GOP gets the Twin Cities’ royal treatment

08/15/2006

On Monday, it was the Republicans’ turn to scout the Twin Cities as a possible 2008 convention site.

Terry Collins and Jackie Crosby,
Star Tribune staff writers
Last update: August 14, 2006 – 11:19 PM

The Twin Cities literally rolled out the red carpet for the Red State party on Monday, in its pitch to win the 2008 Republican National Convention.

With the Mississippi River providing a scenic backdrop, a bipartisan collective stood shoulder-to-shoulder at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis to make the case to visiting members of the Republican National Committee.

Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty told them that the area is “perfect” for their plans, while DFL Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak said he hopes they “can’t wait to come back.”

DFL St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman said the metro area has an “incredible quality of life,” and Republican U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman added, “This is our time.”

From there, the committee embarked on a nonstop trek to the potential convention sites: Target Center in Minneapolis, the Metrodome, the Minneapolis Convention Center and the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.

At each spot, the Republican group listened as local leaders explained why the GOP should nominate its next presidential candidate in Minnesota, once a sure state for Democrats that became a surprise political battleground during the 2004 election.

The Twin Cities are vying for the Republican and Democratic conventions in 2008. Democratic party officials, who also are looking at Denver and New York City, visited the Twin Cities with similar fanfare in June.

From here, the Republican group heads to New York City later today and on to Tampa, Fla., and Cleveland next week.

Jo Ann Davidson, Republican National Committee co-chair and a chairwoman of the site committee, said the GOP recommendation won’t be made until November. She said that the venue’s accessibility, traffic and hotel rooms are factors considered when choosing a host city.

She added that enthusiasm is a strong intangible. “I see that here,” she said.

At Target Center, committee members were greeted by young staffers waving American flags as they strolled down a red carpet into the arena.

Promoting the Dome

After lunch and a tour of the Graves 601 Hotel, the committee took a light-rail ride to the Metrodome.

As work crews prepared for the Minnesota Vikings’ first preseason game and the Vikings cheerleaders warmed up, stadium officials showed a virtual tour presentation of the Dome called “Anything is Possible.”

The video said the Metrodome’s vast space has proven worthy of big events, and that the stadium is the only facility to host a World Series, Super Bowl, Final Four and baseball’s All-Star Game.

Committee members received another red carpet welcome in St. Paul, where more than 65 people lined the Kellogg Street entrance to the RiverCentre complex waving flags and welcome signs.

The group will have a wrap-up meeting this morning at the Minneapolis Club. On Friday, Mayors Rybak and Coleman will fly to Chicago (at the expense of each city’s convention and tourism arms) to host a reception for Democratic National Committee members who are meeting there.

Civic boosters say landing a national political convention could bring 20,000 people and $150 million to the metro area.