JAX potential new host of 2020 GOP convention

[JaxAvondale]

https://twitter.com/maggienyt/status/1269264437594251264?s=21

Jax has a better chance of hosting the convention than I previously thought.

[thelakelander]

A part of the convention or the entire thing? I read something early about them splitting it into multiple cities, including leaving some functions in Charlotte.

[JaxJersey-licious]

And then there were...I dunno...several? Looks like Dallas is bowing out from pursuing this at all.

https://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/2020/06/05/dallas-mayor-not-interested-in-trump-packing-an-arena-for-gop-convention-during-covid-19-pandemic/

https://twitter.com/maggienyt/status/1269264437594251264?s=21

Jax has a better chance of hosting the convention than I previously thought.

From that Twitter feed, a new convention site recommendation...

Lake Of The Ozarks 

[thelakelander]

Bring it! Can't wait to see the local theater show go national.

[MusicMan]

Jax is not hosting this convention. Where' everyone gonna stay? At the Berkman II?  Campers on one of Lenny's lawns?  We would look like CaCa to anyone paying attention. But it would be a great way to feature the new SkyWay clown cars!

Just curious, how many new hotels built downtown since the Super Bowl?

[jaxlongtimer]

I am not a fan of Jax doing this.

However, if one assumes they need only 10,000 to 15,000 attendees to fill the arena to serve as a TV backdrop for Trump's photo ops (viewers likely couldn't easily determine the size of the hall from TV and the GOP would probably be satisfied to show every seat taken/standing room only, a more attainable advantage of a smaller arena [and allowing Trump to brag more wanted to come but they couldn't seat them all  ]), Jax could easily handle that.  It would be a pittance compared to Florida-Georgia or the Super Bowl.  And, unlike the Super Bowl, you may not have as many high rollers demanding 5-star accommodations so many more rooms could meet their standards.  If you take in the entire region, quite a few more hotel rooms have been built in the suburbs since the Super Bowl as Jax has grown so we shouldn't have any issues subject to COVID-19 social distancing and the health authorities feeling comfortable with any GOP plans.   Logistics and activities outside of the convention hall could be a more of an issue. 

If the GOP doesn't follow good practices and many of the delegates catch COVID while attending, I would think most would likely be back home before the worst hit them relieving local hospitals of the burden created.  Not wishing anyone ill will but they would all know the risk of attending.  The question would be what the COVID impact would be on us local residents and what would be done to protect our community.  This is obviously the main issue in Charlotte and we should have the same concerns here.

As an aside, the GOP may have a bigger problem than the location as I am reading some of their potential "delegates" are not exactly clamoring to attend given many are over 60 and don't want to risk attending.  Some states are having issues filling out their delegations:

Because of the uncertainty regarding the details and city for the convention as well as the coronavirus pandemic, some states are struggling to fill their delegate spaces. Many people who had planned to attend the convention are in the at-risk age group, and they seem to feel wary of attending due to the expected large crowds. Some states also received applications from unknown Republicans, and they weren't confident the people who applied were pro-Trump delegates. In 2016, the RNC did not fully support Trump's nomination, and some people booed, so the 2020 convention is seen as a chance for Trump to have the party's full support.

https://www.inquisitr.com/6096647/donald-trump-gop-delegates/

[thelakelander]

Just curious, how many new hotels built downtown since the Super Bowl?

No hotel rooms have been completed in DT since the super bowl. Two hotels are currently under some level of construction now. A La Quinta Inn and Residence Inn by Marriott.

[vicupstate]

Jax is not hosting this convention. Where' everyone gonna stay? At the Berkman II?  Campers on one of Lenny's lawns?  We would look like CaCa to anyone paying attention. But it would be a great way to feature the new SkyWay clown cars!

Just curious, how many new hotels built downtown since the Super Bowl?

CRUISE SHIPS !!  Hello !

[Snaketoz]

How about some of those trailers leftover from Katrina?

[jaxlongtimer]

CRUISE SHIPS !!  Hello !

Carnival has one and NCL has 3 or 4 parked at JaxPort.  Many have (sarcastically?) suggested the GOP move their convention to a cruise ship so Jax could make everyone happy with a hybrid convention location.  Haha.

[MusicMan]

Cruise Ships....the Original Floating Petri Dish!

The SS COVID-19

[vicupstate]

Cruise Ships....the Original Floating Petri Dish!

The SS COVID-19

Exactly. No better way to own the libs!

[marcuscnelson]

Is it at all wrong that I kinda want them to do it, just for the spectacle of it all?

I imagine it'd be pretty entertaining to watch what the collision of municipal corruption and federal corruption in a city with little to no preparation amidst a global pandemic and widespread civil unrest looks like.

If it's going to be a mess anyway, let's grab some popcorn, enjoy the show, and record it for the history books.

[vicupstate]

https://politicalwire.com/2020/06/08/states-court-trump-to-host-gop-convention/

On Monday, a team of Republican National Committee and campaign officials visited Jacksonville to tour and assess the city. Multiple sources told CNN that Jacksonville was currently one of the leading contenders to host the convention.

While the city's Mayor Lenny Curry pitched Jacksonville as the next convention host on Twitter last week, Florida allies had begun reaching out to the White House over the possibility weeks ago.

The scramble to find a new home for the convention comes after tense negotiations between Republican officials and officials from North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper's office broke down last week. Trump, over the last two weeks, started to target Cooper because he refused to lift social distancing guidelines and allow massive crowds inside the host arena, a strategy that Republicans have said looks to turn the Democratic governor into a scapegoat should the convention not be able to go off as planned due to coronavirus.

As CNN previously reported, the RNC will still have to hold some formal portions of the convention in Charlotte due to contractual obligations. However, the performative aspects -- such as Trump's speech accepting the nomination -- are expected to take place elsewhere.

In an interview in May, Trump accused Cooper of "playing politics" by delaying opening the state from measures meant to limit the spread of the coronavirus. Shortly afterward, Florida Republican Rep. Mike Waltz called the President and made a personal pitch to bring the convention to the Sunshine State, a source familiar with the conversation told CNN.

Waltz, whose district sits just south of Jacksonville, also followed up his argument in person when he traveled with Trump on Air Force One to the Kennedy Space Center, the source said. The call was first reported by Politico.

DeSantis, who talks to the President regularly, told Fox last week that the state was ready to host the event.

"We'll be able to make those decisions about what precautions need to be taken as you get closer, but to just rule out a convention at this stage, I think, is a mistake," DeSantis said. "So we've said we want to get to 'yes' on it, and I think you'll be able to do it."

In Georgia, Republican Gov. Brian Kemp spent the day in Savannah with Republican National Convention officials, including president and CEO Marcia Lee Kelly, giving a tour of the city.

Kemp has been in touch with White House staff since the President voiced his frustrations with Cooper on Twitter. Kemp released a statement that read, in part, "We are honored to offer a truly unmatched experience to the Republican National Convention. With renowned southern hospitality, first-class facilities, and a top-notch work force, 'The Hostess City of the South' will leave a lasting impression on Marcia Lee Kelly and her team."

One official familiar with these conversations between state and city officials and the RNC described them as unorganized, with RNC leadership nervous about getting out in front of Trump.

[avonjax]

I think DeSatan also mentioned Miami and Orlando as possible Florida sites.

Desatan???   

and that's a compliment. I am extremely opposed to this. Don't forget that this will draw plenty of protesters also. We don't need this crap.