Dear editor,
Some Kansas City leaders aren’t embracing pursuit of the 2024 Republican National Convention and the publicity it would accrue. I understand the reluctance.
In 1976, with the Vietnam experience essentially history, I attended the GOP convention in Kansas City on behalf of The Register. I was excited and intrigued to write daily reports from, as much as possible, local angles. Mary Alice Lair, Republican stalwart from Piqua, was in attendance, as was Gary Rice, a 1970 grad of Iola High who was assigned by the Kansas City Star. He and I were among 6,000 reporters covering every possible angle.
I also rubbed shoulders with several national-level reporters, including a visit with Tom Brokaw, in an area set aside for media use, always a nice benefit for scribes.
Opposition to Kansas City hosting the convention rests on the proliferation of contentiousness in politics and vivid memories of the riot — what else could it be called? — fomented by far-right Republicans at the Capitol on Jan. 6. Also, costs-to-benefits must be weighed, and those opposed are convinced the sum flies far short of Kansas City’s advantage.
Bob Johnson,
Humboldt
