St. Paul Chosen for 2008 GOP Convention

[mikeschmike]

Twin Cities site of 2008 GOP convention, sources say

Rob Hotakainen and Kevin Diaz, Star Tribune
Xcel Energy Center

JIM MONE, Associated Press

WASHINGTON --- Minnesota's emergence as a presidential battleground state paid off today when the Republican Party announced that it had chosen Minneapolis and St. Paul to host its 2008 National Convention.
The Twin Cities beat three other finalists: New York, Cleveland and Tampa. It will be the first time the Twin Cities has hosted a national convention since 1892, when Republicans nominated Benjamin Harrison for president.

Ken Mehlman, chairman of the Republican National Committee, made the official announcement at 3 p.m., along with Gov. Tim Pawlenty, Republican Sen. Norm Coleman, Minneapolis Mayor R. T. Rybak and St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman

The convention is scheduled for Sept. 1-4, 2008, at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, a week after Democrats nominate their candidate. The Twin Cities had also been competing against New York and Denver to host the Democratic convention.

"We want to congratulate the Twin Cities. ... We are looking forward to working with Denver and New York as we make our final decision," said Stacie Paxton, a spokeswoman for the Democratic National Committee.

Analysts said the GOP's choice will allow the party to capitalize on major media markets in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa, three states that figured prominently in the 2004 election.


"The Midwest has become strategic ground," said David Schultz, who teachers politics at the Hamline University in St. Paul. "Bring the convention here, get the faithful excited, and spotlight that you care about the Midwest and farmers."


Schultz said it's also a "symbolic black eye" to Minnesota Democrats trying to keep alive the spirit of Hubert Humphrey and Paul Wellstone.


"It's a purple state now, and Republicans increasingly view this as a winnable state," he said.


A national GOP convention in the Twin Cities could also boost the reelection campaign of Republican Sen. Norm Coleman, who might face a serious challenge in 2008 from comedian and radio talk show host Al Franken.


Civic boosters say landing a national political convention could bring 20,000 people and $150 million to the Twin Cities metro area.


If you believe the latest polls, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani will have the best shot at winning the Republican presidential nomination in Minnesota. But he'll have plenty of competition, mainly from Arizona Sen. John McCain, who's running second in most polls.


And with President Bush leaving office, there's a big field of potential presidential wannabes chasing the frontrunners: former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, Virginia Gov. George Allen, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist of Tennessee, Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, New York Gov. George Pataki , Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback, Nebraska Sen. Chuck Hagel, Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and Colorado Rep. Tom Tancredo.


If recent history is any indication, the 2008 convention will be a dull and carefully orchestrated affair, with little suspense, which is the main reason network television executives are losing interest in providing wall-to-wall coverage. Then again, this one might be different: For the first time since 1928, neither the incumbent president nor vice president will be running --- unless Vice President Cheney pulls a very big surprise and decides to join the fray.

This is really terrible news to me. I don't want those idiots in my town. Oh well, I suppose it will be good business for the hookers and drug dealers.