2008 Presidential Campaign Blog

U.S. Senator John McCain to campaign with Governor Tim Pawlenty

U.S. Senator John McCain to campaign with with Governor Tim Pawlenty

(St. Paul) – Governor Tim Pawlenty’s campaign announced today that U.S. Senator John McCain will join the Governor on the campaign trail in Minnesota on Wed., November 1.

“Senator McCain is truly an American hero and one of our nation’s guiding lights,” Governor Pawlenty said.  “You can't help but look at his life story and his record of courage, dedication and self-service and not be inspired.  I’m honored that he’s going to spend some time with us in Minnesota in November as we enter the home stretch of the campaign.”

The 2008 RNC Political Convention Fact Sheet

The 2008 RNC Political Convention Fact Sheet

2008 convention dates: Republicans will meet Sept. 1- 4, 2008
Attending: About 30,000 people, including delegates, donors, elected officials, lobbyists, staff and media. Approximately 4,000 delegates will attend the convention. 
About 15,000 members of the media will cover the convention--more media participation than any other event besides the Olympics. The massive, unparalleled amount of national and international media attention that follows a national political convention will showcase this region far into the future.
Hotel needs: Approximately 95 hotels or 17,000 - 20,000 hotel rooms throughout the Twin Cities.
Cost: Estimated at more than $50 million. The 2004 Republican Convention in New York cost $154 million. In Boston, it was $89 million for the Democrats.
Economic Impact: Hosting a national political convention is considered extremely valuable – both economically and for media visibility. Based on previous conventions, local officials believe that hosting a national political convention could result in an economic impact of $150 million or more.
Staff members from the RNC will move to Minneapolis-Saint Paul immediately after the announcement and their staff will build to approximately 500 people by the time of the convention.
There is an unlimited access period to the facilities that would begin on June 30, 2008. Construction for the convention would begin at the start of the unlimited access period.
There will be many events held in and around the host city the weekend before and after the respective conventions.  The official proceedings are Monday through Thursday. 
Have we ever done this before? Minnesota has only been host to one national presidential convention – in 1892, when Republicans re-nominated President Benjamin Harrison who eventually lost to Grover Cleveland.

Source: Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul, Minnesota

STATEMENT FROM SENATOR NORM COLEMAN ON RNC SELECTION OF TWIN CITIES

STATEMENT FROM SENATOR NORM COLEMAN ON RNC SELECTION OF TWIN CITIES 
 
September 27th, 2006 - Washington, D.C. - I am thrilled that after more than a century Minnesota is once again going to be the epicenter of the nation and the Republican Party in 2008. This was a team effort all the way, with both parties and both sides of the river working tirelessly to make this a reality. This is a huge win for all Minnesotans. The 2008 Republican National Convention will showcase Minnesota to a worldwide audience, generating enormous economic activity and opportunity. As a former Mayor of St. Paul, this holds special significance for me. When we built the Xcel Energy Center, we dreamed of bringing hockey back to Minnesota, but never the Superbowl of politics.

Governor Pawlenty Statement on the 2008 Republican National Convention

For Immediate Release:
September 27, 2006

Governor Pawlenty statement on the 2008 Republican National Convention

(St. Paul) – The following is a statement from Governor Tim Pawlenty regarding news that the 2008 Republican National Convention will be held in Minnesota. 

“This is tremendous news for Minnesota.  The convention will provide a boost to our economy and give Minnesota a great chance to show-off the Twin Cities and entire state to the world.  Minnesota has a rich tradition of big events and civic involvement.  Hosting the convention will only add to our fantastic reputation.”

Minnesota To Host 2008 Republican National Convention

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday September 27, 2006

Minnesota To Host 2008 Republican National Convention

Republican Party of Minnesota Chairman Ron Carey made the following statement today regarding the selection of the Twin Cities to host the 2008 Republican National Convention.

"We are thrilled Minnesota will be the host of the 2008 Republican National Convention. Minnesota is the best place in the United States to live and we are excited to showcase our state to the entire world.

"We believe this election will be decided on the banks of the Mississippi River. We look forward to helping nominate the next president of the United States."

STATEMENT OF MINNESOTA DFL CHAIR BRIAN MELENDEZ ON THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION

STATEMENT OF MINNESOTA DFL CHAIR BRIAN MELENDEZ ON THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION

(ST. PAUL) 9/27/06 – “While we would have loved to see the Democratic National Convention in 2008, we applaud the leadership of Mayors Rybak and Coleman in securing the RNC. We welcome our Republican friends to the home of Hubert Humphrey, Walter Mondale and Paul Wellstone.

“We hope the Republican Party enjoys their stay and we hope they take some honest, Minnesota values with them when they leave.”

DNC Congratulates Twin Cities on Holding 2008 Republican National Convention

For Immediate Release
September 27, 2006

DNC Congratulates Twin Cities on Holding 2008 Republican National Convention

Washington, DC - The Democratic National Committee congratulates the Twin Cities on the announcement that it will host the 2008 Republican National Convention.

"We want to congratulate the Twin Cities. The DNC was thrilled to have three great American cities submit strong bids for the 2008 Democratic National Convention. We are looking forward to working with Denver and New York as we make our final decision. The Twin Cities is a great community and this announcement is good news for the cities," said Democratic National Committee Press Secretary Stacie Paxton.

RNC Site Selection Committee To Recommend Minneapolis – St. Paul For 2008 Republican National Convention

Wednesday, September 27, 2006

RNC Site Selection Committee To Recommend Minneapolis – St. Paul For 2008 Republican National Convention

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Republican National Committee today announced that its Site Selection Committee has voted to recommend Minneapolis-St. Paul to host the 2008 Republican National Convention, pending the successful negotiation of the Site City Agreement. The full RNC will vote on the recommendation at its Winter Meeting in January, 2007. The convention will be held September 1-4, 2008.

"We are thrilled to accept the bid from Minneapolis-St. Paul to host our 2008 convention. The host committee put together a tremendous bid and we are confident that we will partner for a successful event. Minneapolis-St. Paul has outstanding assets including state-of-the-art facilities, exciting and vibrant downtowns, and a clear enthusiasm from the community to host our convention," said RNC Chairman Ken Mehlman.

The Site Selection Committee reviewed bids from four cities: Cleveland, Minneapolis-St. Paul, New York City, and Tampa-St. Petersburg. The Committee visited the four cities in August.

The committee's decision was based on an independent and objective scorecard that committee members reviewed thoroughly. The committee looked at a number of factors such as the number and proximity of hotels, size of the arena and its capacity to hold the convention, transportation, security, media work space, convention office space, and ability to finance the operation.

The Site Selection Committee is made up of nine RNC members. Two members are elected from each of four regions and RNC Co-Chair Jo Ann Davidson chairs the committee.

Twin Cities Selected As Site Of 2008 RNC Convention

Washington, D.C. – The Republican National Committee made an announcement this afternoon regarding the 2008 Republican National Convention.  RNC Chairman Ken Mehlman and RNC Co-Chairman Jo Ann Davidson hosted a press conference call today, Wednesday September 27, 2006 at 3:00 pm CDT.

"I am pleased to announce that the Site Selection Committee of the Republican National Committee met today and has decided to begin negotiations with the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul to be our host for the 2008 Republican National Convention," said Chairman Jo Ann Davidson.

PARTICIPANTS: RNC Chairman Ken Mehlman, RNC Co-Chairman Jo Ann Davidson, Minnesota Senator Norm Coleman, Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty, Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak, and Saint Paul Mayor Chris Coleman.

Second Pawlenty Ad Touts Support For Education

New Pawlenty Ad Touts Support for 70% in Classroom

(St. Paul) ­ New Communications Director Brian McClung unveiled the second television ad of the Pawlenty for Governor campaign, titled "In the Classroom." It starts running today in the Twin Cities, Rochester, Moorhead and Mankato media markets.

"We're funding our schools at a record level, but we also have to hold them accountable for results and ensure that the money is well-spent," Governor Pawlenty said. "That's why it's important to get at least 70 percent of the money the state spends on education directly to the classroom, where it matters most."

The ad touts Governor Pawlenty's proposal to require that at least 70 percent of school funds be spent in the classroom and that no more than 30 percent be spent in areas such as administrative costs

Script: Governor Pawlenty: Our kids deserve the best education. So let's increase funding for our schools, but let's also hold them accountable for better results. Let's put at least 70% of the money here. In the classroom. Not here. On more bureaucracy. Here. On kids. KID: Hi. Governor Pawlenty: Not here. Minnesotans deserve that kind of accountability. But I'm the only candidate who'll fight for it.