Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken, backed by former Sen. Mark Dayton, have sent a letter to members of the Democratic National Committee, pushing the bid by Minneapolis to host the 2012 party's national convention.

The city's competing with Cleveland, St. Louis and Charlotte for President Obama's big re-election bash.

Although St. Paul snagged the Republicans' convention in 2008, Minneapolis is widely regarded as a long shot.

Here's the letter: