The Radio Equalizer: Brian Maloney

27 September 2006

2008 GOP Convention, Al Franken

HEY, THAT'S MY TURF!

GOP Convention To Be Held In Franken's Backyard






Even though it seems unlikely their decision was related to his probable candidacy, how do you think Al Franken felt today after learning that the 2008 GOP Convention will be held in St Paul?

Since the Air America Radio host seems to think he owns the state of Minnesota (especially in a political sense), it's hard to imagine this news went over well with him.

Sure, he'll likely spin this to his advantage, probably claiming that the extra coverage will boost his 2008 US Senate chances.

At the same time, though, it shows that the Republican Party has made the upper Midwest region a top priority for this incredibly important election.

In addition, a large opposition presence in Franken's backyard could take attention away from a person who is clearly addicted to it.


Worst of all, this action bumps a potential Democrat Party convention in the Twin Cities, one that would have showcased Franken on his home turf, providing a major advantage.

One can imagine a major Frankensnit occuring as we speak.

From the AP, via the Washington Post:


By LIZ SIDOTI

WASHINGTON -- Republicans will hold their 2008 presidential convention in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis-St. Paul, choosing a location in the politically pivotal Midwest.

Party and state officials announced the selection Wednesday. The convention is slated for Sept. 1-4, 2008.

"This is fantastic news," Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty said. "We're very, very pleased."

Losing out were New York City, Cleveland and a joint bid from Tampa and St. Petersburg, Fla., other cities that had sought the convention.

The four-day event will be held at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minn., a concert venue and the home of the National Hockey League's Minnesota Wild.

Democrats also had been considering holding their convention in the Twin Cities but the Republican announcement left Democrats with two competing cities to choose from _ New York and Denver.

By picking the Twin Cities for 2008, the GOP will ensure plenty of news coverage in media markets in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa _ all battleground states in the 2004 election and ones expected to be competitive in the next presidential race.

"The heartland of America," said Sen. Norm Coleman, R-Minn. "Whoever wins those states is going to be the next president of the United States."

Minnesota had been seen by some as an unlikely host, with just 10 electoral votes and the nation's longest streak of voting for Democratic presidential candidates.


Photo: Jim Mone, AP - Images: Pete at IHillary and David A Lunde

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10 Comments:

  • This is fantastic news. There will be so much extra Republican news coverage here it will overshadow anything Frankenlies tries to say. What a great day for Minnesota!

    By Blogger The Benson Report, at 27 September, 2006 18:34  

  • Benson, I'll see that and say this is the ULTIMATE INSULT to Franken and his cronies.

    And Fritz Mondale and Paul Wellstone's family won't be happy either. Would I care about it? In a word, NO!

    By Blogger The Real Bob Anthony, at 27 September, 2006 19:49  

  • If there are even any Republicans left at that point.

    By Blogger hashfanatic, at 27 September, 2006 21:04  

  • ohh yeah, that will really matter. It mattered in NYC, right??? 20% of NYC voted for Bush after the filthy Republicans invaded MSG,( causing the workers at MSG to call in sick for the next month) with severe sickness. Who cares where their nazi convention is??? nobody

    By Blogger Minister of Propaganda, at 28 September, 2006 16:24  

  • Someone has to make the dealers of designer drugs and the prostitutes rich, because they were just about the only beneficiaries of that convention that New York City ever saw...

    Remember how they barred all the non-neocon journalists from reporting on it??

    God, Republicans are the most disgusting, filthy hypocrites on Earth.

    By Blogger hashfanatic, at 28 September, 2006 18:06  

  • I remember how the so-called free speech advocates of the Boston Democratic Convention kept all the protesters in a Stalag-13 type barbed wire enclosure. That was the convention fiasco where Kerry saluted and reported for duty.

    Who will care where the Republicans have their convention? Well, Al Franken is certainly one of the ones who cares and I bet he is totally pissed off right now.

    HaHaHa
    .

    By Blogger The Benson Report, at 28 September, 2006 22:00  

  • Isn't there a difference between a reporter and a protester, Benson?

    At a political convention?

    By Blogger hashfanatic, at 28 September, 2006 23:34  

  • Not from where I stand. They both have the freedom of speech granted by the United States First Amendment which permits absolute freedom, and places the burden upon the state to demonstrate when (if ever) censorship is necessary.

    By Blogger The Benson Report, at 29 September, 2006 02:49  

  • Remember that the next time Cindy Sheehan comes to town....

    By Blogger hashfanatic, at 29 September, 2006 07:10  

  • I think Al couldn't be happier that the Republicans are coming to him in 2008. It will be easy for him to be right on top of all the hyperbole and lies that will come spewing forth from the Ninth Circle of Hell - in his backyard!

    I'm willing to bet that the Twin Cities area was selected by the GOP, at least in part, because they think it will infuriate Franken.

    Personally, I think this is all much ado about nothing. Exactly what I expect out of a bunch of neo-cons. America as we knew and loved it is being whittled away, one right at a time, and all most of you can do is crow, "Oh, look, we're going to piss off Al Franken."

    Please grow up beyond the schoolyard, people. This is no way for adults to behave.

    -R. (the other half of The Evil Liberal Propaganda Network)

    By Blogger Minister of Propaganda, at 29 September, 2006 16:04  

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