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Three Things the Press Coverage of RNC Didn't Show You about the Twin Cities

by Josh Lew (RSS feed) on Sep 5th 2008 at 1:00PM

I'll admit, I was a bit excited that the Republican National Convention was held in Saint Paul. Not for any political reasons, but because the Twin Cities (where I've lived on and off throughout my life) might get a bit of positive press while in the national spotlight.

But it was not to be. Downtown Saint Paul became a "Green Zone" with most residents and visitors forced to remain outside. Things were noticeably tense elsewhere around town as well. The news coverage of events outside the Excel Energy Center was focused on the widespread protests and the heavy handed response of the police. That's not good press for the cities' tourism industry.

Trust me, most autumn days in the Twin Cities are quite pleasant. There are no men in helmets spraying mace and tear gas indiscriminately. Usually, Saint Paul's finest are busy enjoying the stereotypical pastry, accompanied by the appropriate hot beverage. As it should be. Here is what the coverage of the RNC didn't show you about St. Paul and Minneapolis.

1. They didn't show you a theater scene that goes well beyond Garrison Keillor's snooze-inducing A Prairie Home Companion. In fact, Minneapolis has more theaters per capita than any other place in the US, except New York. On a given weekend, there is everything from a big budget Broadway-style show to several experimental works to performances of classic American plays.
2. Prince isn't the only musician in town. The Purple One just started getting AARP Magazine, but the next generation of talent will continue to heat things up. Underground hip-hoppers Atmosphere have started a scene that has turned into something heavy on music and lyrics and light on thuggery (call it rap for people who don't like rap).
3. Sure, there is the Mall of America. It's what Minnesota is most famous for, besides the accents in the movie Fargo. But it's the coffee shops, neighborhood restaurants and lakes of South Minneapolis that really feel like an urban vacation spot.

So there. The Twin Cities are a nice place to visit. Just give them a miss next time a political convention comes to town.

Filed under: Festivals and Events

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Bill Sep 5th 2008 3:40PM

"There are no men in helmets spraying mace and tear gas indiscriminately." Do you get many anarchist punks (the same idiots who were in Denver) in the pleasant autumn days in the Twin Cities?
Bill

josh lew Sep 5th 2008 3:45PM

Yep Bill. Some people seemed to be in St. Paul just to protest for the fun of it (ie no agenda, just bored and/or unemployed). Most of the protesters were peaceful, but the media only covered the few who weren't.

Robert Blackie Sep 5th 2008 7:36PM

When the DNC came to Boston in 2004, it turned the city in to a ghost town. It was great for me (as a resident) since I had all the restaurants and stores along the busiest Boston thoroughfares to myself. It wasn't great for the businesses though, and it ruined the year for some of them.

Where this idea that conventions are great for cities and their economies in a post-9/11 country perplexes me. Nowadays I would think a convention would be the last thing any major U.S. city would ever want within its borders. Between the security precautions (they actually closed down parts of the central artery in Boston during the DNC), the protests, and the negative economic impact (not to mention the lackadaisical attitude paid to the host city by the press), it really makes bad economic sense. Just me take on the topic..