It's not too often that politicians wine and dine other politicians and then brag about it in press releases and television appearances.

But in the quest to land a national political convention, the rules of campaign propriety are routinely sacrificed.

The city of Boston is considered a top candidate to land the 2000 Democratic National Convention, an event that brings prestige and money to its host city.

The Hub has stiff competition, and has the large negative of being of a solidly Democratic state and won't be one of the party's major concerns in 2000.

But the city is confident that in the end, its place in the nation's history will land it the second millennium's first national political convention.

Among the area's other top selling points? Fair Harvard and its modern dormitories.

The Cambridge campus is close to the city, and only about 55 minutes by foot of the Fleet Center, where the Convention would actually take place.

Rooms are wired for data so delegates can use e-mail and send faxes.

And with vigilant guards, Harvard rooms are secured better than many hotels.

During the summer, enough larger suites are open to satisfy the needs of delegates accustomed to more opulent accommodations than the usual Harvard digs.

Jacque Goddard, an aide to Boston mayor Thomas M. Menino, says the city has "informally" discussed housing delegates at Harvard, but says that no official contact with the Harvard administration has yet been made.

Still, numerous published reports reveal that city officials name-dropped the big "H" many times during their chance to play hosts for the site selection committee the week of June 21.

During the visit, the Democratic Party glitterati spent their mornings bargain-hunting at the downtown Filene's Basement. In the evenings they retreated to more refined establishments where they munchedon choice lobster.

A press release from the Mayor's officerevealed Menino's naked politicking: "A farewellbreakfast was held at the Cyclorama on TremontStreet in the South End. Some members areparticipating in a golf outing this afternoon at[The Country Club] in Brookline where the RyderCup will be played next year."

Conventional wisdom has it that the siteselection committee will choose the area the mostpolitically advantageous, and Los Angeles seems tohave the edge.

The most populous city in the most electorallyrich state in the union has undergone arenaissance in the past several years and now bothsafer and cleaner.