Republicans are hearing Monday from cities vying to host the party's 2016 national convention, and GOP officials are making it clear money and logistics matter most.
"This has always needed to be a business decision.," said former Rep. Enid Greene Mickelsen, chairwoman of the site selection committee. "We're trying to create the most stable and convenient platform for our nominee to present himself."
Politics matters less. After all, said party chairman Reince Priebus, Democrats "had their convention in Charlotte (in 2012). Who won North Carolina? Mitt Romney."
And President Barack Obama won Florida, after Republicans had their convention in Tampa.
Republicans are hearing Monday from officials representing Kansas City, Phoenix, Denver, Columbus and Cleveland.
Later this month, Cincinnati, Dallas and Las Vegas are expected to make presentations. A final decision is expected in late summer.