2008 Republican National Convention

[Minneapolitan]

It has been announced that 31 cities have been invited to submit bids to explain why they would be the best choice for the 2008 Republican National Convention. Of the these 31, what cities do you think have the best chance of hosting the convention and what ones don't really stand a chance?

Anaheim, Calif.

Atlanta

Boston

Charlotte, N.C.

Chicago

Columbus, Ohio

Dallas

Denver

Detroit

Houston

Indianapolis

Los Angeles

Kansas City, Mo.

Memphis, Tenn.

Miami

Minneapolis

Nashville, Tenn.

New Orleans

New York

Orlando, Fla.

Philadelphia

Phoenix

Pittsburgh

Portland, Ore.

Sacramento, Calif.

San Antonio

San Diego

San Francisco

Seattle;

St. Louis, Mo.

Tampa

[cameronm]

Pretty hard choice

[monsoon]

Chicago has already bowed out. They are concentrating on getting the Olympics and don't need the distraction of a political convention.

[Michi]

I'd like to see it in my city again. It would give us another dateline to do more project. I know that sounds a little pathetic, but I'd be interested in seeing what kinds of progress we could make with another event following the Super Bowl. Detroit could use another little boost.

[hood]

I doubt Detroit would want it or get it, too libral. Don't they usually try to pick cities that are more conservative?

[*Sweetkisses*]

Philly had this convention in 2000 and New York in 2004. Those two are ruled out.

[Dozer]

I was living in Boston (South End) during the Democratic Convention and it was devastating to the city economically. The whole downtown was like a ghost town for a week. Highways were closed, people took the week off or telecommuted. Of course, I didn't mind - no waiting for a table on a weekend at the best restaurants and bars in town? Awesome!! Not having to fight for a parking spot when I came home from work (I worked in the burbs) - priceless. I remember going to one restaurant for lunch in the Back Bay (a rather sizable one at that), and my friend and I were all alone, yet the place was still fully-staffed in anticipation for the rush of delegates that never materialized. We had literally 5 or 6 servers for just the two of us. It was quite something!!

The city did finish a lot of nice capital projects in anticipation of the convention. However, I remember that, for "security reasons", they removed ALL the trash recepticals from downtown! The receptical holders were still there, so people just threw their trash in the holders, which were just some wire frames attached to the sidewalks. There were piles of garbage everywhere... very ridiculous.

Still, they city gained little if anything from it economically, and I think it is rather amusing that anyone would even consider Boston hosting another one.

-Bobby

[Scott]

Mitt Romney seems to be all for putting in a bid but Mayor Menino doesn't sound very enthusiastic.

[facilities man]

I see Tampa as a front runner. Florida is a huge state that has been decided by narrow margins the last two elections. The city of Orlando is dem., but the metro area is largely Rep.. The Tampa area is more blue collar and Dem.. With the importance of Florida, and the I-4 corridor, I could see it in either Central Florida city, and because of trying to sway more voters, I'd give the nod to Tampa. However, it may come down to venues for the convention, and with Orlando's massive convention center that may pull it there.

[Cotuit]

I hope New Orleans gets it. The protests and riots would be priceless.

I was living in Boston (South End) during the Democratic Convention and it was devastating to the city economically.

I think with the security needs presented by these conventions in the post-Sept. 11th world, it's really better if a smaller city takes on these things. It's very difficult to jam these security restrictions into large cities like Boston and New York.

Mitt Romney seems to be all for putting in a bid but Mayor Menino doesn't sound very enthusiastic.

Does Mitt Romney still live in Massachusetts?

[Miesian Corners]

I doubt Detroit would want it or get it, too libral. Don't they usually try to pick cities that are more conservative?

Neither party cares about the politics in the host cities. They care about security, hotel rooms, and the amount of strip clubs and liquor stores.

[Snowguy716]

I don't think it'd bode well in Minneapolis. Protests and riots are bad enough.. but the Minnesota cold shoulder? Come on, it can't be beat.

[Minneapolitan]

Minneapolis could definitely support this convention but, I think you're right about how people in the TC area would respond. Therefore, I wouldn't want our resources being wasted keeping people in check.

[BarGal]

I think they should choose New Orleans. They could really use the economic boost.

[sleepy]

I agree, I'd like to see New Orleans. The city hosted the 1988 republican convention and things went smoothly. The city certainly has the infrastructure--40,000 downtown hotel rooms, the Superdome, and a humongous convention center--all within walking distance.

As far as parties choosing a city based on its politics--the GOP was in NYC last go around, so as others have said, I don't think it means much. Heck, back in 1964, the republicans nominated Barry Goldwater at their convention in . . . . San Francisco.

[Gusterfell]

I agree, I'd like to see New Orleans. The city hosted the 1988 republican convention and things went smoothly. The city certainly has the infrastructure--40,000 downtown hotel rooms, the Superdome, and a humongous convention center--all within walking distance.

I doubt that the Republicans want to be associated in any way with the Superdome or the New Orleans convention center, considering what happened at both venues on their watch.

[nashscan]

I doubt that the Republicans want to be associated in any way with the Superdome or the New Orleans convention center, considering what happened at both venues on their watch.

Easy...

[facilities man]

I doubt that the Republicans want to be associated in any way with the Superdome or the New Orleans convention center, considering what happened at both venues on their watch.

I thought the mayor was a Democrat???

[rbdetsport]

I would think the Republican Convention would want to come to Detroit to get more supporters. I think Detroit will bid on the Republican and the Democratic Convention. Whether they get one or not, I don't know. I think Detroit will get one. Michi is right, it will give Detroit another deadline to get the Book Cadillac Hotel and all of the Permanent Casinos done.

[Richhamleigh, DC]

I thought the mayor was a Democrat???

Ray Nagin was a Republican who switched parties to run for mayor.

[facilities man]

Ray Nagin was a Republican who switched parties to run for mayor.

Sounds like he couldn't make a decision about that either then.

[Snowguy716]

My case against the RNC convention being in Minneapolis:

Minneapolis does not have a large amount of good hotel rooms downtown to hold this many people. It could probably do it, but it wouldn't be perfect.

There is no hotel at the convention center.

Also, it is clear that most of the people in the Twin Cities metro that support the RNC and would attend the convention would be commuting in from the suburbs, yet the city would have to foot most of the bill.

While the city would undoubtedly get a financial boost from the extra spending, I just don't think Minneapolis is the right city for the RNC. Because of the "split" down the middle, maybe the conventions need to be held in cities that share their political values just for the fact that there will likely be heightened protests, etc. in 2008 because of the strong emotions of the last 5 years.

The DNC has also put Minneapolis as a possible place. Now, I don't think the protests would be strong at all at a DNC convention in Minneapoils, but does the city have the infrastructure? I think it would be hard to pull off such a huge event. (Though Minneapolis has hosted large events in the past).

[TennBear]

For no other reason than it will be GW's last hurray, I would say that one of the three Texas venues would be near the top of the list. Maybe Miami, if the Republicans think that it will be another Bush Coronation.

[cinco]

I doubt that the Republicans want to be associated in any way with the Superdome or the New Orleans convention center, considering what happened at both venues on their watch.

couldn't agree more. unfortunently "stepping up to the plate" doesn't make good poltical sense... therein lies the problem.

i think they should hold their pow wow in riyadh, saudi arabia... alot of bedfellows down there.

easy...

[mcheiss]

I myself am not seeing Los Angeles or San Francisco as good contendors for this. California is pridominately Liberal, so I would immediately rule these two out.