? Are they just extras that they pull in off the street?" Bauman asked.

Milwaukee initially expected a massive political convention that would draw some 50,000 visitors. Then the coronavirus pandemic hit.

Previously, organizers told state delegations not to travel to Milwaukee, moved the convention from Fiserv Forum to the nearby Wisconsin Center, added satellite events around the country and announced that large-scale events were canceled.

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett said he learned of the news Wednesday morning.

"I would be lying if I didn’t tell you that I’m very, very disappointed in this professionally and personally because I think we all have had so much pride in having Milwaukee chosen to host the 2020 Democratic National Convention," he said.

The decision to not have speakers come to Milwaukee was made at the national level by the Democratic National Committee based on advice it was receiving regarding travel, Barrett said.

He was sure there would be "some" events in Milwaukee, but said they may be completely local.

"In my mind, the decision has been made that this is a 100% virtual convention and they've done that for public health reasons, and I respect that very, very much," Barrett said.

He did not know whether there would still be protests in Milwaukee during the convention dates. Barrett said he thought the purpose of such demonstrations would be for those involved to make their voices heard — but now, the officials and media that had been expected to be here to hear those messages aren't coming.

Barrett orders freeze on convention spending

There are also questions now about whether the city will be reimbursed for the money it's spent toward the convention, and Barrett instructed the city to stop spending after hearing Wednesday's news.

"I don’t want to be in a situation where we’re not reimbursed" for spending against the federal security grant, he said. "Obviously, we are going to be making the case that every penny that we have spent has been a legitimate expenditure and should be reimbursed. And I’m optimistic that that will happen."

As of Wednesday, the city had spent $10.1 million and another $4.97 million was committed to be spent. All other spending had been suspended.

He did not know if Wednesday's announcement would change the convention's status as a national security event.

While it's unclear what convention-related events will still be held in the city, the Milwaukee Police Department said Wednesday that it "remains committed to preparing for a safe, secure and successful Democratic National Convention."

While some expressed disappointment at the latest news Biden was no longer coming to Wisconsin's largest city, many said they understood the decision.

"The upcoming Democratic convention is different than we’d imagined. A lot has changed since we set out on this journey more than a year ago now, but the one thing that hasn’t is Democrats' commitment to putting health and safety first," Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers said in a statement. "It has never been more important for elected officials to lead by example — that’s the kind of leader Joe is, and that’s the kind of president we need."

Evers added, "I know he will continue to have a presence in Wisconsin, virtually or otherwise, and I look forward to doing everything we can to win Wisconsin."

Lt. Gov Mandela Barnes said the move underscores the importance of Biden defeating President Donald Trump in November.

"One of the biggest issues in this campaign is going to be the handling of COVID-19 and how the mismanagement has driven this nation into a place of shame," Barnes said in an interview.

He said the Trump administration failed to recognize the coronavirus "as the threat that it was."

"Joe Biden recognizes the need for us to respond appropriately to an event of this magnitude to prevent further devastation," Barnes said.

Milwaukee Common Council President Cavalier Johnson acknowledged the deep disappointment Milwaukee was feeling, but said he understood the decision.

"Having the Democratic National Convention here presented a tremendous opportunity to showcase this city that we all love and reintroduce it to the country and the world," he said in a text. "But, it's important that we not lose sight of the fact that for months convention organizers have been following the science and altering the event around public health. This very difficult decision reflects those same values."

Johnson also said that Democrats' decision to pick Milwaukee as the convention's host city shows "our city is a cross-section of America and a resilient city that can compete against the best locations in the United States for large scale events."

Some expressed optimism that Milwaukee would host future events.

"Of course, I wish we could showcase Milwaukee County to the world with an in-person convention, and it is my hope that we’ll be able to do so in the future, but today I know the National Committee and the Biden campaign have made a responsible decision to put the health and safety of the American people first," Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley said in a statement.

The announcement hit hard at the Wisconsin Center, the convention site where workers have been setting up for the event.

Marty Brooks, president and chief executive officer of the Wisconsin Center District, urged the staff to follow health protocols and deliver top service.

"Each of us has been living and working under enormous amounts of stress, so today’s news feels amplified," Brooks said in a letter to staff. "Take a deep breath and remind yourself that the future of the WCD is exceptionally bright. We have much to look forward to on our continued path to transforming the city we love into a not-to-be-missed destination."

For local businesses like hotels and restaurants, the news is the final blow to hopes for a boon from the convention.

"I am so sorry this will not be the event we wanted it to be. I will continue to work with DNC officials to garner any Milwaukee-centric coverage we can get out of the event," Peggy Williams-Smith, president and CEO of Visit Milwaukee, said in a statement.

And Lasry urged Milwaukee to pursue hosting major events in the future.

"What we've been able to show the country — and hopefully ourselves — is that when we go after big events, we can win them. And that we shouldn't be shy about going for them," Lasry said. "And that we continue to be ambitious as a city, and not let this once in a lifetime pandemic deter us from going for big events again."

Lasry added that he hopes Milwaukee's summers become so busy that "it might not have the availability" in future years.

"I think it would be great for the city to make another bid in four years," he said. "I think it would be great for Milwaukee to go for other bids as well."

The Coalition to March on the DNC, a congregation of organizations from around Wisconsin and the Midwest, said on Facebook it would still move forward with its protest scheduled for the week of the convention.

Contact Mary Spicuzza at (414) 224-2324 or mary.spicuzza@jrn.com. Follow her on Twitter at @MSpicuzzaMJS.