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Cleveland Only Ohio City In Bid For GOP Convention

Cleveland is the only Ohio city in contention to host the 2016 Republican National Convention, after Cincinnati formally withdrew its bid on Thursday due to a lack of adequate convention facilities. Kabir Bhatia of member station WKSU in Kent reports.

Las Vegas and Cincinnati dropped out this afternoon. Cincinnati says its USBank Arena needs $20 million in upgrades to remain competitive.
Columbus was eliminated in an earlier round, so that leaves Cleveland competing with Dallas, Denver and Kansas City. All four will get site visits next month.
University of Akron Political scientist Dave Cohen says Cleveland would be a good bet for Republicans hoping to neutralize some of the overwhelmingly Democratic voters in Cuyahoga County, which essentially won the 2012 election for President Obama. But Cohen adds that should Gov. Kasich begin a run for the White House, Cleveland’s chances could actually suffer.
“Being a favorite son, certainly Gov. Kasich would have a real advantage in Ohio.  And it probably would be worth their while to go elsewhere.  However, he’s made no indication he’s running for president.  If anything, [he’s] probably more of a contender to be a vice-presidential nominee.”
And that could still lead Republicans here in two years.  But Democrats are also considering Cleveland—and Columbus – plus 13 other cities to host their 2016 get-together.  Of the two Ohio cities, Cohen gives Cleveland the edge for bringing out the Democratic base.
 

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