Democratic Party Asks Chicago To Bid For 2016 Convention

CHICAGO (CBS) -- Democratic Party leaders have asked Chicago and 14 other cities – including Detroit and Indianapolis – to submit bids to host the 2016 Democratic National Convention.

Democratic National Committee Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz sent a letter to 15 cities asking them to submit proposals to host the convention in two years.

"This quadrennial convention is not just the place where we will nominate the leaders of our Party and our country, but it is also an opportunity to provide our Host City with a chance to showcase its community on a world stage," she wrote.

The letter was sent to officials in Chicago, Detroit, Indianapolis, Atlanta, Cleveland, Columbus, Las Vegas, Miami, Nashville, New York, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pittsburgh and Salt Lake City.

Sarah Hamilton, spokeswoman for Mayor Rahm Emanuel, said "We will evaluate the opportunity this could provide and proceed accordingly."

President Obama could very well determine who gets the convention.

"In a year where you have the president in you party, that means the sole chooser is the president," said Howard Dean, former DNC Chairman. "It is not an open slam dunk because the host city has to put up some money, it costs a lot of money in terms of police time and things like that, but I think if Chicago wants to make a bid they have a good chance of getting it."

The city last hosted the DNC in 1996, helping to restore the city's image on the national stage following the protests and riots that plagued the 1968 convention. Chicago also hosted the DNC in 1864, 1884, 1892, 1896, 1932, 1940, 1944, 1952, and 1956.

The city also has hosted the Republican National Convention 14 times, in 1860, 1868, 1880, 1884. 1888, 1904, 1908, 1912, 1916, 1920, 1932, 1944, 1952, and 1960.