Will The Political Circus Return to Minnesota in 2012?

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Minneapolis is one of four cities the Democratic party will pick from to host its 2012 convention, the one where President Barack Obama might be nominated for a second time.  Also in the running are Cleveland, St. Louis and Charlotte, NC.

You'd be forgiven for wondering why the Twin Cities would want to host another political shindig so soon after the Republicans left town in 2008.  For one thing, it was St. Paul that had the honor of hosting Sarah Palin's coming-out party.  But TV viewers, weaned on years of watching sports telecasts, thought it was in Minneapolis.  This time, Minneapolis wants its own shot at glory, having not hosted a convention since 1892.

The main venue for the convention  might be the Metrodome, now that it no longer has baseball.  But what if the Minnesota Vikings succeed in getting a new football stadium, which would likely be built at or near the site of the Dome?  Well, they could always sign a short-term lease once they get Legislative approval.  Or they could be in Los Angeles by then.

Another question mark has to do with the political climate.  In the last few presidential elections, the road to the White House has gone through Ohio and Florida because of their large bloc of electoral votes.  This is why the GOP has already picked Tampa, Florida for its next convention, and why the Democrats are seriously considering Cleveland.

Minnesota has 10 electoral votes, which went to Obama in '08.  But if Governor Tim Pawlenty has a serious shot at the GOP presidential nomination, that could change.

Besides, do the Democrats really want to saddle Obama or whoever it nominates with a losers' image?  Certainly they're aware that Cleveland's sports teams haven't won a championship since 1964, and its fans have endured a lot since then.  Now they're waiting on pins and needles to see if LeBron James signs with another NBA team.  At least there's still the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

But that's just Cleveland.  St. Louis is in Missouri, another swing state for the Democrats, as well as being much closer to Obama's hometown of Chicago.  Charlotte is the longest shot in this group because North Carolina is considered GOP territory.

Whichever city the Democrats choose will face a myriad of challenges in terms of venues, accommodations for delegates, security, etc.  The Twin Cities have already done that once before, and they're hoping to get another chance to do it again.