Democrats are expecting a decision soon on where their party will meet next year for its national convention.
Will it be Charlotte, St. Louis, Minneapolis or Cleveland? Those are the four finalists that were chosen last year by the Democratic National Committee.
Earlier this week, Sen. Claire McCaskill of Missouri expressed concern that President Obama's desire to do well in the South might mean Charlotte will get the nod. She also noted there isn't much buzz out there coming from people who are in the know.
Obama won North Carolina in 2008 and Charlotte, the nation's second-largest banking center, is considered a good example of the New South.
But a story in today's Charlotte Business Journal notes Charlotte has some issues that might give Democrats some pause, including a lack of union workers, schools closing in minority neighborhoods and a county commissioner who has come under fire for anti-gay comments.
Meanwhile, Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx also isn't getting any kind of vibe from Obama or Democratic Party pooh-bahs. But he told a TV interviewer that he's willing to shoot some hoops with Obama if it would make a difference.
"I'm very optimistic," Foxx said on the PBS NewsHour after he visited the White House on Thursday with other mayors to talk about the economy with Obama.
"I did bring my basketball shorts to see if that would help," Foxx said.
By Catalina Camia, USA TODAY
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