Democrats decided to hold their 2008 national convention in Denver, a choice that could help position the party to make gains with Hispanic and Western voters who are critical to the party’s future.

It’s a surprisingly astute move. Remember that in 2004 Republicans held their convention in New York City in order to drape the party in the memory of Sept. 11. Democrats went to uber-Democratic Boston.

This time Denver won out over New York, which is home to Sen. Hilary Clinton. New York’s benefits include media exposure and plenty of experience holding massive events. But potentially disastrous downsides include its overwhelmingly Democratic politics and deference to often-outmoded organized labor. Holding the event in New York would have gained Democrats nothing.

By contrast, Denver is the booming heart of the Rocky Mountains, where Democrats have made gains by addressing economic issues and new residents. National political conventions may be less important every four years, but the event is guaranteed to generate attention in the West and expose Democrats from around the country to some new issues. The region is already clearly in the sights of Republicans, who are holding their convention in Minneapolis.