Cities formally begin vying for '16 GOP convention
(CNN) – Holding the 2016 Republican National Convention in a location that could help the party politically-such as in a swing state–may be a "factor" in the decision-making process, Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus told reporters on Monday.
But it's not the RNC's highest priority, he argued.
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"We have to make sure we put on a convention that gives our nominee a bump. To me that is the number one purpose of having a convention," he said.
And the fundamental part of having a good convention is ensuring the logistics are in place, he continued.
The eight cities hoping to host the GOP convention began making their pitches Monday to the RNC's site selection committee.
Representatives from Columbus, Kansas City, Denver, Phoenix, and Cleveland are in Washington, D.C. this week to make their case to hold the next GOP presidential convention.
A major snow storm prevented Dallas, Cincinnati and Las Vegas officials from traveling to the nation's capital, but the RNC says those cities will have a chance to make their presentations on March 21.
Three Ohio cities, Las Vegas & several others considering 2016 Republican convention
Enid Mickelson, chairman of the RNC's site selection committee, said the number of cities vying to be host cities is almost three times as many as in the last presidential cycle.
Hosting a convention is expensive-host committees are expected to raise upwards of $60 million to help pay for the event. Priebus said a city's ability for "securing the dollars" will be the priority.
"It's a business decision," he said.
Demographics loom large for cities vying for Republican 2016 convention
In return, the boon for the city is a swarm of 50,000 new visitors, an economic boost that can bleed into the surrounding communities, and a chance to be in the international spotlight.
For 2016, Democrats hunt for a convention city
But Priebus said cities must prove they have the transportation, hotel space and other logistical details to accommodate delegates, attendees, reporters and tight security requirements.
They also have to be prepared to hold a convention as early as late June or mid-July, Priebus added. The RNC approved a rules change in January that would move up the event from its usual time slot of late August or early September.
The last time Republicans won the state where they had their convention was the 1992 presidential election, after the RNC was held in Houston, Texas. Asked if electoral politics would come into play–especially given that three of the contending cities are located in the crucial swing state of Ohio–Priebus said "it can be a factor, but certainly it wouldn't trump some of the other issues I've laid out."
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Why bother? Hillary is a shoe in!
If these cities researched what the rethugs did to Tampa during the 2012 convention, they'd be playing "hot potato". They turned the place into a police state, shutting down EVERYTHING south of Interstate 275 to anyone BUT attendees and setting up a security barrier that made the "Green Zone" in Afghanistan look like a picket fence! They also DEMANDED lodging rate be further reduced AFTER they'd already gotten a really sweet deal. They were BAD for Tampa business, and they'll be bad for their next venue as well.
whatever city ends up with this "purity rally" they'd better have a lot of liquor stores, brothels, strip bars, and escort services. Those "family values" delegates need to practice what they preach
I think they should hold their convention in Toronto, Canada, since they will be nominating Cruz, the government shutdown King.
Go with Las Vegas please. Make sure all news stations and the enquirer are around to catch these family values lying bible thumpers sinning.
How sweet that will be. Steele and his group went to a lesbian club. Can anyone even imagine what Las Vegas will be like?
They could hold it in Detroit, which is economically depressed. I wonder why Detroit hasn't thrown a hat into the ring.
Marie – you are right. Maybe Vegas would be best for the family values group, as they will have access to gambling, prostitution, and can marry their escorts in a ten minute ceremony.
Typical gop, promise prosperity, and deliver nothing .
They ran rough shot through Tampa, then let the the city clean it up . They demand super deals on everything, not much to be made from that type.
@Rudy, maybe Detroit hasn't thrown it's hat in the ring because it has benefited so much historically from it's Democratic leadership. i mean, why risk breaking such a winning streak, right? Maybe they can get Kwame out of jail so he can host the party.....
Detroit??? Why in the world would anyone want to hold a convention in THAT armpit?
reggie53
I think what the government should do is to say that who ever is on welfare or unemployment for more than one year they should be made to join the military and deplored where ever needed. I bet you will see all those lazy democrats go out there and look for work rather than be in the military. They need to do this so that we can get these people working again rather than wait for their monthly government free handouts.
We have over 1 million veterans on food stamps, and the GOP turned their back on them. When you read a post like this, you then know why we think right wingnuts are brain dead.
Yo, you've done zero research on Detroit huh? Tell us all about it genius.
This is going to fun to watch. Whack jobs like Ted Cruz, Ayn Rand Paul, Rick "Google" Santorum, et al, are going to try to appear as wise and rational "leaders"! HAHAHAHAHA!!!!!
@Fair is Fair
Detroit??? Why in the world would anyone want to hold a convention in THAT armpit?
You are right. Republicans are afraid of black people. Especially the ones they kick when they are down.
@Jeff Brown in Jersey
Why bother? Hillary is a shoe in!
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Now, we know they're going to fail. But, we have to give them a chance to not stick their feet in their mouths.