Sep 10, 2007 10:29 am US/Central
RNC Planners Already Adjusting To 'Minn. Nice'
by Pat Kessler
St. Paul (WCCO) ―
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Planning is already underway to transform the Xcel Energy Center into the biggest stage in the world. (File)
Xcel Energy Center
The Republican National Convention is less than a year away and will bring tens of thousands of people to the Twin Cities next September.
Currently, there is already a small group setting up shop in town to get ready for the big event. Their offices have been set up in downtown St. Paul.
"They're empty now. About a year from now it's going to be bustling with activity," said communications director Matt Burns. "We're looking at 140 people, probably."
For now, Burns and only 14 other staffers are booking rooms, picking venues and doing what they need to do to get ready for the Republican's big show on Labor Day next year.
Planning is already underway to transform the Xcel Energy Center into the biggest stage in the world.
"It's the first time in 30 years that we've been back to the Midwest for a Republican Convention, and I think people are excited about that," said Maria Cino, who is in charge of these preparations, adding the headline for the event: "Republicans go back to the heartland to elect the next President of the United States."
Cino has been involved in planning the past three Republican Conventions, but she said this one -- because there are so many candidates with still no clear front-runner -- has the most potential for real excitement.
"Perhaps this becomes what we call a brokered convention, where we don't know who the candidate is until the actual convention happens here in Minneapolis-St. Paul," she said.
Cino added it's still too soon to name an outright theme for the convention, but new technology could play a significant role.
"I think every convention is different, whether it's a Republican convention or a Democratic convention, and that's I think the fun of it," she said. "You never really know what it's going to look like until you get closer to the actual date of the convention."
A veteran of Republican politics, Cino has been appointed by President Bush to jobs in Commerce and the Department of Transportation. The Buffalo, N.Y. native said her move to St. Paul feels a lot like home, but one thing stands out.
"I think I'm going to go with 'Minnesota Nice.' Everybody is extremely nice," she said. "I noticed one thing: people do not beep their horns, which is very interesting coming from New York. But it's been very very nice to work with all of the folks that we've been involved with."
While the convention will anoint a new party leader, there is already political chatter about the current Commander in Chief. Currently his approval ratings are low because of the war, and though the convention a year away, some wonder whether Bush will actually attend.
"Traditionally the sitting President -- Republican or Democrat -- does make a visit," said Cino. "But again, I think those details are to be worked out as we get closer and the nominee makes those decisions."
The Republican organizers are looking for
8,000 volunteers during the convention.
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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