Parscale vs. Nirenberg

Should San Antonio chase a bid to host the 2020 Republican National Convention? This week on Just This, Rick and I discuss an intense debate on the subject that took place in a March meeting between City and Bexar County officials, business and civic leaders, and RNC representatives. We also examine San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg’s decision earlier this week to take the matter to City Council, and charges that he misrepresented the Republican National Committee’s interest in a bid from the city. Nirenberg’s move came in the wake of an email and, then, a series of taunting tweets by former San Antonio businessman Brad Parscale, who ran President Donald Trump’s digital media operations in the 2016 election and is now manager of Trump’s 2020 reelection campaign. Parscale is pushing for San Antonio to submit a bid for the convention. We examine claims of economic benefits, as well the potential costs of hosting a national political party’s nominating convention – including potential protests and civic backlash from Trump opponents. Join us every Friday for Just This. Listen in, and send us your feedback. Just This, produced by Photo Editor Scott Ball.