Cleveland, Dallas remaining finalists to host 2016 GOP National Convention

news-herald.com ^ | 06/25/14 | John Arthur Hutchison

[Las Vegas Dave]

Cleveland is one of the two finalists to host the 2016 Republican National Convention.

The Republican National Committee’s Site Selection Committee made the announcement June 25 that it has chosen Cleveland and Dallas as the two finalists.

The committee’s decision was based on a thorough review of bids, presentations, and visits to each of the cities, according to a news release.

“Cleveland and Dallas demonstrated their ability to host a phenomenal convention in 2016, and the RNC is excited about the prospect of hosting our convention in either of these great cities,” Committee Chairwoman Enid Mickelsen said in a statement.

“After visiting both cities, I can say to my fellow Republicans that we should be excited for the 2016 convention.”

< snip >

[mmichaels1970]

Cleveland is not even really going to be safe.

I'm down there a lot. My teenage daughters worked at the Halle building on Euclid Ave. It's pretty safe.

It is a pain in the rear to drive around down there. Lots of construction and idiot drivers. Cleveland seems to have this thing about making it as painful and stressful as possible to get downtown.

My biggest fear is when parking in the street and not a paid lot, you run the risk of getting a brick thrown through your car window in a "snatch and grab" if you leave a GPS or cell phone, etc visible. Symptom of the Obama economy IMHO. So my advice for potential conventioneers is: PAY FOR PARKING AT A LOT! If you see free street-side parking, don't bite unless you have nothing of value visible in your car.

But as far as personal safety goes, it's not bad at all.

Personally, I think Cleveland would be a great choice for the convention. Folks up there have only ever known one party. It would be nice to put them up-close and personal with another. My only concern is that once a commitment is made, the city politicians have a tendency to meddle with things that were previously agreed upon.

[Iron Munro]

Cleveland, Dallas remaining finalists to host 2016 GOP National Convention

Cleveland, home of the Cleveland INDIANS?

Sounds like a place insensitive to the feelings of our Native Americans.

And the home of the Cleveland Browns?

Why not just come right out and call them the Cleveland NEGROES?

And Dallas, home of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders?

Cows, Boys, and Female Cheerleaders dressed in skimpy western costumes?

Or is it beastiality, homophobes, ridicule of pedophiles and War On Women?

I smell Trouble with a capital "T"

/s

[MplsSteve]

“I thought the GOP ‘84 convention was in Dallas?”

It was.

At Reunion Arena in downtown Dallas.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reunion_Arena

[Iron Munro]

Dallas never. The assignation undercurrent still there

Was that a nocturnal assignation?

[novemberslady]

Cleveland? Why not throw Newark into the Equation too??

I'm glad someone said it.
Yes Dallas!

[defconw]

I’ll take your word for it. I haven’t been to Cleveland in 25 years. I grew up on the west side.

[nascarnation]

There really are only two states that determine the next POTUS, Ohio and Florida. If the Dems win either of those, they’re basically done.

So I’d think having the R convention in one of the two is good strategy.

[YourAdHere]

Cleveland is a toilet. No offense.

[mmichaels1970]

On the other hand, given past history, maybe it should be in Cleveland. If it's in Dallas we may lose Texas.

LOL! That's funny.

As a Cleveland suburbanite, I believe they CAN make a difference if they do it right. Residents of Cleveland barely know that another party exists. If attempts were made to create opportunities to interact with the community and send a conservative message without patronizing, I think it can go a long way.

I know there are a lot of negative things to say about George Voinovich as a Senator. But people should be reminded that he was once a republican mayor of the city. Residents should be reminded or hearkened back to the Cleveland of the '80's when they had a republican mayor (I think he's the last GOP mayor they've had). I think it's the last boom Cleveland has had.

Heck, I'd even tell the residents that the last time the Browns were any good, a REPUBLICAN was mayor of Cleveland. We're pretty desperate around here and will listen to anything if it relates to improving the Browns.

[chrisser]

Cleveland will be a fiasco!

Cleveland with its unions etc. will be a nightmare! You want riots, they do this here...you will get your riots. Republicans and conservatives was more than hated in Cleveland.

How can I say this? I live in Greater Cleveland.

Was going to post the exact same thing. Cleveland is a terrible idea. Between the unions and other leftist kooks causing problems and the media giving them the spotlight, there's no way Republicans can benefit from holding the convention here.

Plus, Detroit, Toledo, Youngstown, Pittsburgh - all full of union thugs and just a short bus ride away.

[fella]

What a joke. Dallas is a RAT stronghold, the county just voted for reparations. And Cleveland of the burning river? Why not some Republican run city, clean and well run say like Fort Worth?

[Tennessee Nana]

If Willard has anything to say about it the place wont be Dallas...

Willard will opt for the more friendly to liberals Cleveland..

[DoodleDawg]

As a Cleveland suburbanite, I believe they CAN make a difference if they do it right. Residents of Cleveland barely know that another party exists. If attempts were made to create opportunities to interact with the community and send a conservative message without patronizing, I think it can go a long way.

I disagree. It's going to come down to candidate. Convention will be long since forgotten by election day.

[Las Vegas Dave]

I would think that all the CLE cabbies would tell their fares that they were republicans, JUST for the tip($) ?

[Grams A]

Dallas is the ticket!!!”

If they are going to have it in Texas it needs to be held in Brownsville or one of the border cities. Maybe they could even be housed in Monterrey and shuttled back and forth across the border in the morning and evening without any police protection.

[mmichaels1970]

Convention will be long since forgotten by election day.

Possibly. But Cleveland would absolutely eat up the positive recognition. We are the butt of so many jokes and insults ranging from places like this forum to ESPN and the national media.

I believe anybody that gives respect and positive recognition to Cleveland has a chance to win a place in Cleveland's heart.

[q_an_a]

well ft worth did not ask for the convention but for those who want to see a side by side comparison here is dallas news page

http://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/headlines/20140625-it-s-down-to-dallas-and-cleveland-for-2016-republican-convention.ece

[mak5]

Cleveland is also in the running for the Dem. convention. The convention itself would be held in the “Q” Arena. There is fine dining available for delegates and others, the area around the arena can be kept safe. My only concern is whether there are enough hotel rooms in the area for the delegates, alternates, news media and party apparatus without having to bus people in and out to the suburbs.

[Las Vegas Dave]

Either Dallas or Cleveland will host the 2016 Republican convention, party leaders decided Wednesday, cutting Denver and Kansas City from contention.

Cleveland is a lakefront city that has invested billions in recent years to shake off its Rust Belt roots, a Democratic stronghold in a key battleground. Dallas is at the center of the modern GOP, home to the party’s last president and an unusually long list of its top donors.

“Cleveland is a tough competitor,” said Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings.

Said Cleveland’s bid committee chairman, Terry Egger: “There are those that would say we were the underdog all along, yet here we stand.”

The decision sets up an unusual head-to-head competition for the convention. It’s a marquee event that brings 50,000 people, millions of dollars and worldwide attention to a host city — along with extensive security and logistical challenges — every four years as the party nominates its presidential candidate and showcases its message to voters for the fall.

The finalists may have a chance to sweeten their offers to the GOP, but so far, they bring similar strengths to the table.

Cleveland boasts a revamped downtown, even as Dallas touts the Arts District. The Ohio competitor has a respectable kitty of $25 million — more than a third of the sum it would need to host the event — though Dallas already has $46 million on the table. Both cities offer a good number of hotels near the proposed convention arena, an important factor for thousands of delegates and guests.

But Cleveland may have found a way to let the Republicans start their convention in late June — a trump card Dallas cannot match. And on the political front, Cleveland offers Republicans an opportunity to make a splash in Ohio, always a critical state in presidential contests — a selling point it’s also using to try to lure the 2016 Democratic convention.

Texas is solidly in the Republican column. Picking Dallas would ensure a friendly reception but might also signal that Republicans are somewhat worried about hanging onto the state in coming years.

The decision is expected to be finalized by early August.

[mmichaels1970]

My only concern is whether there are enough hotel rooms in the area for the delegates, alternates, news media and party apparatus without having to bus people in and out to the suburbs.

I agree. And if they lodge at the airport, they've got about a 25-30 minute trek to get downtown as well.