I think it would be great for Northeast Ohio if Cleveland is selected to host the 2016 Republican National Convention.

It would be a chance for the city to shine in the national spotlight and to show off so many of the great things Cleveland has to offer.

Seven other cities also are finalists: Cincinnati, Columbus, Denver, Dallas, Kansas City, Las Vegas and Phoenix.

It would be equally magnificent if Cleveland instead was part of the mix for the 2016 Democratic National Convention. However, that’s not the case.

Aside from the politics, a convention would bring in millions of dollars in tourism to not only the city, but also to the region.

Visitors would need places to stay, eat, and spend some cash to enjoy a little bit of entertainment during their down time.

Along with a new convention center, there are several amenities like Lake Erie, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, Great Lakes Science Center, Horseshoe Cleveland casino and Progressive Field all right there downtown.

Branch out a little farther and you’ll find places such as the Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland Natural History Museum, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and The Rainforest, and West Side Market.

Inevitably visitors will need places to stay outside of Cleveland and they will likely go to places outside the city such as Lake and Geauga counties, where there also is much for a tourist to see and do.

Let’s also not forget the weather in Northeast Ohio is among the best in the country in June when you compare the average temperatures that feature a daily high temperate near 80 degrees.

Politically speaking, wouldn’t it be fun to have the big GOP players in town in what likely shapes up to be a presidential election with Ohio again a battleground state that could determine who wins the White House?

Democrats also would be energized as they would use the event to help contrast the differences between the two major parties and I would expect lots of planned activities as part of that effort.

How interesting would it be for Ohio gubernatorial front runners John Kasich or Ed FitzGerald?

Think about this, if the Republican Kasich is re-elected, wouldn’t be fascinating if he put his hat into the ring as a presidential candidate and the convention was held in his home state? Even if he didn’t run for president or figure to be nominated for the position, he likely would be an important player at the convention.

If the Democrat FitzGerald is elected governor, the convention would take place in his back yard where he served as a Lakewood mayor and as Cuyahoga County’s first county executive. It would give him the opportunity to showcase how much different the city and region truly is from some nationally negative perspectives that I don’t need to go into here.

For me, and other people who have never attended a convention, this would be a chance to see what it is all about. It would be great to cover as a journalist along with my Digital First Media colleagues and there would be many different angles for us to pursue.

Lynch staying in race

State Rep. Matt Lynch told me late last week that he is has no plans to drop out of the GOP primary against U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce in Ohio’s 14th Congressional District. Lynch said during an interview “I’m in it to win it” and he has no intentions of doing anything other than to win.

Visit my previous blog post http://bit.ly/1dIWA9e to read more.

Lake GOP Lincoln Day

Joyce is slated to be the keynote speaker for the Lake County Republican Party Lincoln Day Dinner and Silent Auction on March 19 at the American Croatian Lodge in Eastlake.

Fundies

• Lake County Commissioner Daniel P. Troy hosts Mardi Gras Party on Fat Tuesday, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. March 4 at LaMalfa Party Center. See Kip Molenaar.
• Dennis LoConti, candidate for Lake County Common Pleas Court judge, hosts a fundraiser from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. March 11 at LaMalfa Party Center. See LoConti.
• Chris Galloway, candidate for Lake County commissioner, hosts St. Patick’s Day fundraiser, starts at 5 p.m. March 15 at home of Dave and Beverly Vitaz in Concord Township. See Galloway.
• Lake County Commissioner Robert E. Aufuldish hosts St. Patrick’s Day Celebration, 5 to 7:30 p.m. March 20 at LaMalfa Party Center. See Kathie Aufuldish-Freshour or Ernie Koenig.
• Willoughby Hills Councilman David M. Fiebig hosts annual Spring Fever fundraiser, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. March 24 at Willoughby Hills Community Center. See Joyce Hribar Fiebig or John Plecnik.

John Arthur Hutchison
JHutchison@News-Herald.com
@newsheraldjah

It’s not all that often when the two major party presidential candidates speak at nearly the same time within the same state.

But that was the case Thursday in Ohio as President Barack Obama speak in Cleveland at Cuyahoga County Community College and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney addressed a crowd at a small business in Cincinnati.

Ohio will continue to be critical to both campaigns are the two candidates battle for the state’s 18 electoral votes as part of the required 270 needed to win.

Most presidential polls show Ohio as one of fewer than 10 states that are currently a toss-up — meaning neither Romney or Obama have a significant lead within them.

Electoral college maps posted online by various media outlets also show that Ohio is the second largest state still in play only behind Florida with 29 electoral votes up for grabs. The majority of states are considered to be solidly behind either Obama or Romney.

Romney finished up his remarks Thursday just before Obama took the stage at about 1:45 p.m., the Associated Press reported.

A Romney campaign spokeswoman accused the president of asking voters for a “do-over” on his campaign message that the private sector is “doing fine”.

“But it’s going to take more than a major economic speech to make Americans forget that President Obama has failed to deliver a major economic recovery,” said Romney spokeswoman Andrea Saul.

Obama argued that the November election is a chance to break a stalemate in Washington that has put a damper on progress. He said that both candidates have different fundamental views on which direction to take the economy.

“What’s holding us back is a stalemate in Washington between two fundamentally different views of which direction America should take and this election is your chance to break that stalemate,” Obama said, according to a speech transcript.

It is worth noting that U.S. Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, is from the Cincinnati area and has been mentioned by many as a possible vice presidential choice for Romney.

Many political observers note that a vice presidential candidate’s most important job initially is to help the presidential candidate win that state.

Portman issued a statement shortly after Obama concluded his remarks in Cleveland.

“Washington needs leadership to get the country back on track by enacting pro-growth tax reform, regulatory relief and a new national energy plan that uses our own resources in Ohio and around the country,” Portman said.

Former Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland, co-chair of Obama for America, also issued a statement after Obama’s speech.

“Ohioans know what’s at stake in this election, and it’s clear that the path laid out by the President is the right course for America’s economic future,” Strickland said.

Deadlines

The weekly deadline to submit information for consideration into this column is each Wednesday at 5 p.m. The preferred method is by email or fax. Have a fundraiser? Send it in weeks ahead of time.

Fundies

n Lake County Coroner Dr. Lynn Smith hosts a picnic from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Painesville Elks Club. See Ronald Taddeo or Jan Swetel.

n Bob Patterson, candidate for Lake County treasurer, fundraiser with special guest state Sen. John Eklund, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. June 28 at Historic Perkins Estate in Mentor. See Sandy Patterson.

n Euclid Mayor Bill Cervenik annual golf outing, shotgun start at 1 p.m. June 29 at Briardale Greens Golf Course, Euclid. See Beth Cervenik or Michael Gallagher.

n Judge Mary Jane Trapp, 11th District Court of Appeals Court, will host Night with the Captains at 6 p.m. July 11 at Classic Park in Eastlake. See Mike Apicella.

n David Fiebig, candidate for Lake County commissioner, golf outing July 13 at Black Brook golf course in Mentor 9:30 a.m., 5 p.m. dinner. See Dale Fellows or Cindy Quinn-Hopkins.

n Eastlake Mayor Ted Andrzejewski eighth annual golf outing 8:30 a.m. shotgun start July 13 at Pine Ridge Golf Course in Wickliffe. See Ted or Patricia Andrzejewski.

John Arthur Hutchison

JHutchison@News-Herald.com

Twitter: @newsheraldjah

President Barack Obama will travel to Cleveland for a campaign event Thursday afternoon at the Cuyahoga Community College Recreation Center.

The Obama for America campaign announced ticket distribution information for members of the public with additional event details for the public and for the media to be forthcoming.

The event is free and open to the public, but tickets are required for entrance. One ticket per person will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis.

To pick up a ticket, visit one of the following locations beginning today at 5 p.m.:
 
* Cuyahoga Community College Recreation Center, East 30th Street and Community College Avenue, Cleveland.

* Organizing for America Shaker Square Office, 13100 Shaker Sq. Cleveland.

* Organizing for America Parma Office, 5734 Ridge Rd., Parma.

* Cuyahoga County Democratic Party Headquarters, 1466 St. Clair, Cleveland.

John Arthur Hutchison

JHutchison@NewsHerald.com

Twitter: @newsheraldjah

Ohio Governor Ted Strickland today released the following statement in support of Cleveland hosting the 2012 Democratic National Convention.

The Democratic National Committee today announced Cleveland as a finalist along with Charlotte, Minneapolis and St. Louis.

"I can think of no better place to play host to a 2012 national political convention than the city of Cleveland," Strickland said. "Cleveland has a rich history, and arts, entertainment and cultural offerings that, along with Lake Erie, offer convention planners a menu of options and potential visitors the promise of a great experience. Perhaps most important, Cleveland provides the ideal backdrop for what is sure to be a historic convention as the city embodies the diversity and determined hope of America."

--- John Arthur Hutchison
JHutchison@News-Herald.com