GOP 2000 Convention In Philly

Philadelphia will be the site of the Republican presidential convention in 2000, beating out four other finalists.

"The first president of the next millennium will be nominated in the cradle of liberty," Republican Party Chairman Jim Nicholson said in a statement.

The decision must be formally approved by the RNC membership in January, but officials said the matter was settled for all practical purposes.

The other finalists were San Antonio, New York, New Orleans, and Indianapolis. Three other cities, Chicago, Minneapolis, and Charlotte, N.C., were dropped earlier in the application process. New York and Philadelphia were the final contenders, officials said.

Being host for a presidential convention brings the cities millions of dollars in revenues plus priceless media exposure. The Democratic National Committee's site-selection committee is expected to make its decision later this year.

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge, a Republican, and Philadelphia Mayor Edward G. Rendell, a Democrat, scheduled a late afternoon news conference Thursday in Philadelphia. "This is a great day for the entire Philadelphia region," said Karen Buchholz, head of the city's organizing committee.

In Indianapolis, a member of the Indianapolis organizing committee, Mitch Daniels, said Republican national chairman Jim Nicholson informed him of the selection during a telephone call Thursday.

The convention will take place during the last week in July 2000.

By Ron Fournier