Cleveland Emerges as Real Winner from RNC

While most Americans experienced the Republican National Convention only through their television screens, those who visited Cleveland to attend, work, or volunteer were treated to a host city on top of its game. It is easy to label Cleveland as a comeback city. The impressive revitalization of downtown afforded the city to present itself as a thriving metropolis eager to refute stereotypes. While urban issues continue to blight the city as a whole, Cleveland -- particularly downtown -- exceeded all expectations.

From joiseyshowaa, Flickr

It was easy to be wary of the challenges that faced the city in the many months leading up to the convention. A major national security event anyway, this convention offered unique security challenges because of the vitriol and anger associated with the nominee. As Trump's rallies drew massive crowds often hostile to opposition and the opposition began turning out in larger numbers, the convention was obviously expected by many to serve as a fierce battleground between the two sides. As the Black Panthers and white supremacist groups both planned large events in the city during convention week, organizers, pundits, and attendees all predicted a convention that could easily devolve into mass chaos both inside and outside the Quciken Loans Arena. To counter, the Republican Party quashed all Trump's opposition to prevent raucous fighting inside, and the City of Cleveland and the Cleveland Police Department developed an exhaustive plan to combat any violence, while maintaining the citizenry's right to peaceful assembly.

Ultimately, the convention itself, while certainly not the opulent and scripted coronation that Reince Preibus and Donald Trump had hoped for, stuck mainly to what they planned. But outside, hordes of police from all over the country prevented protests from getting out of control, and were simultaneously praised for their measured and levelheaded behavior toward activists. From my personal experience, visitors from out of town unanimously praised Cleveland as an excellent host and wonderful city to visit. The excellent showcase continues the city's rapid upward trajectory and cements its status as a truly excellent American city.

As the Republicans presented a vision of a violent, crumbling America on the decline, Cleveland proved that isn't the case.