I've just read the most interesting thing about the choice of New York for the Republican convention:
After 9/11, I recall Guiliani (or possibly Bloomberg) asking both parties to hold their conventions in New York. The idea was to show the world that New York was NOT crippled by the attack, that all Americans stood with those who were hit the hardest by 9/11, and a colossal "FU" to the terrorists. I thought it was a fantastic idea. A lot of people thought it was a fantastic idea. The Republicans immediately agreed -- and that was HUGE. New York CIty has always been a fortress of Democrats, despite the last two mayors, and the GOP had never gone to the Big Apple. But they heard the city's call and answered.
The Democratic National Committee, however, had it's own agenda. They told New York that they'd be glad to come to New York, but only if they disinvited the Republicans. They didn't want to share any possible gains with being so close to 9/11's Ground Zero with the Republicans.
New York, to it's credit, told the Democrats to shove it, and they did
Is this true? I googled around a bit and couldn't find anything. But I couldn't come up with what I thought would be a good search phrase either.
So far as I know, Bloomberg held talks with both parties around November 2002 on promoting New York (just as other cities, Boston, Miami etc, held talks).
As to what he said, or what swayed either party; I do not have that information and any further comment would be conjecture. There appear to be a variety of suggestions across the Web (for example, space available and financial reasons) but nothing beyond conjecture.
I can't find any reference to the WizBang story, so that may be conjecture too.
Posted by: James Casey | September 01, 2004 at 07:29 AM
For some info:
http://www.gwu.edu/%7Eaction/2004/chrnconv.html
No reference to bitter divisive Democrats here, but obviously there could be more to the story.
Posted by: Barbar | September 01, 2004 at 08:00 AM
OK, the Dems decided to go to Boston on November 13 2002, while the Republicans decided to go to NYC in January 2003.
Verdict: total bullshit.
Posted by: Barbar | September 01, 2004 at 08:07 AM
Let's see if this goes through (work webblocker seems to be down today): if so, ahem, language.
Posted by: Moe Lane | September 01, 2004 at 08:33 AM
My apologies.
Posted by: Barbar | September 01, 2004 at 08:44 AM
'SOK: it was an excuse to test my access, anyway. No biggie. :)
Posted by: Moe Lane | September 01, 2004 at 08:46 AM
Wizbang updated his post with a link to http://newyorkmetro.com/nymetro/news/rnc/9678/index.html.
Posted by: Freeven | September 01, 2004 at 04:58 PM
Read the link. It seems that the plan really was to have both there.
Posted by: Sebastian Holsclaw | September 01, 2004 at 09:55 PM