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GOP scrutinizes bid by New York
By BILL ADAIR and DAVID KARP WASHINGTON -- Republicans are focusing on unresolved questions about New York's bid to host their 2004 national convention, but they say Tampa is still very much in the running. During a conference call Thursday, the GOP site-selection panel discussed questions about New York's proposal, such as how a large building near Madison Square Garden could be used as a media center, according to Republicans familiar with the call. Those questions are not considered deal-breakers, however. Party officials say they just want them resolved before a decision is made. During the call, the panel had relatively few questions about Tampa's bid. Most issues were resolved last week when leaders of the Tampa effort visited the White House. Kevin Sheridan, a spokesman for Republican Party, declined to comment on the details of Thursday's discussions. He said committee members "are just resolving details of the proposals to get to the point where they know everybody has put their final mark on each aspect." Sheridan said the conference call was "a very positive discussion. However, no final decision has been made." The committee is resolving logistical and financial questions about the proposals from Tampa, New York and New Orleans. Next week, they will move to the final stage, where they focus more on the political aspects of each city. They say their goal is to pick the city that will provide the biggest boost for President Bush's re-election campaign. A decision is expected within the next two weeks. Karl Rove, President Bush's chief political adviser, is likely to play a crucial role in selecting the city. Tampa Bay host committee co-chair Al Austin remained hopeful Thursday that the party would pick Tampa. "We're still optimistic," Austin said. "I feel Tampa is still very much in play." The Republicans want New York officials to explain how they would use the James A. Farley Post Office Building across from Madison Square Garden as a convention media center. In October, the state of New York announced plans to buy the post office building for $230-million and convert part of it into a new Penn Station, the city train station. But the transaction hasn't been completed. The party wants assurances that the building's future owner will create space for the 14,000 journalists expected to cover the convention. Officials also want to build a temporary bridge to link the building to Madison Square Garden. Postal Service spokeswoman Diane Todd said officials are discussing the idea and want to cooperate with the Republican National Committee. "Nothing has been firmed up," Todd said. New York's looming $6.4-billion budget shortfall also may present problems for Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Bloomberg announced plans to raise property taxes by 18 percent, even as he said he planned cuts to city services, including police and fire. In an unusual twist unrelated to the convention but indicating the seriousness of New York's financial crisis, the chairman of the New York City Council sent Tampa City Council chairman Charlie Miranda a letter recently about its budget crisis, seeking help to lobby the federal government for more funds. Similar letters were sent to other cities. But New York's financial package to lure the Republican convention spares no expense. According to a copy of the New York proposal obtained by the St. Petersburg Times, Bloomberg guaranteed that taxpayers would cover the difference if fundraisers fall behind in raising $71.5-million for a Big Apple convention. That's something that Tampa Mayor Dick Greco would not do. The city of Philadelphia bailed out RNC fundraisers with an interest-free loan when they fell behind schedule for the 2000 Republican National Convention. Tampa's organizers got local banks to guarantee pledges. Bloomberg also promised to provide the Republican Party with $20-million worth of free city police services and $2.5-million for private security, according to the New York bid document. In Tampa, organizers want the Florida Legislature to appropriate $10-million and local governments to give $5-million from local hotel bed taxes in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties. An additional $6.8-million would come from government in-kind services such as free overtime of police officers in the Tampa Bay area. Members of Florida's congressional delegation have been lobbying on Tampa's behalf. Rep. C.W. Bill Young, R-Largo, made a pitch last week to Ken Mehlman, the White House political director. Young said Mehlman didn't reveal any leanings but said party leaders "were really impressed with the presentation made by Tampa. They were actually pleasantly surprised."
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From the Times wire desk Republican Convention
From the AP |
