Minnesota Stampede

With Democrats competing, Republicans can kick back and plan a party

by Mary F. Patel

While the Democrats scramble, trying to decide between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, the Republicans are enjoying a more relaxing experience as they prepare for their national convention in Minneapolis in September.

Though Democratic convention operatives are convinced that their party will have a nominee in time for their dog-and-pony show in Denver in August, the GOP is pleased they can already focus on their main guy, John McCain.

Evan M. Lopez

"It's like planning a dinner party," said Matt Burns, communications director for the GOP convention. "It's good to know the guest of honor."

Burns says the GOP chose Minneapolis and St. Paul not only because the Twin Cities have enough accommodations and facilities for the thousands who plan to descend there, but for strategic political reasons, as well.

"McCain will do well there with votes, just like Iowa," he says.

Burns won't reveal much information about opening-night events, or if any notables will be attending. "Everything is still in the planning stages," he says.

Traditionally, a sitting president makes a big appearance on the opening night of his party's convention; Burns will not confirm if President George W. Bush will attend, but it's highly likely he will.

Republican National Committee Chairman Robert M. ("Mike") Duncan has appointed California Congressman Kevin McCarthy chairman of the convention platform committee. Steven Duffield, senior policy adviser and chief counsel to Senate GOP Whip Jon Kyl of Arizona, will serve as the platform committee's executive director.

They will host more than 45,000 delegates, alternate delegates, media, guests and volunteers at St. Paul's Xcel Energy Center, Sept. 1-4. St. Paul and Minneapolis will receive an estimated infusion of about $150 million into their economies from the extravaganza. Several groups, including anti-war groups, have already announced their intentions to protest at the event (the RNC was subject to a large protest in New York City in 2004), and have met in Minnesota to discuss their plans.

The Republicans have recently held grander, more extravagant conventions than Democrats simply because they have more money to spend on them. Delegates are treated well, and are fêted at more lavish events.

Past conventions have included high-end cocktail parties at exclusive restaurants in Gramercy Park in New York City (in 2004), high teas at the Ritz-Carlton in Philly (2000) and a champagne bash hosted by billionaire Steve Forbes in Balboa Park in San Diego (1996).

This and That

Interesting choice of keynote speakers at the annual Equality Forum dinner last Saturday night at the National Constitution Center.

New Mexico Gov. and former Democratic presidential contender Bill Richardson was the notable speaker of the evening, following Gov. Ed Rendell.

Both are longtime advocates for gay rights, but Rendell is supporting Hillary Clinton for president while Richardson is backing Obama. Despite a perception that Obama is more conservative than Clinton on gay issues, the two candidates have similar views. Both support civil unions and hate-crime legislation.

A more interesting dynamic is the one between Richardson and Rendell, who have gone on Sunday morning spin shows to shill for their candidates and wound up sparring with each other.

Though the two governors agree that both the Clinton and Obama campaigns have gone completely negative, they've found themselves arguing over issues.

So it was funny to see Rendell give a drippy, laudatory introduction to Richardson at the dinner.

Equality Forum Executive Director Malcolm Lazin says the Forum's committee selected Richardson as the keynote last September.

"It was presumed then that Clinton would be the nominee," explains Lazin, adding that the controversy between the govs was unexpected, "especially since Richardson served as President Bill Clinton's energy secretary and his ambassador to the United Nations."

(rcpatel@aol.com)