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.
Cleveland Makes the List
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOABueEaiaA
And, let me guess... the debates will again be hosted by PBS, CNN and CBS like last time.
I graduated from Lincoln High School, as did my sister and brother, the school is now gone and all the fun times are just a memory...but just am shocked poop-less over the RNC choosing this city for the 2016 Convention...totally unbelievable. but after the acts in Mississippi, I'm not surprised at anything the RNC does any more...
will support TED CRUZ...ALL THE WAY.
I’m sure that the 1984 convention was great—unfortunately it isn’t 1984 anymore, at least no the year (though maybe the book).
Below is a link to one of the best strips on the 1984 Meadow Party Convention, for those who can remember Bloom County.
http://www.thecomicstrips.com/store/add.php?iid=82487
Have family out the Chagrin way, and I can assure you, Cleveland is barely as step above Detroit or Oakland. It’s a hell hole.
Interesting story
A drive through Playhouse Square in Cleveland on a June night
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMxmLEO5awc
Mistake by the lake redux......
Cleveland. That’s exciting, not! I guess it will go well with Romney 2.0 or whatever tired retread the GOP trot out. Is Sen. Dole still available?
It’s all about Ohio, it seems.
Cleveland? The last time the Republicans were in Cleveland was 1936, and we know what happened then. In 1936 my grandmother was an alternate delegate from Colorado. That is a good story for the family, but Alf Landon got drubbed.
You're right, lets have 26 primary debates again. That way, we can narrow the field from a dozen potential candidates, including some very good conservatives, down to two, allowing the MSM to beat the crap out of everyone in the process.
had my first beauty shop job on West 25 and Clark Ave. at Martha Ann's ...great place. attended Cleveland Academy of Cosmetology in downtown Cleveland on Euclid Ave. yep I was a Clevelander. loved my Indians and my Browns..
Cleveland does have some great sites to visit...CLEVELAND INSTITUTE OF ART, CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY. AND THE ZOO PLUS MANY MORE...
(I named those two higher schools of learning as my son graduated from both of them.)
so guess I just go with the flow and keep my negative thoughts quiet, at least for now...lol
If they don’t have what it takes to face the media, that’s tough shit for them. I don’t really care what the moderates with a mouthful of Mitt want.
I'm closer. Thank goodness for Cleveland.
Gee, hosting the Republican convention in a majority-black city with a Democrat-controlled city government. What could possibly go wrong?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.