Trestman. Rustmen tman. Workm and, alonzo hamby. Aftert 10 00 eastern, discusses the history of guns and how they became part of the american culture. The business end of manufacturing and selling arms. She is interviewed by william doyle. I think it is strange to assume that the element of the culture that had the very most mostin is the very invisible when you think about guns. Instead, most of the political thes about interpreting second amendment. 10 30 eastern, marcia clark weighs in on the legal system and discusses her second career as a novelist. We spoke with ms. Clark at the of america. Xpo on thursday, Democratic Party officials discussed the planning for the National Convention next month in philadelphia. Plans include reparations for security and protest. This is 45 minutes. Today we are happy to welcome to the press club, philadelphia mayor jim kenney and Dnc Convention ceo leah caughtry. Andy executive director, kevin washo. Given the four day stravgsz that will draw an estimated 50,000 or mur it seems like a good time to talk to these folks about what to expect. Jim kenney became philadelphias mayor january this year. Prior to the election e served at councilman at large. The mayor also served on the counsel when the city hosted the 2000 Republican Convention. Leah dautry is the chief executive oifrt the 2016 democratic National Convention. The first person to manage a Democratic Convention for a second time. Previously served as the ceo for the 2008 convention in denver where president obama received his partys nomination. Kevin washo serves as executive director for the Host Committee for the democratic National Convention. He assumed this role after having coordinated philadelphias successful bid to host the host the dnc. They were each offer short remarks and then we take some questions. Mr. Mayor, we start with you. Good afternoon. And thank you and it is an honor to be here. And also an honor to be the new mayor of city of philadelphia since january 2016 and also an honor to have the dnc choose philadelphia as the place to make history in our country. Which will be made in the end of july here in philadelphia not here in philadelphia. There in philadelphia. And weve been doing big vents in philly for some time. The 2000 rnc went very well. We just had the pope. Which was a huge, huge unbelievable difficult to manage event. Which we did. And weve had made in america for a number of years now in the parkway. Our fourth of july ceremonies and concert on the parkway are large events. Looking at 50,000 people or so. The pope had much much more than that and we want to make sure that people are safe. That euro delegates are safe. The prez is safe, that everyone who comes and our visitors are safe. We want to make sure people have an opportunity to experience the fun. This as participatory democracy and the key is to participant. So there will be events are at the Pennsylvania Convention center which are free for focus and events all around the city that are free. We want people to stay in philadelphia, not to leave down. But to stay in philly and enjoy it. And we want to make sure people have an opportunity to express their First Amendment rights as loud and as long as they like. And want to make sure everyone is kept safe 2 process also. We look forward to hosting the world actually. Because we know there is so much national, International Attention to this particular event. And were very proud to put our best food forward and to show the world a good time and were happy to when you come here to philadelphia. You would have a good time and well see you there. So thank you. Good morning. Him and thank you for inviting me today. The role of the media is critical to our convention. And it is incumbent upon us and we understand the importance of giving you as much information to help us get our message out about what we propose do as a party, should the American People trust us with their vote. Putting on a convention is like putting together a puzzle, a massive jigsaw puzzle. And if you know anything about e me you know that i love puz lsz so this is the perfect job for me. Every piece has a specific purpose and fits in a specific place and the puzzle cannot be complete until all the pieces are in their place. And for months and for people like kevin on the Host Committee and me, our work has been going on for years. And the puzzle is very near completion. We believe there is no better place to hold the convention than in the birthplace of american democracy. In just 34 days when democrats assemble in philadelphia they will encounter a convention that looks like our party and that looks like our nation. Although the conventions schedule had not been set yet, viewers and attendies can expect that the first evening well accomplish our partys business adopting the rules and the platform and convention officers. And then we will move into the meat of the convention, culminating of course in the nomination of our Vice President ial and president ial candidates. In the midst of the excitement we cannot forget that the delegates are coming to philadelphia to do the business of our party. As ceo of this convention and having also served in this role in 2008 and having worked on every Convention Since 1992, i started when i was 3. I am uniquely aware of whats at stake for the convention and ultimately this election. While the convention doesnt kick off until july weve already begun the important works of shaping of vision for our party through the platform drafting process. In a platform is a mission, statement of our princesiples and identity as democrats. Weve asked democrats to make their voices heard and participate in the process by submitting written testimony, by submitting video testimony. By giving us their comments online. Via mail, all the traditional ways. And weve been thrilled with the overwhelming response weve received from democrats across the country. Our first drafting hearing was haelds just last week. A week before last in washington d. C. Where we focused on issues around the economy, foreign policy, education and equality. This past weekend we were in phoenix, arizona, to discuss health and safety. The environment, and arch and expanding and protecting our american democracy. Through issues such as voteing right is, protections and Campaign Finance reform. Weve seen a productive and indepth process and exchange of views through this platform. And we are looking forward to sharing with our convention a document, a statement of principles, that em bodes all of who we are as democrats. As we celebrate these ideals, the ideals that make us a party. That unite us as a party im also mindful as the distinct opportunity that we have to juxtapose our convention to the Republican Convention, whew i like to call the chaos in cleveland, that will occur the week before. Our convention will display a vision for a brighter future. Theirs will be rhetoric that plays to the least admirable aspects of human nature, fear, selflessness, hatred and exclusion. It is our job to show why our party offers a better vision, as far as im concerned the only vision to move the American People forward. One that will continue to put our country on the path towards the future. Back in philadelphia, our team is in high gear. It takes a lot of work to put together a convention that looks good and feels good for our 6,000 delegates and alternates. And for the 20,000 or so friends we have in the media. We have 15 nouz hotel rooms and 95 hotels. 400 buses. 12,000 square feet of media work sprays and the list goes on. Weve been fortunate to have the input of governor, mayor, senators, members and congress and the local Philadelphia Community as weve set our plans. And we are expecting more than 500 dignitaries from around the world who will be part of the National DemocraticInstitutes Program this year. We know that the world is watching. And we are committed to building a convention that is reflective of america. And on july 25th that is exactly what you will see. So we look forward to your questions and to seeing you in philadelphia where we will make history again. Thank you. Its great to be here. And on behalf of the Host Committee, i was actually thinking about this when i walked into the building. Last time i was here was 21 years ago i was a sophomore in high school. So it is a real honor to be here. And before i make some remarks. I just want to thank mayor kenney for his leadership. The mayor when he was on city council was a huge pronate for the convention and the time with his team and his Leadership Team has been fantastic and it is going to be a huge success. But also to leah daughtry. And weve become fast friends other the last year and a half. And to say the dnc and the Host Committee has a glad working relationship i think would be an understatement. I think if you look over the past 18 months, many of the things weve been work on have been a huge success and were all focused on making shoo you are that the city is going to most a convention the democrats are proud of. And were going to be proud of the city so show ouch all the amenities we have to offer. Ive been on this project in some way, shape or form or three and a half years. And it is going to be a great opportunity for the city. In many ways you cant put a , price on the coverage that were going to get. And if you havent been the to philadelphia in the last five years you really havent been to philadelphia. If you walk the streets you can see the vibrancy. The young people moving in. The restaurants that we have. It is really in many ways second to none. And i think that is something that really excited to show up. You know in hindsight in the the mayor mentioned this. We hosted the holy father for the world meeting of families and that was something that the world meeting decided to come to philadelphia. But if you think about it, the convention is something the city had to decide to go after really hard because it was a competition. And i think it would have been very easy for the leadership in the Corporate Community and government to say were going too take a pas for the 2016 convention and maybe look to the future because we were coming off such a major event with the world meeting. But i think it is a real testament to the mayors leadership and Host Committees leadership to say were going take on this big event and big challenge on the heelts of a big event like the world bheeg and i think were rising to the chak and i think over the next four to five weeks people who come into the city are going to see a great city, and something were going to be very proud of. In two stories i have outside of all the things were going to show off about the city in terms of keeping people in and programmatic work but this is also an opportunity to work with some of our sponsors to make sure a they get to work on things they care about too. And one example is summer youth employment. Something mayor kenney champions on a regular basis. Governor mendel and i were in new york city raising money about a year and a half. And we sat down with executives from the j. P. Morgan and they said our Biggest Summer Program is summer youth employment. We know mayor kenneys priority is summer youth employment. So what if we teamed up to find a good vehicle for that . And we teamed up with j. P. Morgan and Philadelphia Youth Network about a year ago to find a hundred slots for philadelphia youth. Obviously what people see on tv is going to be fancy and the work leah and her team is doing is second to none but there are a lot going on on a dale basis that weve within trying to highlight and finally last in terms of a story. One of the things i think 2000 was an event called political fest. Everyone doesnt get a chance to go into the hall and see a lot of activities. We can bring the festivities to the general public. And weve weve seemed up with the Convention Center and friends at harved and cspan and bring the interactive Political Museum to philadelphia. So we can have middletons that want philadelphians get a taste of the experience. Those are things were excited about the ancillary benefits that in many ways you cant put a price on. But i just want to close to say that if you look at over the last 40 or 50 years theres only been two cities that have hosted both major conventions. New york and after the last week of july in 2016 will be philadelphia. So that is a pretty big accomplishment and it is something that i think we could use as spling board going forward. With that ill sit down so we can take some questions. Im going turn to it the questions. If you are listening online you questions estions to press. Org. And let me start off with a question of myself. We go do conventions what you may see on tv is not what crow see when were at the convention it. Looks like a fortress. How prepared are you for handling civil protests and also tamping down or stopping bp it starts any riots or protests that might turn violent . The r word is not something we use. We are prepared. We have a specific site for protests which is right across the street from the wells fargo center. The delegates will be able to see those folks. You have to remember a lot of this has to do with the the secret service and what they decide to do at the site because that is where the dignitaries they have to protect will be. So we have not had a final report from them as to what we need to do. But again in 2000 we had people in who were protesting in center city. Impromptu protests and some tossing of trash cans and planters and the like. You do your best to keep the piece peace. And we are prepared. We had done big event before. And we are not being restrictive to permits. We would like people to ask for permits because then we know where they are, what time they are going to be there so we can from pair to keep people safe. But we are ready and willing and able to have people exercise their First Amendment rights. What is the sense of a democracy if you cant say what you think and protest when you want to . Obvious wli the destruction of property or harming anyone is out of bounds. It is not part of your First Amendment rights but saying what you want to say as loud and as long as you want to say we are prepared to have people do that. I would just add that we are the Big Tent Party so we pride ourselves on diversity of opinion and welcoming a diversity of opinion at every convention ive worked on since 1992. There are always protesters and always people with signs. And ive been one of those. Em some off our delegates joined the rax of the protesters so it is not something that we are surprised at. It is something that we welcome as the mayor has said we believe in the First Amendment. And we try to make it easy for folks. We prepare an area for protesters. Our primary concern is that everyone is safe. Even the protesters are safe and able to exercise their rights in a way that everyone can meet their goals. We are looking forward to having folks who want to come and express an opinion. About whatever they want to express opinions about. Come on, join the party. Were happy to have you. And as the mayor has said we are most cob concerned that everyone is safe and everyone abides by the law and other than the it will be like any other Democratic Convention. Beyond the timing advantage you have over republicans because of the team called the cleveland cavaliers. Do you have any other advantages over the gop . I think one it always helps when the administration of the city and the planners of the city are of the same party. Because there is there is an interest beyond just the logistical. We also have an interest of making sure that our party puts the best foot forward. So that is one. Obviously i dont watch basketball but i watched this year because go cavs. And that meant they would have limited time to be in the arena. I think they got in yesterday. Ive been in since may 28th. And the other advantage we have is weve got a great team. I have done this before. Ive been the ceo before so i i bring a certain level of experience to. This i know where the bumps in the road and r and how to assemble the team we need in order to pull off what i strive to be a flawless convection, at least logistically. And so ive got a great advantage and we also have the biggest advantage of a them all, a great candidate who actually has something substantive to say to the American People about her platform and what she proposes to do if the American People trust her with her vote. So our Convention Goes beyond being Pure Entertainment and actually offers something substantive and weighty for the American People to consider as they are thinking a about their future. Thank you reverend. Now to the audience. Please identify yourself and your news outlet when asking a question and wait for the microphone if you would. Hi im Jennifer Wishon with cnn news. You dubbed the red Zone Convention chaos in cleveland. And i wonder as you are planning the Convention Schedule and nailing that down what your you know, how you are addressing ways to promote unity among democrats. I think you already see unity starting to happen. Ive worked on nine president ial cycles. Again i started when i was three. So when you get towards the end of a cycle everyones passions are running high. Everyone has invested time and energy their candidates and so nerves are frayed and it is getting to the end. I think we saw a lot of that. Once its been the democrats partys history that once the nominee is established and we though who that is going to be that we rally the troops and focus tend to come inside the tent. Of course there are always those who were not coming in the tent and they never wergoing to be in the tent. That is ok. They are welcome when they are ready to come in. I really believe this will follow the model that we have had and we have seen over the last many president ial cycles and that democrats will rally. Independent whose can go either way will weigh their options. See whats out there and make the best decision i think for themselves and for the country. I am not concerned about it. I think you will see that happening. The convention becomes the crown jewel of that moment. Where it is on display. The unity is on display but it is already happening. As you see folks rallying to the presumptive nominee. And you see the language changing and people, the reality setting in. The five stages of grief are fully in the process. And i think were going to be fine and we look forward to successful november. Thank you. One second, bob. Jonathan samari. John tamari from the philadelphia inquirer. The state open Records Office has said that fundraising the donors to the Host Committee should be made public. So far thats not happened. Why has the city resisted making those donors public. For the record that is the Host Committee decision. They will be made public. We have to file with the sec just like every other past convention. We have to file 60 days after the convention. We will file 60 days after the conviction with all of our donors and all of the accurate amounts. And that is the position weve taken and were going to file and make them public just like every other convention in the past 25 years. I have a quick question just a minute if you would. Coming from the npr affiliate whyy in philadelphia from tom mcdonald. I believe this is addressed to you, mr. Mayor. Congressman and three of his codefendants were convicted of racketeering and conspiracy today. Do you have a response reaction to that decision . Thank you tom. Obviously the jury has spoken. The criminal justice process went forward. It is my understanding that a congressman whos been convicted cannot vote. And i think the district there needs a voting member. And, you know, the jury has spoken. And there is nothing more that i can say. Other than the District Needs a voting member. Resign . The District Needs a voting member. I think that when the dust settles and obviously to happen today, you got to give the person a day or so to collect their thoughts and figure out what they want to do. And im, you know, not that person. But the District Needs a voting member. Thank you. We have a question. Bob. Pass the mic down. Hi thanks. Bob wehner. You have all and reverend daughtry mentioned the diversity the Democratic Party will have at the convention. The Republican Convention invariable shows the three hispanic, four African Americans and probably a muslim or two that will be in the audience and the media focuses on that. And they will probably have about that many speakers also. What are you going to do to counter spin of the rrpepublicans on their diversity versus what you claim is the true diversity of the Democratic Party. I dont think we have do much because we will have as many people in diversity as one delegation as they have on the entire floor. The picture is very clear when you see the Republican Convention on television that it is not a very Diverse Group of people. And juxtapose that with a picture of the Democratic Convention. And every kind of american is present. And part of that is our parties rules. We have a rule about equal division. Half of our delegates must be female. And so it is guaranteed. And that is what america is. And we have a process in place that require the state delegations to use their best efforts to ensure their delegates reflect the ders diversity of their state. So if you do that it becomes a very simple picture. And all you have got to do is put them upside by side. And you will and it becomes very clear which convention represents or looks like america. Beyond that our commitment to diversity is, you know, obviously what you see on the convention floor, which is the people who run for delegates who , pay their own money, who get elected. But beyond that we have a commitment to diversity both in front of the camera and behind the scenes. So of course our speakers will represent the broad diversity of our party in terms of race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity. All of that. But equally important is what happens behind the scenes for us. Whats running the camera . Whos housing the delegates . What the staff looks like. Anybody can put somebody in front of the camera. But who is in the back making it happen . Who are the workers and if you have a commitment to dweshs and diversity and you have diversity at every level on every part of your team in every sector of your vision. The comecome behind the scenes, you will see the same diversity behind the camera. Our staff is 56 female. And its what we actually live and believe on every level and every aspect of what we present. I probably shouldnt ask you your vp picks. This question came in online. This question is from the washington times. As for the mayor. That thedent are you city will be prepared for the convention terms of security. How many applications from protest groups have spent received . We will be very prepared. Im not sure the number to date. I can get it for you. S important that you people apply for a permit so we can maintain their safety and make sure the space is available. People have the right to express their news, but we are extremely prepared for this. We expect to be able to do it well in the future. I like to ask a followup. Ed rendell said in may the convention was 9. 5 million short on funding what does the fundraising look like now . Record, that means we willnd of the thing be in the hole. That is the case. The governor was talking about our finance numbers. We were 10 million away from the goal of there is no shortfall. About where we have to go like in a campaign or any bacon down the printed you have to raise money at the last minute. That is where we are at currently. Its a little under 10 million right now. We are in good shape. I want to ask the reverend a question. Puzzle. A very large problems you foresee or problems you have had so far in the planning and execution of organizing the convention it . The advantage of this my second time at bat is i knew where hiccups were likely. I was able to plan for that. We have had a very smooth run here. We have not had any significant problems. We have had a first rate relationship with our host the. A stellarade it experience. We are on time, on task, on budget we will probably be ready a little early for early enough to watch the republicans. Steam blow off a little before people come to philadelphia we are ready. Ive got a great team who has and this smooth sailing expecting any huge problems we are not prepared to deal with. We have a question about the conventions. F theyve had issues with hurricanes. If you have anything prepared it just in case . I like to think i have a line upstairs. Itm going to be relying on we are not expecting any hurricanes. Maybe a little heat. Everything is airconditioned, so we will be fine. Weve gotssion a question from the front row. [inaudible] i work with the press clubs online newsletter. Ive been reading reports that philadelphia has purchased an armored vehicle. List of rideng gear and various things that the republicans have purchased. The hotel rooms, all of the other things. Can you say anything about what youve done in terms of particular safety gear or potential trouble . Purchased nor will we. We like bicycles. Bicycles are very effective. Police on bikes interact with people better. Have a special detail we have always had. They have the ability to speak with people. They are not in uniform. The have armbands on to identify them. They can interact with people in a cordial way. We get two sets some ground rules in general. Bicycles of extremely effective at the other offense within doing. Our people are trained. We went through occupy. Rollcall, every single rollcall, each officer was read the First Amendment. They understood why they were out there and what their purpose was. Its to keep people safe. No matter what you think it is about what they are saying, they are to be safe. We have no interest in right here or military vehicles. Importantly here than any place else. There, thisre up is about election day. Your Transit Authority is set to 1977, 1981, in 1983. I understand the contract with the transport workers expires the weekend before the election. Do you have any concerns about a transit strike could happen election day when a democratic vote might be tamped down . Hurricanes, transit strikes. First of all, the relationship this administration and organized labor is strong. Its been a wonderful part of this convention process moves inside the building and outside help to raise money. Obviously, we had a huge legislative issue with this average tax which we passed. Our labor unions were very much with us helping us. Our municipal and service unions, we are proud of our labor force. Considering the environment were in now, i dont expect that to be the case. I dont expect to have those issues. Always do and doom and gloom. Been a public record. Why wait after . It doesnt do a lot of good. Why wait . When you look at past conventions, we were required to file 60 days after the convention. 60 days after the Convention Just like every convention in the past. Our friends in cleveland will do the same. Were in the middle of fundraising for a very big project. We will make our goal. We are hitting our goals. We have 30 days to close strong and we will file just like the fcc requires us to file. Itts where we are at everything is going to be transparent down to the dollar amount. You can look at where cleveland raised money and where philly raised money. Later, we will look at a huge success in philadelphia. Everyone will get an accurate where we are at. We feel comfortable with that. Thats what we are doing. We had another question over here . I had a question for the mayor. Youre going to be bringing in Police Officers from outside the city. Have you had any cooperation with the governor about new jersey troopers . When you talk about trading for this, if youre bringing in officers from other departments, a lot of them didnt know what they were doing it. Contingentabout the relative to the new jersey state police. The Pennsylvania State police imrked with us for not sure the number of troopers come in we know them. The secret service has a lot to say about what happens. Our relationship with federal , we had developed a great relationship with those agencies. We expect it to be seamless and flawless and look forward to the extra help and will be getting. There are no new jersey issues as far as i know. Add just wanted to something in terms of the coordination. In terms of the coordination, the started years ago when we were in the bid phase of this. We were going through site visits. Is things that gets lost when we were on the technical advisory committee, philadelphias track record of hosting the events is second to none. We demonstrate during the process. Thats something we took very seriously. Its something we dont talk about often. We share office space. We do on asomething daily basis. This has been a process over two years. I just want to make sure that was important. Going back to the audience. Please identify yourself. I am from the center for public and angry. Fundraising lt to do is just under 10 million. Can you clarify if the money that you are counting toward the all is pledges or cash . Is it in hand . Thats a good question. And a combination of cash commitments. We feel very confident with where we are. Mayoranted to ask the about something he said which is the organized labor has in helping with the fundraising for the event. Could you address the role they are playing and how they have been helping . Contributing to the event and have. I dont know the numbers. There are a number of unions both local and statewide that it contributed. They are typical democratic supporters. From what i understand, have contributed to the process. Im not that deeply involved. My job is to make sure the trains run on time. Naturally, labor unions do gravitate to the immigrant party. Maybe you can address what percentage of it they are . I wont get into percentages. I dont have that at my fingertips. When we put our hat in the name for this convention, organized labor has been on the forefront. The commitment to the work that arena, evene at the if you talk to our building trade friends who have been madestic, they had shirts that said republicans for week. In Labor Community philadelphia is the best in the country. We are very blessed to have their support. I think this will be the last question. Let me do a couple of quick announcements. Tomorrow we will have the labor secretary at noon. State andecretary of haveanadian attorney will prisoners ofsing conscious as it organs source in china. Maybe i can also say thank you to the chair of our Newsmakers Committee who does a great job of putting these together. I will go to my last question. The last question, which i hope each of you can answer for attendees and residents, what is the best advice you can give them. Comfortable shoes. Lots of water. Snacks in your bag. Stay home in philadelphia. Dont go to the jerseys or short or the mountains. Remember that the delegates work will be done mostly between 5 00 and 11 00 at night. All restaurants will have availability. Come out and utilize that space until the delegates get there. Enjoy the process. Enjoy the fact that you are living in the city that birthed democracy. This is a historic democratic happening. Be a part of it. Go to the political fast. It get your kids out and get them excited about being potential voters going forward. Have a good time. Be safe. Democrats have fun. Simply put, keep an open mind. Realize when you visit philly you are visiting the greatest American City in my opinion. Keep an open mind and enjoy all of the food that philadelphia has to offer. Thank you, we appreciate it. I wonder thank you all for being here. Im sure will have more questions as we get to the convention in philadelphia. Thank you. We appreciate it