GOP Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis promoted his state as a possible host for the Republican National Convention in August, saying he’s hoping to “get to yes.”
“The shape of the epidemic is just simply going to be different. Hopefully, it’s a lot better, but I think we’ll be able to make those decisions about what precautions need to be taken as you get closer,” DeSantis said in an interview on Fox & Friends. “But to just rule out a convention at this stage, I think, is a mistake. So we’ve said we want to get to ‘yes’ on it, and I think you’ll be able to do it.”
President Trump announced on Tuesday that Republicans would be looking elsewhere for a convention site after North Carolina’s Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper, rejected the GOP’s plan for a full-fledged convention over coronavirus fears.
“Had long planned to have the Republican National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, a place I love. Now, @NC_Governor Roy Cooper and his representatives refuse to guarantee that we can have use of the Spectrum Arena – Spend millions of dollars, have everybody arrive, and then tell them they will not be able to gain entry,” Trump tweeted.
“Governor Cooper is still in Shelter-In-Place Mode, and not allowing us to occupy the arena as originally anticipated and promised. Would have showcased beautiful North Carolina to the World, and brought in hundreds of millions of dollars, and jobs, for the State.”
…then tell them they will not be able to gain entry. Governor Cooper is still in Shelter-In-Place Mode, and not allowing us to occupy the arena as originally anticipated and promised. Would have showcased beautiful North Carolina to the World, and brought in hundreds of…
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 3, 2020
Democrats immediately slammed the president for “abandoning” North Carolina.
“He has abandoned the people of North Carolina while refusing to acknowledge the severity of this pandemic,” Democratic National Committee spokeswoman Xochitl Hinojosa said in a statement.
Republicans from Florida, Georgia, Arizona, and Tennessee have been lobbying Trump for the right to host the event that is expected to take place from Aug. 24-27.
