Clintobama: What Does Primary Mean for City's Bottom Line?

At this very instance, somewhere in the United States -- and somewhere on the earth -- those words of the famous polka are sweet music not only to a political stand-up TV commentator or radio announcer, but to small and large businesspersons throughout this Commonwealth.

Television crews, sound-men and women are humming that tune, as they begin to cover what could be the make-or-break election of the 2008 Democratic Party presidential nomination fight on Tuesday, April 22. The political eyes of the nation are on Pennsylvania.

Just as "The Pennsylvania Polka" gets the adrenaline flowing, the gush of cash pouring into the state could do the same as it may exceed $50 million during the life of this primary campaign, according to Mickey Rowley, deputy secretary for tourism at the Department of Commerce and Economic Development of Pennsylvania.

An electoral "money pit" is the way commentator/conservative radio talker Rick Moran put it, not to mention a media circus. Forget Wyoming and Mississippi. The "Battle of Gettysburg" of the Democratic Party is Pennsylvania, according to Moran.

The free publicity alone for the mention of the word "Pennsylvania" on national television, where advertisements cost thousands and thousands of dollars per minute; the write-ups in domestic and foreign press; the TV coverage of speeches of the candidates reach a world population. That type of promotion is priceless for bringing tourism to the state, a money-maker indeed.

Most of the time, the writing and announcing put a positive buzz on the state, though once in a while you get an "errant" journalist or commentator.

Hotels, restaurants, advertisements in the local media, media buys can bring in up to $80,000 per campaign per night. Add in the costs that the campaigns will pay state public relations and advertising firms; TV-production experts; telemarketers heading the phone banks; direct mail and printing; airlines, bus companies, taxis and messenger services; food (and, ah, those doughnuts and coffee); copying; phone calls; car-rental agencies; dry-cleaners -- well, a lot of people should make money in Pennsylvania, now the center of the nation.

What's the Buzz?
Here in Philadelphia, there is certainly a positive buzz in the hotel and restaurant industry. Jim Haney, general manager of the Palm at the Park Hyatt at the Bellevue in Center City, says his staff "is ready for the infusion."

Already, his sales people have met with the governor's people to prepare for the campaign onslaught.

And the Bellevue is sold out, though they still get calls from media and campaign staffers, according to Molly O'Shea, marketing and public-relations manager.

Bob Sullivan, director of sales and marketing at the Ritz-Carlton Philadelphia, has had inquiries for small group blocks of rooms for the date of the Democratic debate on Wednesday, April 16.

"Definitely a bump in activity in Philadelphia," said Sullivan, noting that "the state primary is going to be won or lost in Philadelphia." He explained that in general, hotels do well because, obviously, the campaigns need guest rooms and the press follows.

The Ritz-Carlton is also planning to offer drinks named for each of the candidates, as well as their favorite dishes.

Even though the state focus is on the Democratic primary, the Republicans are in town, too. The Rittenhouse Hotel, just off the Square, was the scene recently of a fundraiser for Sen. John McCain, the probable Republican presidential candidate.

And David G. Benton, vice president and general manager of the Rittenhouse, expects the next wave of arrivals to be media, not just from the U.S. but from overseas. Already, he has had inquiries from his home city of London.

The publicity for Pennsylvania and Philadelphia "will do nothing but good for all of us," he declared.

He also found it exciting that so many people in the city were "actively engaged" in the political process.

At the beginning of this month, kosher restaurants, too, were awaiting the rush. Suzanne the cook at Maccabeam said that the establishment was waiting "hopefully" for the increase. Haviv David, manager at Mama's, noticed "more people in the city," adding "there's always more business when more people come to Philadelphia."

The multiple effects of all this publicity is sure to bring even more business to Pennsylvania after the election. The state economically is in better shape to appeal to industry to settle here, than, for example, Ohio. As Rowley pointed out, the state unemployment level is lower than the national average. Also, it has been mentioned in a number of articles that Pennsylvania has a well-educated work force.

Rowley figures that when the campaign comes to a Pennsylvania city, that means 40 rooms are rented for two days and housekeepers, for instance, get extra work, putting money into people's pockets.

With the weak dollar and more foreign tourists coming to America, Pennsylvania seeks to bring in those foreign travelers.

"We are enticing sectors from European press to come to Pennsylvania," said Rowley, who added that when his department saw the possibility of this state being in the political forefront, it began planning and preparing brochures on facts about Pennsylvania.