EDITORIAL: Coleman Courts the GOP: Columbus Would Make Fine Host for the Party's ?08 National Convention
Posted on: Tuesday, 18 April 2006, 12:00 CDT
By The Columbus Dispatch, Ohio
Apr. 18--Democratic Mayor Michael B. Coleman's courting of the 2008 Republican National Convention is symbolic of the city's friendly, open-minded and practical atmosphere. This city is the perfect setting for injecting some much-needed civility into politics.
Of course, civility is important in a state so evenly divided between red and blue voters.
In fact, Columbus ought to be the spot for the '08 Democratic confab, as well, as the state appears destined for as much swing-state attention in '08 as it was given in '04. Why not have both sides stage their giant parties here in late summer, saving themselves a few dozen campaign side trips to the Buckeye State?
For now, only the GOP has invited Columbus to bid for a national convention, and Coleman was wise to join Ohio Republican Party Executive Director Chris McNulty in making a personal pitch.
The two can present an attractive package: Columbus has plenty of hotel rooms and two impressive arenas, both of which would provide interesting environs for conventiongoers.
It's not as if city leaders have no scruples when luring convention business, however. Last year, City Council sensibly banned assault weapons, even though that action cost Columbus the National Rifle Association's 2007 convention, which would have brought 60,000 visitors and lots of cash into central Ohio.
Coleman and council members were unwilling to compromise on legislation they felt was in the city's best interests.
Working with folks from the opposite party on something to benefit the city, on the other hand, never should be a problem.
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Copyright (c) 2006, The Columbus Dispatch, Ohio
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Source: The Columbus Dispatch, Ohio
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