Banners hung to hype Democratic debate

Banners on Main Street show how Greenville is gearing up for the Democratic debate e-mail this story

By Saturday, city crews began putting up 90 banners that will serve as iconic reminders that the high profile debate is set for the Peace Center for the Performing Arts four weeks from now.

Marion Shelton, an asphalt worker from Atlanta, spotted the banners hanging along Main Street a few hours after they had been hung Saturday.

Shelton, 34, a Bush supporter, said the debate should give restaurants and businesses a post-holiday lift when things slow down.

"It's going to bring in a lot of business," he said. "It's been kind of slack around here."

Joey Borgesano, 20, and his friend, Lorie Crocker, 17, said they liked the potential impact on the Upstate.

"It will be cool," said Borgesano, who lives in Hartwell, Ga.

Crocker, who turns 18 on Sept. 30, said it will be a draw.

"No one ever comes to the South," she said. "This could bring a lot of big things to the south."

Stephen Allen, 42, of Greenville, said "it will be a good thing for Greenville."

But it's not likely to loosen "tight-wad" attitudes.

"I don't see it will do any good," Allen said.

The banners are being put on poles in Greenville's downtown business district, including Main Street, according to Allen Ramey, one of four city of Greenville workers doing the job. He said crews started putting up banners — white with the American and South Carolina flags — over the weekend.

The banners announce draws attention to Democratic candidates' debate here later this month. Anchor Tom Brokaw will moderate.

Doug Dent, a debate spokesman, said the banners simply foreshadow all the hoopla that officials plan to announce in the next few days. He estimated 350 reporters will join an expected 10,000 to 20,000 people in town for two days for the event.

"It's probably going to be the biggest media event this city has ever seen," he said. "We're going to turn Greenville into one big Democratic party."

The banners will be put on the same poles on East Broad, McBee, Academy, Church, East North and Beattie Place that motorists zoom by daily. These are the same locations where event planners have reminded passersby of major events such as: Fall for Greenville, which is a festival, and the Phantom of the Opera.

The banners highlight the Youth Democrats of South Carolina and Furman University.

Dent said that the Democratic Party is picking up the tab for printing the banners and paying the city of Greenville for putting them up.

"They pay for the banners," spokeswoman Candace Sommer said. "And they pay for them to be put up. So, it's not a city expense."

Dent said he didn't know the cost for the banners and their installation.

E. Richard Walton can be reached at 298-4317.