Maybe Kansas City dodged a bullet when Cleveland nabbed the GOP convention

Almost two years ago, Kansas City’s civic and political elites sported long, sad faces when they learned that the Republican National Convention would be going elsewhere. Cleveland eventually was the final choice.

Lucky for the “Mistake by the Lake,” unlucky for us, right?

But who knew then that Donald Trump would be the GOP front-runner with all of the controversy surrounding the billionaire’s presidential bid? There was no way to foresee Trump publicly trashing immigrants, Muslims and Mexicans, making fun of people with disabilities, women and war heroes, yet still soaring in the polls, caucuses and primaries.

He’s tapped into the raw anger of many people with his promise to “make America great again.” Don’t forget the applause Trump gets as he pledges to re-institute torture of captives as a way to gain information. That strategy is unreliable and ineffective except for riling up audiences.

That anger has overflowed at several rallies, including ones in Chicago — where Trump had to cancel an appearance — and in Kansas City, where Trump spoke on March 12. Protesters showed up. Some were pepper-sprayed by police. Arrests were made, and a few people got roughed up. A woman even faces charges for punching a police horse.

Now imagine what the Republican convention could be like.

One guess: It might resemble Chicago in August 1968 during the Democratic National Convention, when police and anti-Vietnam War protesters clashed in the streets and parks. The results included hundreds of arrests, injuries and immeasurable damage to the city’s image.

Meanwhile, by losing out as the convention host, Kansas City has dodged the Trump-triggered, politically explosive scenario that Cleveland is bracing for when the Republican gathering takes place July 18-21.

At Bartle Hall, Kansas City in that stretch of time will host the National Association of Free Will Baptists 2016 National Convention and the Silpada Designs Annual Conference.

Pop singer Janet Jackson might stir things up at Sprint Center on July 18.

But there won’t be any finger-pointing, name-calling, boorish politicians or violent protests in Kansas City.

As a sign of things to come for Cleveland, an online gun rights petition in March collected more than 50,000 signatures to allow people to openly carry firearms into the Quicken Loans Arena, which will serve as the main location for the convention. But the Secret Service properly squashed that bad idea, citing the law that prevents firearms where its agents are protecting people.

As a result, the supporters and detractors of Trump will not be carrying firearms into the arena. Neither will friends or foes of Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas and Ohio Gov. John Kasich. Both hope to outmaneuver Trump for the GOP nomination.

Trump, not helping matters, already has suggested “riots” could occur if he is not picked as the nominee.

Cleveland police have decided to armor up to try to keep a lid on the political pressure cooker. The city is seeking to buy 2,000 sets of riot gear and other equipment. Cleveland expects to spend $50 million in federal grant money to get ready for the Republicans coming to town.

Businesses, trade groups and other organizations recently have said they are re-evaluating whether they want to provide funding and support for the convention, which could turn into a public relations nightmare. Some companies already are reducing or backing out of their commitments.

This is the first time Cleveland has hosted the Republican convention since 1936. The city is famous for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum and the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. It is the city where Superman was created by writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster in 1933.

Cleveland will need all of that and more to offset the image change that the GOP gathering could bring for the city of 390,113.

Maybe it’s going to turn out that fortune smiled on Kansas City two years ago when Cleveland came out on top — or was it the bottom? — in bidding for the Republican National Convention.

This story was originally published April 5, 2016 at 3:51 PM with the headline "Maybe Kansas City dodged a bullet when Cleveland nabbed the GOP convention."