WASHINGTON, Dec. 16 (UPI) -- Next summer's Republican convention in New York may feature a rotating speakers' platform for the first time, the GOP told reporters Tuesday.
About 1,000 journalists attended the GOP convention walkthrough at Madison Square Garden, where the Republican National Convention is scheduled Aug. 30-Sept. 2 to renominate President George W. Bush for a second term.
Mike Miller, convention director of operations, said that will be the latest the convention ever has been held, ending two months before the Nov. 2 election.
Under one plan outlined by Miller, the arena floor would be elevated 9 1/2 feet to accommodate a 6-foot-high, rotating speakers platform. Two other designs feature more traditional platforms against one side of the hall. Miller said a decision on a design is expected by the end of February.
He said about 45,000 to 50,000 people are expected to attend the convention, including 2,500 delegates and 2,500 alternates, along with approximately 16,000 journalists.
Bill Harris, convention CEO, said the GOP was excited to be in New York despite the fact he mainly was dealing with Democrats in producing the event.
Said Harris: "We believe the president and the party have a vision for America, and that New York is the absolute best place to share that vision for the American people. Although the majority of people I deal with in New York are Democrats, I've found extraordinary support for this event from all sectors of this city."
