Tampa Bay Would Be Wise Choice For GOP Convention

If the Republican National Convention comes to the Tampa Bay area in 2004 to renominate George W. Bush for the presidency, Karl Rove will be pronounced brilliant - again.

Rove, the political genius who orchestrated the GOP's historic successes in November, must know that Florida is an essential element in the party's strategy for the big race two years hence. But there are no guarantees. Voter registration is about equally divided in the Sunshine State, as was demonstrated memorably in 2000, and it would be a major mistake for Rove to take Florida for granted.

Tampa Bay, the state's largest metropolitan area, has never hosted a presidential nominating convention, largely because the necessary facilities weren't in place. They are in place now. Our governor is the president's brother, and he was returned to office by a wide margin. But important reasons for that majority were peculiar to that particular contest.

The only other venue being seriously considered for the Republican convention is New York City, which, along with its suburbs, is overwhelmingly Democratic territory. The mayor of New York is a Democrat in Republican disguise. There is no reason to believe the liberal leaders and newspapers in that part of the world will ever buy into President Bush's moderately conservative agenda. To think otherwise is to dream.

In stark contrast, the national GOP has a multitude of friends in our sunny precincts, and they long to house, help and entertain the delegates in 2004. Conventioneers can expect the kind of special attention and courtesy here that they are unlikely to get in preoccupied Gotham.

Does anyone seriously think that the residents of New York City - much less the editors of The New York Times - would be anywhere near so solicitous?

As party officials, political strategists and future delegates ponder whether to come here or go there, the choice seems simple enough. Come to Tampa and St. Petersburg for a few days to celebrate in Bush territory, or fly to Manhattan and get lost in the shuffle while being overcharged at every turn.

Make no mistake. By 2004 the president's visit to New York immediately following 9/11 will be a far less vivid memory than it is today. It would be an error to try to capitalize on that one incident when the president has said repeatedly his emphasis is on the future.

If the Republicans nevertheless choose to hold their great meeting in New York, their folly will be of a magnitude to match our disappointment.

I'm personally from New York City, I still live here and work here. That being said, it would be a HUGE mistake to have the convention here. As much as I would like it for personal and economic reasons, Bush and the GOP would be far better off having the convention in Florida. NY is going to the Dems, no matter what, especially since our Mayor who is an admitted RINO sucks, and everyone thinks he is what republicans are all about (heck to put this in perspective, Bloomberg is farther to the left then alot of the dems, including most of the dems that were in the primary). Florida was way to close the last time, and the RATS almost stole it, we need solidify Florida, to win this election Bush needs 2 of the 4 major states i.e. Texas (which he's got wrapped up) and Florida (which he will have to work for). He's better off in Florida, and more likely then not, if he did come to NYC, he'd probably be dealing with a flood of left wing idiots protesting, which would upstage the whole convention.

Republican Convention update:

GOP scrutinizes bid by New York
Tampa is still a player for the 2004 convention. A decision is expected by year's end.

By BILL ADAIR and DAVID KARP

© St. Petersburg Times, published December 13, 2002

http://www.sptimes.com/2002/12/13/Worldandnation/GOP_scrutinizes_bid_b.shtml

WASHINGTON -- Republicans are focusing on unresolved questions about New York's bid to host their 2004 national convention, but they say Tampa is still very much in the running.

During a conference call Thursday, the GOP site-selection panel discussed questions about New York's proposal, such as how a large building near Madison Square Garden could be used as a media center, according to Republicans familiar with the call.

Those questions are not considered deal-breakers, however. Party officials say they just want them resolved before a decision is made.

During the call, the panel had relatively few questions about Tampa's bid. Most issues were resolved last week when leaders of the Tampa effort visited the White House.

Kevin Sheridan, a spokesman for Republican Party, declined to comment on the details of Thursday's discussions. He said committee members "are just resolving details of the proposals to get to the point where they know everybody has put their final mark on each aspect."

Sheridan said the conference call was "a very positive discussion. However, no final decision has been made."

The committee is resolving logistical and financial questions about the proposals from Tampa, New York and New Orleans. Next week, they will move to the final stage, where they focus more on the political aspects of each city. They say their goal is to pick the city that will provide the biggest boost for President Bush's re-election campaign.

A decision is expected within the next two weeks. Karl Rove, President Bush's chief political adviser, is likely to play a crucial role in selecting the city.

Tampa Bay host committee co-chair Al Austin remained hopeful Thursday that the party would pick Tampa.

"We're still optimistic," Austin said. "I feel Tampa is still very much in play."

The Republicans want New York officials to explain how they would use the James A. Farley Post Office Building across from Madison Square Garden as a convention media center.

In October, the state of New York announced plans to buy the post office building for $230-million and convert part of it into a new Penn Station, the city train station. But the transaction hasn't been completed.

The party wants assurances that the building's future owner will create space for the 14,000 journalists expected to cover the convention. Officials also want to build a temporary bridge to link the building to Madison Square Garden.

Postal Service spokeswoman Diane Todd said officials are discussing the idea and want to cooperate with the Republican National Committee.

"Nothing has been firmed up," Todd said.

New York's looming $6.4-billion budget shortfall also may present problems for Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Bloomberg announced plans to raise property taxes by 18 percent, even as he said he planned cuts to city services, including police and fire.

In an unusual twist unrelated to the convention but indicating the seriousness of New York's financial crisis, the chairman of the New York City Council sent Tampa City Council chairman Charlie Miranda a letter recently about its budget crisis, seeking help to lobby the federal government for more funds. Similar letters were sent to other cities.

But New York's financial package to lure the Republican convention spares no expense.

According to a copy of the New York proposal obtained by the St. Petersburg Times, Bloomberg guaranteed that taxpayers would cover the difference if fundraisers fall behind in raising $71.5-million for a Big Apple convention. That's something that Tampa Mayor Dick Greco would not do.

The city of Philadelphia bailed out RNC fundraisers with an interest-free loan when they fell behind schedule for the 2000 Republican National Convention. Tampa's organizers got local banks to guarantee pledges.

Bloomberg also promised to provide the Republican Party with $20-million worth of free city police services and $2.5-million for private security, according to the New York bid document.

In Tampa, organizers want the Florida Legislature to appropriate $10-million and local governments to give $5-million from local hotel bed taxes in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties. An additional $6.8-million would come from government in-kind services such as free overtime of police officers in the Tampa Bay area.

Members of Florida's congressional delegation have been lobbying on Tampa's behalf. Rep. C.W. Bill Young, R-Largo, made a pitch last week to Ken Mehlman, the White House political director.

Young said Mehlman didn't reveal any leanings but said party leaders "were really impressed with the presentation made by Tampa. They were actually pleasantly surprised."

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