In Our View: Welcome, GOP!

Already established is the fact that visiting Vancouver is good for Republicans. The GOP gathering through Saturday in downtown Vancouver is the largest non-presidential year state convention ever hosted by the Washington State Republican Party. We’d like to think this elephant stampede was sparked solely by the pachyderms’ passion for visiting our fair community.

Yet to be established, however, is how this event could impact future convention business here. We hope this long-term impact will be significant, but there’s no way of knowing for sure. So to enhance that convention-recruiting potential, we’ll follow our heartfelt “Welcome, Republicans!” with a sincere “Spread the word!”

The visiting Republicans represent a vast array of civic and business interests in large cities and small towns throughout the state. And with about 2,000 visitors (including about 1,600 party delegates) in town this week for the big convention, we’ll take this opportunity to remind conventioneers: When you return home, the next time you’re at a company meeting or a civic-club assembly, tell them what a great time you had in Vancouver. You can start with the warm hospitality that’s characteristic of our community. Why, we’re so friendly, we even allow Democrats inside the city limits! A whole slew of ’em are coming in two weeks for their state convention.

There must be something especially accommodating about Vancouver, for both rival parties to choose us as a convention site. Likely, it’s our flexible political nature. Yeah, we’re on the west side of the Cascades — which is the left side in more ways than just on your maps — but we’ve had a strong Republican spirit flowing through our elections. George W. Bush carried Clark County in both of his presidential elections. (In two weeks, we’ll eagerly remind the Democrats which presidential candidate carried the county in 2008).

Folks around here are also flexible in financial matters. Republican money is just as green as Democrat money, as far as we’re concerned. And we don’t let a little ol’ recession dampen our recruiting efforts. This very month, we’ve got five conventions coming to town, with at least 3,200 delegates and probably 4,000 or more total visitors. This is expected to generate more than $2 million in local tourism dollars, perhaps not enough to impress the bigger cities, but certainly great news to the more than 4,000 local people who work in the hospitality businesses.

While you’re here, Republicans, take special note of our glorious Esther Short Park, just across the street from the Hilton. Chances are, you’ll wander over there more than once. A full day of events is scheduled at the park today, Friday. Esther Short Park is one of our community’s many attributes that keep us from being one of those bland suburbs of a big city. The town-square park helps define our personality. Walk a couple of laps around it. Gaze up at the majestic trees. Stop by the gazebo. And marvel at what can really happen when a city decides to help its heart beat more vibrantly. That kind of recovery takes many years of planning and hard work, and no small measure of public spending. And we’re not through. Next time you visit, you’ll probably see our redeveloped waterfront taking shape.

Republican Party State Chairman Luke Esser has said this convention “provides a tremendous opportunity to accelerate the ‘Republican Resurgence’ that is sweeping across our state and nation.” His enthusiasm is understandable. We suppose it could be matched in intensity by the donkeys who arrive in two weeks.

Resurgence is good for political parties of all stripes. And there’s no better epicenter for that kind of spirit than downtown Vancouver.