300 replies to this topic

[norm21499]

caterpillar2, on 17 April 2010 - 09:06 AM, said:

I hope neither come. If one ever does, I hope it will be the Republicans even though I am not one. The Democrats would tear up the city and bring lots of undesirable trash that we don't need. I am all for keeping Charlotte a thriving business city with excellent cultural venues.  The Republicans would bring a more sophisticated, conservative, cleaner, more intelligent crowd. That is usually the best option. Of course this is my opinion as an independent and most everyone on this message board will disagree with me, but that is their right.

We are each entitled to our opinions. We should just be careful for how we word our opinions to others. "undesireable trash" is rather.....harsh.

[Charlotteman]

caterpillar2, on 17 April 2010 - 09:06 AM, said:

.....

The Democrats would tear up the city and bring lots of undesirable trash that we don't need......

The Republicans would bring a more sophisticated, conservative, cleaner, more intelligent crowd....

What sort of Democratic "trash" are you referring to?  Did you never hear about the GOP's recent night out at the lesbian S & M club?  

No offense but that must be one of the most peculiar posts I've read in a while.

[InitialD]

norm21499, on 17 April 2010 - 04:53 PM, said:

We are each entitled to our opinions. We should just be careful for how we word our opinions to others. "undesireable trash" is rather.....harsh.

I'm pretty sure it must have been a tongue-in-cheek joke. We do have the NRA national convention in Charlotte this spring, that practically counts as hosting the Republican National convention, right?  

[Urbanity]

caterpillar2, on 17 April 2010 - 09:06 AM, said:

I hope neither come. If one ever does, I hope it will be the Republicans even though I am not one. The Democrats would tear up the city and bring lots of undesirable trash that we don't need. I am all for keeping Charlotte a thriving business city with excellent cultural venues.  The Republicans would bring a more sophisticated, conservative, cleaner, more intelligent crowd. That is usually the best option. Of course this is my opinion as an independent and most everyone on this message board will disagree with me, but that is their right.

Political baiting aside I think you are off your rocker.  Charlotte needs to actively pursue things like the DNC 2012.  It would aid in in our exposure, national reputation and, let's not forget, tourism dollars.

[caterpillar2]

norm21499, on 17 April 2010 - 04:53 PM, said:

We are each entitled to our opinions. We should just be careful for how we word our opinions to others. "undesireable trash" is rather.....harsh.

I tried to erase my posting after writing it, but it was too late. When I refered to "undesireable trash" I was thinking about the leftwing radicals that unfortunately connect to the dems.  in most cases.  Radical outsiders  have the potential to disrupt political conventions with potential costly riots, etc.  Charlotte being a rather conservative city has the potential to host such negative reactions which are not in concert with the purpose of political conventions. I would rather see Charlotte focus on big conventions, sports, culture,  and hosting international commerce. I didn't mean to bait the thread and I sincerely apologize for my poorly worded, unexplained previous comment. I am an independent and didn't mean any disrespect towards the idealogies of either political party. I think they are both equally bad. Again, my apologies.

[nonillogical]

^ i wasn't going to touch this with a 10 foot pole BUT...

A. If we got the Democratic Convention in Charlotte, don't you think it would be the right-wing radicals disrupting things if anyone did? I don't think there would be any major issues either way...when's the last time you heard of a "costly riot" being started by either group, but especially at THEIR party's convention? We'd see some protesting in either case, and nothing more I am certain. Given their track records, which protesters do you think would be the most tasteless and aggressive?

B. I don't understand the branding of Charlotte as a conservative city any longer considering how we all know the election swung...I would argue that we are a firmly moderate city today.

[The Escapists]

^^ Did you mean anti-government, anarchist groups ala World Bank/IMF protests in Pacific Northwest etc...trashing Starbucks in masks etc?
If so, that's more of a social outcry, rather than a targeting of a specific political party. And that could happen anytime.

[caterpillar2]

nonillogical, on 18 April 2010 - 09:50 AM, said:

^ i wasn't going to touch this with a 10 foot pole BUT...

A. If we got the Democratic Convention in Charlotte, don't you think it would be the right-wing radicals disrupting things if anyone did? I don't think there would be any major issues either way...when's the last time you heard of a "costly riot" being started by either group, but especially at THEIR party's convention? We'd see some protesting in either case, and nothing more I am certain. Given their track records, which protesters do you think would be the most tasteless and aggressive?

B. I don't understand the branding of Charlotte as a conservative city any longer considering how we all know the election swung...I would argue that we are a firmly moderate city today.

Moderate is a good choice. I don't really think that a  problem causing group would be directly linked to either party. It would be a group with their own agenda and likely not attached directly to either dems or reps.  Again, sorry for my posting before.  To be honest, most of the branding of Charlotte as being a conservative city has been from northerners many of whom live elsewhere.

[Urbanity]

To return this to topic, I don't think Charlotte is even going to get a chance to find out about what kind of impact (image, economic or otherwise) the DNC 2012 will have if they don't put a little more publicity into their efforts.

As I pointed out St. Louis went from not even being a listed publicly interested city to launching a full campaign with website within a week while Charlotte has been talking about it for months and yet I see no website or overt efforts to promote this city's bid.

If there is one key thing that I think Charlotte is good at it is their belief and efforts at marketing the city - now is not the time to take it slow and steady.

Seriously - all politics aside (I would love an RNC convention as well to be frank but there is no bid for that this time) I think hosting a political convention is the next logical big event step for this city to earn its national reputation as more than just a business town.  A successful convention host by Charlotte would open a lot more doors to the city for other types of events down the road as well as increase the focus on us for major retailers.

I may have my own leaning for political party but in this case I don't care about the Blue or the Red... just the green.  

Go Charlotte.

[krazeeboi]

caterpillar2, on 18 April 2010 - 08:46 AM, said:

I tried to erase my posting after writing it, but it was too late. When I refered to "undesireable trash" I was thinking about the leftwing radicals that unfortunately connect to the dems.  in most cases.  Radical outsiders  have the potential to disrupt political conventions with potential costly riots, etc.  Charlotte being a rather conservative city has the potential to host such negative reactions which are not in concert with the purpose of political conventions. I would rather see Charlotte focus on big conventions, sports, culture,  and hosting international commerce. I didn't mean to bait the thread and I sincerely apologize for my poorly worded, unexplained previous comment. I am an independent and didn't mean any disrespect towards the idealogies of either political party. I think they are both equally bad. Again, my apologies.

You have a history of doing this in other non-political threads, so let this be your last so-called mishap.

[jednc]

Urbanity, on 18 April 2010 - 03:58 PM, said:

I may have my own leaning for political party but in this case I don't care about the Blue or the Red... just the green.  

Go Charlotte.

Couldn't agree more. I think one of these conventions would do wonders for the city. I'd be happy to land either one, regardless of red or blue.

[Forrest]

Tampa is the winner of the Republican Convention in 12. According to The New York Times Charlotte,Philadelphia,St.Louis and unnamed "others" are having their applications reviewed by the Dems. So some entity must have applied for us. Oh and the NYT still thinks we can't stand on our own. We were the only city in the story that had it's state initials next to it

[caterpillar2]

krazeeboi, on 18 April 2010 - 09:15 PM, said:

You have a history of doing this in other non-political threads, so let this be your last so-called mishap.

I apologized. Please try to get over it.

[krazeeboi]

caterpillar2, on 14 May 2010 - 01:40 PM, said:

I apologized. Please try to get over it.

As a moderator, my job isn't to "get over it;" it's to make sure this same foolishness isn't repeated here or elsewhere. I'm making it clear that this sort of baiting won't be tolerated in this thread or any other non-political thread, explicit apologies notwithstanding. Now that that's settled, let's move on.

[Urbanity]

So here we are with Tampa the chosen GOP2012 host city and I'm left evaluating what Charlotte's chances are for the DNC2012.

In my mind of the four known candidate cites, I see this as a battle of two.  

Phoenix is simply out of the running for the DNC bid due the to the Arizona immigration law.  There are already calls from the California and Colorado DNC party networks to boycott the convention if it goes there - so it ain't going there.  Philadelphia I believe is an extremely long shot due to both finances (city leaders have admitted that it may not be able to raise the funds) and the lack of drama or change holding it in Philadelphia, which is a  Democrat stronghold in a Northeast city.

So that leaves two:  Charlotte and St. Louis.  I already stated earlier in this thread that my gut was that if the GOP went with Tampa that Charlotte would be unlikely to be chosen as I can't envision two Southern Conventions, but that said, I think a few things have changed in our favor recently and I'm changing my odds to 60-40 in St. Louis Favor.

Below are Charlotte's pros and cons (in my mind)

Pros:

• Southern state that went blue in '08 and is more purple than anything offers Democrats a chance to repeat a 2008 Colorado type feeling
• Charlotte is becoming very popular in conservative eyes lately with everyone from Laura Bush, Sarah Palin, Karl Rove being here - I think the new battle for the South is something the current Admin would like to happen (portray) and Charlotte is as good a place as any in the South to do so.
• The recent successful NRA convention during the same week as the NASCAR HOF opening and the Ultra Swim meet with Phelps and international media (all of which went off very well) shows CLT is ready for the big stage.
• The HOF itself just increased our overall value not only in the amount of space it adds to the convention center but in the imagery it offers Democrats looking to reconnect with the perception of the common guy (I can certainly see the photo ops).
• Charlotte has a good rep for being a serious mass transit minded city (for right or wrong) which should not be underestimated in the current administrations transit aspirations
• Similarly our areas push to be an Energy Capital City is something the White House and Democrats could seriously use in promotions.
• Bank of America would make a nice repeat of Invesco Field

Cons:

• St. Louis frankly is thought to be the front runner
• Charlotte is not a union strong city, nor is NC unlike St. Louis and MO this is an issue for the DNC
• St. Louis simply is more developed downtown and an easier staging platform with the close proximity of landmarks, convention sites and major hotels.  Charlotte has come a long way indeed but St. Louis has an advantage here
• While I believe the rewards could be greater with a successful Charlotte convention, so are the risks and the whole thing could go pretty bad.  I believe that Obama and the DNC need to reinvigorate their base right now and St. Louis offers a safer (yet no Philadelphia safe) venue for doing that.
• As I already mentioned the GOP will be in the South for Tampa - not certain two Southern Conventions would be doable (politically, captivating for non-Southerners or media)

Just my (ongoing) thoughts on this...

[caterpillar2]

Urbanity, on 17 May 2010 - 07:02 PM, said:

So here we are with Tampa the chosen GOP2012 host city and I'm left evaluating what Charlotte's chances are for the DNC2012.

In my mind of the four known candidate cites, I see this as a battle of two.  

Phoenix is simply out of the running for the DNC bid due the to the Arizona immigration law.  There are already calls from the California and Colorado DNC party networks to boycott the convention if it goes there - so it ain't going there.  Philadelphia I believe is an extremely long shot due to both finances (city leaders have admitted that it may not be able to raise the funds) and the lack of drama or change holding it in Philadelphia, which is a  Democrat stronghold in a Northeast city.

So that leaves two:  Charlotte and St. Louis.  I already stated earlier in this thread that my gut was that if the GOP went with Tampa that Charlotte would be unlikely to be chosen as I can't envision two Southern Conventions, but that said, I think a few things have changed in our favor recently and I'm changing my odds to 60-40 in St. Louis Favor.

Below are Charlotte's pros and cons (in my mind)

Pros:

• Southern state that went blue in '08 and is more purple than anything offers Democrats a chance to repeat a 2008 Colorado type feeling
• Charlotte is becoming very popular in conservative eyes lately with everyone from Laura Bush, Sarah Palin, Karl Rove being here - I think the new battle for the South is something the current Admin would like to happen (portray) and Charlotte is as good a place as any in the South to do so.
• The recent successful NRA convention during the same week as the NASCAR HOF opening and the Ultra Swim meet with Phelps and international media (all of which went off very well) shows CLT is ready for the big stage.
• The HOF itself just increased our overall value not only in the amount of space it adds to the convention center but in the imagery it offers Democrats looking to reconnect with the perception of the common guy (I can certainly see the photo ops).
• Charlotte has a good rep for being a serious mass transit minded city (for right or wrong) which should not be underestimated in the current administrations transit aspirations
• Similarly our areas push to be an Energy Capital City is something the White House and Democrats could seriously use in promotions.
• Bank of America would make a nice repeat of Invesco Field

Cons:

• St. Louis frankly is thought to be the front runner
• Charlotte is not a union strong city, nor is NC unlike St. Louis and MO this is an issue for the DNC
• St. Louis simply is more developed downtown and an easier staging platform with the close proximity of landmarks, convention sites and major hotels.  Charlotte has come a long way indeed but St. Louis has an advantage here
• While I believe the rewards could be greater with a successful Charlotte convention, so are the risks and the whole thing could go pretty bad.  I believe that Obama and the DNC need to reinvigorate their base right now and St. Louis offers a safer (yet no Philadelphia safe) venue for doing that.
• As I already mentioned the GOP will be in the South for Tampa - not certain two Southern Conventions would be doable (politically, captivating for non-Southerners or media)

Just my (ongoing) thoughts on this...

Very good points.  Nicely put together.

[RiverwoodCLT]

We will find out this fall if Charlotte is ready for the big times for Political Conventions.  We may have a big surprise.

[mallguy]

Obama's approval ratings in NC are very low.  2008 was a one-time surprise; NC is reverting to going red in 2012, and the DNC realizes that. (Remember, Ronald Reagan carried NY in 1984 (Edited to correct date); George H.W. Bush carried almost everywhere in 1988; that doesn't mean it'll happen again, for the Democrats as well.)

Edited by mallguy, 20 May 2010 - 06:44 AM.

[Minneapolitan]

Minneapolis has now entered a bid for the 2012 DNC.  The city's bid lists the Target Center, the Metrodome, the new TCF Bank Stadium and the Minneapolis Convention Center as potential sites.  I'm not sure why the new Target Field isn't listed as a site as I'm sure MLB would be willing to work around the events.  The city's convention and visitors bureau has also secured commitments from local hotels for more than 15,000 rooms during the convention.

[Urbanity]

Minneapolitan, on 24 May 2010 - 09:25 AM, said:

Minneapolis has now entered a bid for the 2012 DNC.  The city's bid lists the Target Center, the Metrodome, the new TCF Bank Stadium and the Minneapolis Convention Center as potential sites.  I'm not sure why the new Target Field isn't listed as a site as I'm sure MLB would be willing to work around the events.  The city's convention and visitors bureau has also secured commitments from local hotels for more than 15,000 rooms during the convention.

^^^   I hadn't heard about the Minneapolis bid.  I would be honestly surprised if the city got back-to-back conventions, but I wish good luck to you guys (though not great luck for obvious selfish reasons!)

I think the Target Field isn't listed primarily though because of baseball.  You have to remember that the Convention logistics and security people have full use of the location for several weeks prior to the actual convention dates so I can't imagine rearranging the Twins schedule that much in order to use the stadium.