Excerpts from the story:
Fresh from its success in hosting Super Bowl XL, Detroit was asked Wednesday to bid for the 2008 Republican National Convention, a gathering that brings tens of millions of dollars to the local economy.
"Hosting a national convention is a major undertaking that requires a substantial amount of planning and a significant financial commitment and we appreciate your city's consideration," wrote Ken Mehlman, chairman of the Republican National Committee, in a letter this week to Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick.
In all, 31 cities received invitations to bid for the convention to nominate the GOP presidential candidate to run in 2008. The 2004 GOP convention in New York drew about 50,000 people.
Detroit was home to the 1980 GOP National Convention that launched Ronald Reagan into the presidency.
Democrats are also eyeing Detroit as a potential site for their 2008 convention. Boston hosted the party's 2004 presidential nominating convention, which attracted about 35,000 delegates, media, staff and others who dropped more than $126 million into the local economy.
"Detroit would be an excellent site for the 2008 Democratic National Convention," said Jason Moon, spokesman for the Michigan Democratic Party. "And the (2005 Major League Baseball) All-Star Game and now the Super Bowl proved that Detroit would be a tremendous host for any major event."
Moon said Detroit is one of about a dozen cities in contention to host the gathering.
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