In the last few years, Cleveland hosted Special Oympics and Senior Olympics. "Downtown" was totally safe and participants had nothing but praise for the events.
The mayor has done a great job getting money spent on projects to make the city convention-ready. There was next to no population in that part of the city, now some high-income condos and apartments have even turned that around. The city has a good working relationship with (republican) Gov Kasich, so would not be alone in keeping things safe.
As far as winning over the state? Ohio is always very close in presidential elections, and turning a few thousand votes to the Republican side would make a difference. It's possible, since Obama hasn't done anything to help this area.
I know Cleveland bashing is fun, and a percentage of it is deserved. But as far as the convention being here?....there's a reason the RNC people evaluating possibilities have been impressed.
Sorry grania, we’ll have to disagree.
Hosting the Special Olympics etc. is not like hosting a hotbedded political presidential convention...
Protestors, violence and all right in the very heart and stronghold of the democratic base in Ohio. If you think the Cleveland Police are ready to deal with such matters...I’ve got some land to sell you at Burke Lakefront.
This is a foolish choice.
On that note...we’ll have to just disagree.