Minneapolis a finalist to host 2012 Democratic convention
Minneapolis is among four finalists to host the 2012 Democratic National Convention.
The four finalists were revealed by national Democratic Party Chairman Tim Kaine in an e-mail sent on Wednesday. Also contending are St. Louis, Cleveland and Charlotte.
Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak said the event could bring jobs and millions of dollars to the city.
"It also is especially important to have a convention for the reelection of a sitting president of whatever party because there's less focus on horse trading and more focus on the parties, the hospitality and the things that generate the real money back to the area," the mayor said.
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Rybak said a site selection committee will visit Minneapolis on July 18. He plans to show them attractions like a Minnesota Twins game.
Rybak said he also wants to emphasize the city's public transit system.
President Barack Obama is expected to be nominated for a second term.
Rybak said Minneapolis learned a lot from the 2008 Republican convention in St. Paul, and those lessons will come in handy as the city fights to host the Democratic convention.
Republicans will hold their 2012 convention in Tampa, Fla.
(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)