Republicans pick New York City as site of 2004 convention

WASHINGTON -- Republican Party leaders on Monday chose New York as the site for their 2004 presidential nominating convention.

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg called the decision "a tremendous boost for the city."

"New York is exactly the right place for the president and for the Republican Party," Bloomberg said. The convention will be held the week of Aug. 30. "The labor unions have been exceptionally helpful in assuring the Republican Party that the convention will go forward with all of the efficiencies" the party wanted, he said.

Tampa-St. Petersburg, Fla., and New Orleans had been among the finalists along with New York. But New York had been considered a favorite for several months.

Democrats announced earlier they would hold their convention in Boston during the week of July 26. The GOP convention will be held during the week of Aug. 30.

New York was recommended by the RNC's Site Selection Committee. That move in practical terms resolved the issue of convention location, although the party must still reach a contract with the city and conduct a vote of the full 165-member RNC.

Marc Racicot, chairman of the Republican National Committee, and Ellen Williams, chairwoman of the party's site selection committee made the announcement following a conference call Monday.

The full RNC will act on the recommendation at its winter meeting from Jan. 29-Feb. 1.

New York Gov. George Pataki said, "The Republican National Committee's selection of New York City to host the Republican National Convention in 2004 is yet another sign of the confidence people have in New York and sends a message to America and the world that New York is back."

New York had plenty of advantages because of Bloomberg, who is a Republican, its many hotel rooms and the attention it got as a result of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. But GOP officials had logistical questions, such as how the city would house large numbers of media representatives who would be covering the event.

Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, the president's brother, had pushed hard for Florida to get the convention, but Republican officials also worried about possible protests in the state because of the contested 2000 presidential elections.

New Orleans had many advantages as a convention city, but Republicans lost a close and bitterly contested Senate runoff election a month ago when Democratic Sen. Mary Landrieu held off a determined challenge from Republican Suzanne Terrell.

Pat Brister, the Louisiana Republican Party chairman, said she did not believe Landrieu's victory had anything to do with it.

"I know New York put together a good package," she said. "They certainly can do a convention. They have the hotels and facilities and New Orleans also can do that. I just think it was a business decision."

"We believe New York will provide an outstanding backdrop to showcase our candidate and our party in 2004," according to a GOP release.

Tampa Mayor Dick Greco called it "a very difficult choice" and said "it was a business decision, strictly a business decision, and all the cities could have furnished everything they needed."

Greco said the city would bid again in 2008.