RNC picks Twin Cities for 2008; Convention siting a strategic decision, GOP says.(NATION)

Byline: Ralph Z. Hallow, THE WASHINGTON TIMES

Minnesota's Twin Cities, Minneapolis and St. Paul, will host the Republican Party's 2008 nominating convention from Sept. 1 to Sept. 4, Ken Mehlman, the party's national chairman said yesterday.

The RNC's site-election committee rejected elaborate bids from New York the site of the highly successful 2004 Republican convention and secret favorite of many Republican officials and operatives as well as from Cleveland and a joint bid from Tampa and St. Petersburg, Fla.

Party leaders yesterday called their choice a strategically important decision.

"Republicans will choose their presidential nominee …

RNC picks Twin Cities for 2008; Convention siting a strategic decision, GOP says.(NATION)

Byline: Ralph Z. Hallow, THE WASHINGTON TIMES

Minnesota's Twin Cities, Minneapolis and St. Paul, will host the Republican Party's 2008 nominating convention from Sept. 1 to Sept. 4, Ken Mehlman, the party's national chairman said yesterday.

The RNC's site-election committee rejected elaborate bids from New York the site of the highly successful 2004 Republican convention and secret favorite of many Republican officials and operatives as well as from Cleveland and a joint bid from Tampa and St. Petersburg, Fla.

Party leaders yesterday called their choice a strategically important decision.

"Republicans will choose their presidential nominee …