July 21, 2008
Posted: July 21st, 2008 11:00 AM ET

From

(CNN) - The Republican National Committee has officially taken the reins of St. Paul, Minnesota's Xcel Energy Center, site of the party's 2008 national convention.

In an informal ceremony held at the site Monday morning, a cardboard "key" to the arena was presented to Republican officials, who have officially rented the facility until at least September 4. Soon after, around 100 workers began filing in to begin the physical changes.

Eventually, 600 workers are slated to labor on-site. Rows of chairs will be removed; box suites will be turned into television studios.

"It's technically a construction site, but we're not really constructing anything," said convention press secretary Joanna Burgos. "It's really just aesthetics inside - a lot of refurbishing and transforming into something else."

Filed under: RNC


Crush Rush   July 21st, 2008 4:00 pm ET

The Dittoheads will CRY and CHEW their teeth come November when Obama wins by LANDSLIDE.

Arkansas Undertaker   July 21st, 2008 3:58 pm ET

I cant wait until Obama wins the Genreral Election in November! And when he takes office January 20 2009.

I want to see what all of the "so called Democrats" that don't or refuse to support Obama do, when they try to get their agenda pushed, and he laughs in their faces. Karma is somthing else baby!

All of those Hillary Clinton supporters, Racist Democrats and and Racist independents will be kissing Obama behind to even get their agenda's considered by an Obama Administration. and I just CAN'T WAIT until that happens.

ANd even if Barack looses Hillary will never win nomination in 2012.

bucktopia   July 21st, 2008 3:53 pm ET

Nero fiddled as rome burned, and the GOP plan a party as they gut our country raw. If you feel barack is not the micheal Jordan, or tiger woods, of politics you need a spanking from your grand daddy, because that is who you are trying to elect.

The world is tired of Old Men making the rules, why elect another one.

next.

Hillary Clinton   July 21st, 2008 3:50 pm ET

Avoid the trauma, stop Obama! I tried, but it's not too late. Please.

BVAL   July 21st, 2008 3:48 pm ET

WHO CARES ?

I DON'T NEED A CONVENTION IN BIG SPACE JUST A TOWNHALL WITH 150 SEATS. PLEASE... PLEASE... PLEASE... DON'T YOU SEE ....

SIGNED MCCAIN

Bob Indianapolis, IN   July 21st, 2008 3:43 pm ET

"I represent the majority and as a majority I do have certain inalianabel rights. "

WOW....You really should have stayed in school.

Dem paple wood hab learnt you sum gud wurds...

ProudToBeDemocrat   July 21st, 2008 3:21 pm ET

What ever this stupid republicans do they can not win Minnesota, We are voting democrat and Obama is going to win in minnesota 65/35 over McShame.

Brandon Hillary PUMA 4Mc   July 21st, 2008 3:18 pm ET

We wont "get over it" We wont and were not all middle age females or rednecks you liberal kool aide drinkers.

Now this is a convention I will be looking forward to.
Stay Sane.... Vote Mc Cain.

Hillary 2012

Kathy   July 21st, 2008 3:15 pm ET

What really bothers me about McCain is his endless and useless false ads! I think people see them as a joke now, just stop already.

57 States   July 21st, 2008 3:13 pm ET

Cant wait, sorry RNC I will not be able to attend many liberals are counting on my paycheck so I will be at work

Chitral Cheetah   July 21st, 2008 3:12 pm ET

As they say in academic circles, 'if you apply a high enough voltage you can make a dead frog jump'. Of course you pump huge amounts of troops, equipment and money with no bar on casualties (as it inevitably happened) as part of the surge you will get ostensible progress. However the question to ask is, did the the colossal waste of human life and national treasure and neglect of the real war in Afghanistan, justify the Iraq war. The answer is clear. Mr McCain you are on the wrong side of this one.

Peter of Oregon   July 21st, 2008 3:11 pm ET

I wonder how many people the RNC is expecting to show up?

Who Cares!!!   July 21st, 2008 3:09 pm ET

SENIOR CITIZEN GIG!!!

kim hussein taylor portland, oregon   July 21st, 2008 3:08 pm ET

this article bores me, i couldnt care less about the GOP's farce to be!

as for the NYT editorial: newspapers and magazines direct the content of their publications all the time. it's not "telling mccain what to say", and in fact the NYT did mccain a HUGE favor b/c that kind of nasty, blaming editorial would have sunk him even further. he should be THANKING the times!!!

it's going to be SOOOOOOOOOO NICE to have DECENT, INTELLIGENT, POSITIVE, PATRIOTIC, PRO-AMERICA, AND PRO-AMERICANS in the white house!! there has been more than enough ugliness, divisiveness, GREED, lies, stealing, hatred...those are NOT traits of our wonderful country and citizens. buh bye haters!

Alverant   July 21st, 2008 3:05 pm ET

I wonder if they closed the science museum already and if they've arranged for extra police for the catholics to protect them against the evil Atheists who'd say, "It's a stupid cracker, get over it!"

Tom in New Hope, MN   July 21st, 2008 3:04 pm ET

Republican fools and their money will soon be part. A sincere thanks for the convention money. Minnesota ( a democratic state) appreciates the donation.

dumpmccain/the realmccain   July 21st, 2008 3:02 pm ET

Whaaaaa Whaaaaa Whaaaaa they wont publish my letter-John McCain is not fit for office. forget Minnesota GOP you should have your convention on the Pak/Iraq boarder

Crush Rush   July 21st, 2008 3:01 pm ET

Dont forget Rush Limbaugh,the slob,with his minions of mindless morons as a side show.Two or three of his paid operatives blog using about 300 names,its so funny.

MikeH   July 21st, 2008 3:00 pm ET

Will they be offering tours of Larry Craig's gay pickup toilet stall?

PUMAs = Republicans   July 21st, 2008 3:00 pm ET

These aren't Hillary supporters that are whining, they are Republicans blogging as Democrats working the division angle. Pity that they're so ashamed of their own party that they have to represent themselves as posers.

dumpmccain/the realmccain   July 21st, 2008 2:59 pm ET

could not post on the NYT article:
McCain...they wont publish my letter, WHAAAAAAAAA WHAAAAAAAA WHAAAAAAA!!!! Cindy Lou, they are such bad mens. i am going to take a trip to the Pak/Iraq boarder and I'll show em

hillaryLOSTgetoverit   July 21st, 2008 2:49 pm ET

To all the alleged Hillary supporters who are still whining SHUT UP! You lost, get over it. If you were really Democrats there is NO WAY you could vote for McCain. OH and to hillarybacker for mccain, racist much?

Jackie from Minneapolis   July 21st, 2008 2:48 pm ET

As a Minnesotan – GET OUT!!! We don't want you here.

Phil, FL   July 21st, 2008 2:46 pm ET

Why not spend the money on something useful?

Not sleeping at the switch   July 21st, 2008 2:45 pm ET

I saw today that Nevada CANCELLED its GOP Convention.

Reason, LACK OF INTEREST.

That is all

Bob Hussein Akmad Jones   July 21st, 2008 2:44 pm ET

Do you think if obama wins he will give the same speech as Pelosi did talking about how much she was going to accomplish in the first 100 days? How has that worked out for us, oh thats right the worst approval rating in history even lower then Bush

Gary of El Centro, Ca   July 21st, 2008 2:44 pm ET

You can put lipstick on the elephant, but in reality its still just a very large pig.

Jan   July 21st, 2008 2:43 pm ET

It will, at least, be more serious than the Oprah/Obama extravaganza–they will be nominating a PRESIDENTIAL candidate–not a grinning movie-star wannabee.

GOP Convention Decor   July 21st, 2008 2:42 pm ET

Decorating Suggestions for the GOP Convention Center:

Red–for the unnecessary blood that was shed in Iraq.

White–for the whitewashing you did to our Constitution.

Blue–for the way you're going to feel in November when we elect Barack Obama as our next president.

Obama 08

Janice   July 21st, 2008 2:42 pm ET

I feel sorry for the people in my former home state.

I'm shocked also that companies that we all know and love like 3M have footed the bill for the convention of the party that likely has an administration guilty of war crimes – and a new candidate that wants to continue the policies in spite of being the recipient of the same treatment.

May the ghost of Hubert Humphrey show up and cause havoc!

RF, El Paso TX   July 21st, 2008 2:41 pm ET

Now that they've delivered to their corporations and defense contractors, they'll need plenty of doors and tables for their backdoor deals and under-the-table payments.

Republican politicians have become nothing more than political prostitutes!

Delaware   July 21st, 2008 2:39 pm ET

I'm so excited to hear that Republicans are going to have a great event so they can come up with a way to scare us to voting for them again. Maybe a another terror attack would help them (isn't that what McCain's advisors want).

Barack Backer For Barack   July 21st, 2008 2:39 pm ET

Dear Hillary Backer for McCain.

Barack Obama is not a "boy". You'll find that out in November when he is elected. Be sure to watch your televison in January when he becomes your next president–you racist pig.

Obama 08

PG   July 21st, 2008 2:38 pm ET

YAWNNNNNNNNNNN!

Michelle   July 21st, 2008 2:36 pm ET

Please let me post here, as your NY Times thread closed quickly.
I had posted that there was article at patriotroom.com and I wanted to add that I think the article may be tongue-in-cheek or a mockery type of piece.

In any regard, a free press is to be cherished and used wisely.

NotFallingInLine.org   July 21st, 2008 2:35 pm ET

Hey "whiner in a mental recession,"

Don't forget the letter to Don Fowler and Alice Germond. We're sending that one out today.

Btw, thanks for the compliment!

Knoxville

NOT FALLING IN LINE behind failed undemocratic leaders and THEIR selectee.

Nevada   July 21st, 2008 2:34 pm ET

Monday, July 21, 2008:

The Nevada Republican Party canceled its state convention for lack of interest. A quorum is 675 and only 300 people signed up. The delegates to the national convention will be chosen in a conference call.

Quote from electoral-vote.com

WOW - Cedar Hill, TX   July 21st, 2008 2:32 pm ET

What a laugh...McCain is McSain......

To funny....No one will be there but old people (70 and up)

Kim, Charlotte, NC   July 21st, 2008 2:31 pm ET

Another AARP meeting...........

Texas trail Puppy   July 21st, 2008 2:30 pm ET

HaHaHa!!!! McSame has zero credibility even the NYT knows that..
Obama 2008

Rave   July 21st, 2008 2:30 pm ET

McPain called me a Whiner from Nation of Whiners.
I denounce McCain and Satan
OBAMA (2008 -16)

California Gold   July 21st, 2008 2:30 pm ET

Maybe they can at least try to formulate a platform to restore this country's infrastructure and take a windshield tour to Minneapolis's catastrophic bridge failure in August 2007, the Interstate 35W bridge which collapsed into the Mississippi River. The decay of basic infrastructure in this country is very real. What good is it to talk about drilling for more oil if there are no roads and bridges to drive on.

Mia   July 21st, 2008 2:29 pm ET

Hey John, if you put a pork chop around your neck, you might get a dog to listen to you. The country is moving on...and you can go with us or stay behind with George Bush.

Obama 08

Bob Hussein Akmad Jones   July 21st, 2008 2:29 pm ET

I bet the dem convention will be handing out wellfare checks and food stamps.........Oh wait that cant happen untill a Dem is elected and the unemployment flies through the roof

demorats=lazy
democrats= free hand outs
democrats=punish the educated

Krush   July 21st, 2008 2:29 pm ET

Typical left wing media, the NY Times. They don't like McCain because he is not an inexperienced liberal. So, they won't publish his rebukes of their slanted agenda. That's why real thinkers don't read the liberal rag of New York. They simply laugh at it!

D from MN   July 21st, 2008 2:29 pm ET

The Xcel Energy Center is a beutiful arena! I'm excited to see the republicans there in September!

Booyah!   July 21st, 2008 2:28 pm ET

I week long party for morons (ir mean morons, oops i mean Mormans)
paligomists, racists, grumpy seniors, moonshine making hillbillies, sourthern dixie red necks, Hillary Clinton, her PUMA brigade of racists, and gun packing war mongers to get together and kiss their first cousins...Have fun repooblicants

Tisk, Tisk   July 21st, 2008 2:28 pm ET

John is using his time wisely. He knows he can't pay to get attention when Barack is in the country.

Obama 08

CW4Barak   July 21st, 2008 2:28 pm ET

Who cares......they don't even need to have a convention, cause they are irrelevant this election year!! Even the Iraqi's and the rest of the world know it!

The Party's Over   July 21st, 2008 2:27 pm ET

I'm so happy GW is leaving. I think on election day I'm just going to cry. No, I'm going to pray, go vote for Barack, and then cry from shear joy. Our long national nightmare, filled with torture, foreclosures, extreme gas, food and housing prices will be over.

Obama 08

Brenda   July 21st, 2008 2:26 pm ET

High school gym will be perfect...sure they have the number of chairs GOP'S need ...not more not less

Patrick   July 21st, 2008 2:26 pm ET

I live in Denver and I can tell you that no one; Republicans and Democrats alike want their convention here. How about each party builds their own arena at one place and agrees to hold it there every 4 years instead of turning our cities into war zones so they can celebrate their pre-determinded nominees.

Tick Tock Fellows   July 21st, 2008 2:24 pm ET

Instead of a GOP convention, let's get a giant clock and count the seconds as to win we will vote for Barack.

Tick Tock Bush, tick tock John–the gig is up.

Obama 08

Beverly, NYC   July 21st, 2008 2:23 pm ET

While it's nice that 600 people will be employed, I think the Republicans should save their money on this one. Donate it to charity.

Where'sThe Minority?   July 21st, 2008 2:22 pm ET

Don't forget to call some minorities and let them know that you will pay to have them onstage as a prop for John-I'm-just-like-you McSame.

Have you ever noticed how John and Hillary for that matter, will make it a point to find a minority, and stand right in front of them so America will think they're inclusive?

My husband and I play a game called "Where's the black person" because every politician runs to them for a photo opt. We're black by the way, and we think it's insulting. Just stand in front of Americans, the color of their skin does not matter.

Obama 08

Hillary Backer for McCain   July 21st, 2008 2:22 pm ET

Yeah baby, lets get the party started. I can't wait to watch the coverage of the RNC as a new member. I was for the DEMS but when they stole the election and gave it to that boy, i said "no way" I represent the majority and as a majority I do have certain inalianabel rights. Such as the right to select the candidate we want and not picked by urban people. We are takinf over the red states and will convert blue states this time.

McCain is out best hope.

Phil in KC   July 21st, 2008 2:22 pm ET

Good grief! All that time and money for a few nights' use? Seems over the top. I thought the Republicans were supposed to be the party of fiscal restraint.

A Latte Lover, Seattle, WA   July 21st, 2008 2:21 pm ET

I seriously doubt if the Gay Old Party needs a venue as large as Xcel for their convention. Will they have problems filling it???? The crowds that McCain has been drawing so far, look anything but enthused. I always wonder if there is someone behind the scenes holding up a sign that says APPLAUSE when McCain thinks he has said something worthy, lol.

Obama/Biden, 08 or Hagel or Clark....

Bob Hussein Akmad Jones   July 21st, 2008 2:20 pm ET

No matter what all you libs say I have 3 words Reid, Pelosi & Dean........HAHHAHAH oh Hold On HAHAHAHAHA. Nice representation HAHAHAHAH I just fell off my chair HAHAHAHAHAH.

Doesnt she have one of her special parades to attend in San Francisco that weekend? HAHAHAHAHA

JA Cook   July 21st, 2008 2:19 pm ET

"It's really just aesthetics inside — a lot of refurbishing and transforming into something else."

Is that about McCain or the building?

spanky   July 21st, 2008 2:18 pm ET

Go ahead and spend your money, the people will speak this fall, and it will be a BAD BAD day for the republican party. And well deserved at that!

The republican party is about to take their rightful place among the other betrayers of true american patriots...in historys waste basket

Andrea   July 21st, 2008 2:18 pm ET

I'm voting for Obama, but good luck to the GOP in transforming the Convention Center. This is an American process, and not a dictatorship. So may the best man win, and I hope that man is Barack Obama.

Obama 08

I am a "whiner" in a "mental recession".   July 21st, 2008 2:18 pm ET

NotFallingInLine.org– Murphy needs you to send some more letters to Dean, Donna, Pelosi and the superdelegates. You don't have time to be on this ticker commenting. Get busy if you want Hillary placed in nomination. HA HA HA

Ken   July 21st, 2008 2:17 pm ET

I hope they have a "get out of Minnesota" strategy. They certainly didn't have one for Iraq.

Minnesota will have to invest in some industrial-strength de-lousing spray after they've gone. They are sure to leave a stench.

Cynthia   July 21st, 2008 2:16 pm ET

How many people will it hold?

Kristen   July 21st, 2008 2:15 pm ET

This is what they choose to spend money on a lot of "asthetics". Too bad it wont win them the White House in November.

BARACK THE VOTE 2008!!!

Cynthia - Arkansas   July 21st, 2008 2:12 pm ET

I hope they leave a lot of room outside for the protestors! I can only imagine how many will be there this time!

Jan, Knoxville, TN   July 21st, 2008 2:12 pm ET

That undoubtedly will be the most boring convention in recent memory.

Jerry in Boston   July 21st, 2008 2:12 pm ET

"a lot of refurbishing and transforming into something else"

How appropriate for John McCain.

NotFallingInLine.org   July 21st, 2008 2:11 pm ET

Their convention may not be the stuff of rock stars, but at least they have a legitimate and qualified nominee.

The second-tier, undemocratic Democratic Party losership stuck us with a rhetorician-without-a-record.

Please help us.

Michael "C" Lorton, Virginia   July 21st, 2008 2:10 pm ET

Instead of transforming the convention site aesthetically, the GOP needs some serious tranformation of the GOP itself.

Mccain LIES!   July 21st, 2008 2:09 pm ET

I'm sure somebody's basement will do fine. Who in their right mind is supporting john mccain?

What if?   July 21st, 2008 2:07 pm ET

OK, and what?

Tee   July 21st, 2008 2:07 pm ET

Whoop dee do—who cares?

The Democratic Convention will be the hottest ticket in town. You can call it a spectacle, but I call it an American pastime. Imagine that, Americans invested and interested in their government. I've never seen anything like it, and as long as I live, I don't think I'll see it again

ali   July 21st, 2008 2:06 pm ET

what a waste of time.they should just rent a baseball stadium....theres plenty of room for everyone ...in the dugouts.

Tracey   July 21st, 2008 2:04 pm ET

Whoop dee do-who cares?

The Democratic Convention will be the hottest ticket in town. You can call it a spectacle, but I call it an American pastime. Imagine that, Americas invested and interested in their government. I've never seen anything like it, and as long as I live, I don't think I'll see it again

The Voice   July 21st, 2008 2:04 pm ET

This is where all the heads of the mob families will meet!

Bob Indianapolis, IN   July 21st, 2008 2:03 pm ET

MMMmmm! Cardboard key! Perfect symbol of a flat-earth 2-Dimensional party and candidate...

Abby   July 21st, 2008 1:59 pm ET

Your 8 years are up. It’s time for others to clean up your mess.

OBAMA for AMERICA 08

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