Memo to world: St. Paul's hosting GOP shindig, not What's-its-apolis

[goodhue]

http://www.startribune.com/587/story/709156.html

Once again, that other Twin City gets all the ink

Memo to world: It's St. Paul that's hosting this GOP shindig, not What's-its-apolis.

Curt Brown, Star Tribune

Last update: September 28, 2006 – 11:24 PM

As St. Paul steps into the glaring spotlight of national politics, the chip on the shoulder of the city's psyche keeps flaring up.

First, Republican National Committee Cochairwoman Jo Ann Davidson announced Wednesday "that Minneapolis was the best choice" to host her party's 2008 national convention. Then, the New York Times on Thursday added insult to (shoulder) injury with this headline: "G.O.P. Picks Minneapolis As '08 Site Of Convention."

Never mind that St. Paul's Xcel Energy Center, not the Target Center or Metrodome across the river, will serve as the convention's venue.

"Isn't that irritating?" St. Paul City Council President Kathy Lantry said.

"Maybe I'm being a little too sensitive, but why is it always Minneapolis-St. Paul instead of St. Paul-Minneapolis?"

While a truce in the age-old rivalry between the Twin Cities has been credited for helping land the convention, St. Paulites aren't thrilled at the prospect of two years of being considered Minnesota's lesser twin.

More at link:

http://www.startribune.com/587/story/709156.html
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PER DU RULES.

[tanyev]

1. If I lived in St. Paul I'd be grateful not to have my city

named as the host of the GOP convention.

[goodhue]

2. Yes, well, St. Paul is the city that elected Norm Coleman mayor

Twice. In 1993 they elected Norm as a democrat, and then in 1997 they reelected him as the first Republican mayor in St. Paul in over 25 years.

I'm from Minneapolis, so I don't really understand the St. Paul mindset.

[Branjor]

3. St. Paul is the state capital....

funny to think of it as the lesser twin of Minneapolis.

But then again, Albany is the capital of New York and it sure is "lesser" than NYC!

[goodhue]

5. St. Paul vs. Minneapolis

From a decidely St. Paul perspective . . .

St. Paul vs. Minneapolis
By Doug Champeau
September, 2000

MY FAMILY AND I live in a crusty but comfortable portion of East St. Paul with all the amenities of metropolitan living ­ a paved alley, bus stop, freeway access, and a corner convenience store with Little Debbie snack cakes. Mel, an artiste friend, describes my neighborhood as "quaint."

"What do you mean, 'quaint'?" I ask.

"Quaint, like charming. Provincial, maybe," she says.

"Provincial?"

"Like where your parents would live," she says.

Mel is as sophisticated a person as I will ever know. A freelance graphic designer with a résumé scarred with Minnesota Fortune 500 firms, she eats at restaurants reviewed by newspapers, sees plays where the audience is expected to participate, and is on a first-name basis with members of famous local bands I've never heard of. She's smart, erudite, and has never eaten a Little Debbie Swiss Roll. And she lives in Minneapolis.

"Things happen there," Mel says.

If you're an older St. Paulite like me, you know what Mel is talking about. Minneapolis has always been the younger, more successful sibling mom liked best - it has straighter streets, taller buildings, and a more cosmopolitan air. Minneapolis wears the Tommy Hilfiger logo; St. Paul wears bib overalls. Minneapolis dines on haute cuisine; St. Paul wolfs down a plate of hot beef and mashed potatoes. There has always been a healthy competitive enmity between the two cities.

I like Mel, but I'm intimidated by Minneapolis. And as much as I love to see Mel, I rarely go to Minneapolis unless I'm armed with a Hudson's street atlas. Otherwise, Minneapolis is just a place on the western horizon where the 16A bus ends. Each December, however, I haul the kids downtown for the Holidazzle parade. During my most recent pilgrimage, I was again reminded why Minneapolis causes me anxiety. I had a panic attack hunting for a parking space. And I foolishly endangered my family by taking my eyes off the road to ogle the city's tall, opaque skyscrapers in my rear-view mirror. Walking toward Nicollet Mall near Dayton's, I marveled at the purposeful hustle of pedestrians and was amazed to see so many crowded street-level restaurants where people were having a good time. It was all very sophisticated and urbane. I felt, well, provincial.

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http://www.mpr.org/www/mnmonthly/0009_stpaul.shtml

[Nobody]

4. In a Pig's Eye

I liked the original name better. Pig's Eye, Minnesota.