The Republican Party's decision to hold their 2008 national convention in Minneapolis and Saint Paul is the first time the Twin Cities have held a national convention since the GOP conclave in 1892 renominated Benjamin Harrison for the presidency (he lost to Grover Cleveland).
The political strategy behind this is twofold, concerning location and timing. First, the choice of location should not be seen as simply an attempt to target the state of Minnesota for political persuasion by the GOP in 2008. The bordering swing states of Iowa and Wisconsin are also targets of this convention strategy. The Twin Cities lie close to the Wisconsin border and their media market extends far into Western Wisconsin. The Iowa border is two hours south of the Twin Cities and Iowa media will give the convention heavy play. In the three state area, the Twin Cities is the largest population center and is centrally located.
Second, the timing of the decision reveals two goals. First and most obviously, the GOP seeks to preempt national Democratic efforts to convene in the Twin Cities. But also, the announcement gives Minnesota GOP candidates in 2006, particularly incumbent GOP governor Tim Pawlenty who is locked in a tight reelection race, something to crow about. Minnesotans tend to believe they don't get the national attention they and their state deserve, and this national GOP decision may curry favor with Minnesota voters by shining a spotlight on the state.
-- Guest contributor Steve Schier is a professor of political science at Carleton College and a commentator for Minnesota Public Radio.
September 27, 2006
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