Posted on 07/08/2014 9:07:07 AM PDT by chrisser
CLEVELAND, Ohio – Capping off a months-long lobbying effort, Cleveland will be the host of the 2016 Republican National Convention.
Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus announced Cleveland as the location on the Fox News Channel in a live, on-air interview. The interview was immediately preceded by a tweet, which has since been deleted, from a spokesman for the Republican Governors Association.
"We're excited about bringing the convention to Cleveland in Ohio, and we're excited about the decision. We think it's a smart decision," Priebus said.
Cleveland edged out Dallas, the other finalist, as the recommended location for the convention, giving the city an opportunity to strut its stuff to a national crowd while placing Ohio even more firmly in the political spotlight for the upcoming presidential election.
"I think it's great," said Rob Frost, the Cuyahoga County Republican Party Chairman. "I'm really excited to welcome our Republican colleagues from around the nation to Cleveland in 2016. I think this convention will really elevate Cleveland in the eyes of the nation, and elevate Republicans in the eyes of Cleveland."
Now that the recommendation from the Republican National Committee's site selection committee is in, negotiations with Cleveland officials are expected to begin shortly. A press conference will be held later this afternoon.
The courtship with the national GOP dates back to at least February, when the city submitted its bid. Cleveland was selected a week later as one of eight contenders.
The RNC narrowed the list to four in late May, and on June 25 picked Cleveland and Dallas as the two finalists to host the event.
And last week, RNC officials visited Cleveland to assess "creative ways" to make the city's bid work.
Conventions can be significant economic generators for a city. One study showed that the 2012 GOP convention pumped more than $200 million into the Tampa and Florida economies. That convention drew roughly 50,000 visitors.
Cleveland's convention pitch was rooted in political geography and in a downtown renaissance that leaders said occurred after the city lost its bid for the GOP's 2008 convention. Since that audition, Cleveland has added more hotel rooms and a new convention center.
It's also believed that the expected June availability of Quicken Loans Arena, which will host floor events for the convention, played a role.
Fundraising is another key consideration, and local boosters have estimated that Cleveland will need to raise $55 million to $60 million to cover the costs of hosting.
Boosters are also working to lure the 2016 Democratic National Convention, although officials have said it is highly unlikely the city could host both events.
Given past convention history it's probably for the best:
2012 Tampa, FL Lost the state
2008 Minneapolis, MN Lost the state
2004 New York City Lost the state
2000 Philadelphia, PA Lost the state
1996 San Diego, CA Lost the state
They probably didn't give it to Dallas because they didn't want to take the chance of losing Texas.
I hope the Indians won’t cause any trouble.
great. now an appearance by Scumrob Portman is inevitable
Conventions are largely irrelevant, made-for-TV events that accomplish little on any front.
¶"YouTube"
Anyone remember when Ohio was important, in terms of Electoral College votes? Oh, never mind . . . please return to your hand-wringing.
“I’m not sure that this is good news, and I live in Cleveland..”
I live in Sagamore, and I avoid Cleveland like the plague! Well, except for the occasional blast to Li Wah or Bo Loong.
” elevate Republicans in the eyes of Cleveland.”
Not a chance in Hades! Ridiculous!
Great observation! Kudos to you for your research!
Did you hear about the tornado that ripped through downtown Cleveland his morning?
It did $100 million worth of improvements!
Cleveland Orchestra Franz Welser-Möst
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oy9LxIj99K8
Your hear this BS about how supposedly putting a convention in a state will held that party’s electoral prospects. 2012 was a 0 for 2 for that strategy as the D convention was in Charlotte, NC and the R was in Tampa/St Pete, FL and of course the other party won that state. The GOP has gone 0 for 5 with the locations of the past 5 conventions.
Then have it in Cincinnati.
Cleveland is the unshaven armpit of Great Lakes cities.
From the movie “Major League”:
There’s a red moon rising
On the Cuyahoga River
Rolling into Cleveland to the lake
There’s a red moon rising
ON the Cuyahoga River
Rolling into Cleveland to the lake
There’s an oil barge winding
Down the Cuyahoga River
Rolling into Cleveland to the lake
There’s an oil barge winding
Down the Cuyahoga River
Rolling into Cleveland to the lake
Cleveland, city of light, city of magic
Cleveland, city of light, you’re calling me
Cleveland, even now I can remember
‘Cause the Cuyahoga River
Goes smokin’ through my dreams
Burn on, big river, burn on
Burn on, big river, burn on
Now the Lord can make you tumble
And the Lord can make you turn
And the Lord can make you overflow
But the Lord can’t make you burn
Burn on, big river, burn on
Burn on, big river, burn on
It could have been Chicago or Detroit.
Terminal Tower Lights from Progressive Field
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7U7woi-J44
Surprised they don’t have it in Mexico City. By the time the convention rolls around it will probably be the capitol of Texas.
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