Denver’s handicap stems from its recent success with the
2008 Democratic Convention. There will be a tendency to compare what the
Republicans do in 2016 with the extraordinary moment when a charismatic figure
took control of a party hungry for victory. Can the Republicans fill Invesco
Field will be a framing perspective.
Cleveland and Dallas are the frontrunners on the list
because they have far more political clout in the halls of the RNC and its site
selection committee, but they also provide powerful messaging to the respective
regions and the country at large.
Ohio is a swing state Obama barely carried, central in a
region the Republicans believe is very winnable in 2016. Obama’s failure to
sufficiently revive the economy is exactly the message Ohio and rustbelt
Republicans intend to highlight against the Democratic nominee.
Dallas and Texas represent the heartland of the Republicans’
message of restrained government, free market economics and a land of
opportunity. Texas, as the fastest growing state, radiates success and
self-confidence. The Texas delegation has both the Republican establishment and
the Tea Party in Cornyn, Cruz and Perry.
The downside is Dallas is the home of G.W. Bush, Democrats’
favorite target, and all the upbeat tempo of success can become an unattractive
swagger. Texas politicians spend an inordinate amount of time trying to steal
jobs from other states.
Kansas City’s advantage is that it has less downside. It could
hold a convention that is just about 50,000 people getting together for four
days to pick a nominee with no tertiary drama.
Read Denver Post article: Denver makes cut to host 2016 RNC, joining three other cities
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