Washington (CNN) – Local officials in three states are awaiting word Wednesday to see which city national Republicans have chosen to host the party's 2012 presidential nominating convention.
At stake is international exposure and perhaps as much as $170 million pumped into a metropolitan area's economy, according to an estimate provided by the Republican National Committee.
Phoenix, Salt Lake City and Tampa Bay all bid for the convention and will learn their fates Wednesday afternoon. RNC officials visited each city over the past two months looking at the municipalities' infrastructure, hotel room capacity, transportation, accessibility and entertainment options for attendees.
The RNC says that 45,000 people attended the 2008 Republican National Convention held in Minneapolis/St. Paul. The convention was responsible for "nearly $170 million in new money … generated for the local economy."
Later: Tampa picked to host 2012 GOP convention
Tampa Bay is considered to be well positioned because Florida is a battleground state, has 27 electoral votes and the infrastructure to hold such a big event. Salt Lake City hosted the 2002 Winter Olympics and choosing the city would be a sign that the Republican Party is reasserting itself in the West. President Obama won Colorado, Nevada and New Mexico in 2008, states that President Bush carried four years earlier. And there is speculation that Phoenix's chances of landing the convention might be harmed because of Arizona's new controversial law dealing with illegal immigrants.
The RNC Site Selection Committee's recommendation Wednesday would need to be ratified by the full RNC membership in the summer.
The Democratic National Committee, which is considering 10 cities including Charlotte, Cleveland, Philadelphia, Phoenix, St. Louis and Tampa Bay will announce its decision in late fall, according to a Democratic source with understanding of the process, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
From CNN Politics
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They should hold it in Mexico since they love slave labor so much.
Choose Florida that way the delegates can see the destruction from the oil that washed ashore two years later and then stand in front of it railing against regulations on offshore oil wells, what a great photo op that would be.
Bring the republicans back! Dems had a chance with full control of all levels of gov't, but only messed things up even more.
Tell me, tell me---– I can`t wait. Ann Coulter is wet with anticipation.
I hope it's Lake Jackson, Texas because that's Ron Paul's hometown. It would be nice to have the Convention in the next President's hometown
I vote for Tuscon Arizona . . .
All those John McShame "patriots" can attend.
What the RNC failed to mention is that during the 2008 Republican National Convention in Minneapolis, the lighting in upper tier seats was dimmed to deflect attention away from empty seating . . . 1/3 of which remained empty throughout the convention.
The Minneapolis/St.Paul 2008 RNC was a bust. I imagine the 2012 Republican National Convention will be a bust as well . . .
I think it should be in Pheonix, AZ, as a reward for that state's brave action in passing a common-sense immigration package. If you illegals don't like it – leave.
Phoenix has embarrassed itself with its racist immigration law. By 2012, it may have concentration camps and be a police state. Salt Lake City is the hometown of the Cult of Mormonism to all Protestants and Catholics, so it's out. That leaves Tampa Bay, where oil from corporate ineptitude will be fouling the beaches for years to come.
Maybe they'd better go back and rethink this idea. Why don't they retreat to Charleston? Seems like SC will always welcome Rebel-publicans, no matter how low they sink.
As long as the GOP continues to hold the Neo Conservative ideology and refuses to embrace the true conservative values of Libertarianism, requiring limited Government, ending global imperialism and Individual liberty. They can have their little convention anywhere they want I’ll still not be part of the Neo Conservative GOP nor will I vote for them.
Detroit. How about the Republicans take a good look at what their leadership caused and remind Americans that we're on the path to recovery.
If the RNC picks Phoenix they will face daily protests and lose the Hispanic vote. Brewer has awakened the sleeping giant with her racist ethnic cleansing program.
Hey, Phoenix Az should be a shoo in. As long as they carry their papers with them. ^)^
Well Phoenix is out, because they dont want to look like they're endorsing AZ's immigration laws, in fact, they'll stay far far away from anything that is even remotely controversial.
Salt Lake doesnt have enough strip clubs, and besides they dont want to look like they endorsing Romney from the get-go.
So my bet is that they'll be headed to Tampa Bay.
The smartest thing the DNC could do is pre-empt them and say they have chosen Tampa Bay(it's already on their list). That pushes the GOP into a corner.
It should be in Pheonix to show the republicans are trying to aid the Americans and communities most devistated by unemployment and that they care. It'd give the stage to support LEGAL immigration and oppose ILLEGAL Invasion as well.
"Phoenix's chances of landing the convention might be harmed because of Arizona's new controversial law dealing with illegal immigrants."
The only ones that find this law "controversial" are those breaking the law and liberals.
As it were, several other states are considering similar legislation because:
1. The federal government refuses to do its job in protecting the borders and
2. The people are behind it by a large margin
I hope they choose Florida and will be able to see first hand the results of "drill baby drill".
The RNC needs to be coated in oil to even begin to see the harm caused by deep water drilling. I want them to stand on an oil soaked beach surrounded by dead birds and fish.
Spill baby spill!
Betcha it's gonna be Phoenix, in order to appeal to their hard-core nativist, immigrant-hating base.
Hope they don't bring the lies, hate, prejudice, fear, war-mongering anywhere near my family.
Please, oh please go to Arizona. I beg you, go to Arizona!!!
Go Pheonix and BUYcott Arizona!!!!! Show those progressives your not afraid of their "boycott".....
Where Mr. Michael Steel picture when you talk about 2012 Republican National Convention. Don't forget about the city of Las Vegas. Nevada for a 2112 Repudlican National Convention Site.
Given the nature of the Republican party and that Arizona just signed a new law that bans ethnic studies classes, Phoenix will probably be the winner. This gives the Republican party the sensitivity award and will drive away all the Hispanic votes (with the exception of Tom Tancredo) they used to be able to count on.
The Republics picked Tampa Bay during August over Phoenix. Hurricanes are less of a threat than Mexican-Americans.
Oh, and to Mark in Miami at 12:45 pm: Bush had 8 years to nearly destroy our economy with his lack of regulation of the markets; co-President Cheney secretly met with BP and other energy groups to deregulate the oil and gas industry, leading to the biggest oil spill in US history. Enjoy Miami, while it's still oil-free.
Meanwhile, despite the utter incompetence of the last adminstration, the economy is starting to come back strong. I suppose when we are adding 800,000 plus jobs per month and the Dow is at 15,000 the
Republics will just say its the natural cyclical economy and Obama's policies did nothing.
How much do you want to bet it's Phoenix so they can show their support for the new, racist AZ anti-immigration fury??