Republicans know they must carry Ohio in November, but they are calculating they don’t need Cleveland.
The GOP has announced the massive banner of King James that has hung outside Quicken Loans Arena (for the most part) since 2005 is coming down to make way for their national convention.
The decision is controversial after James kept his word and delivered the first national championship to Cleveland, and northeast Ohio, for the first time in 52 years. The word “Champions” was added to the banner this week.
A petition has been started at Change.org asking Sherman-Williams to keep the “Champions” sign in place. Over 18,000 people have signed it.
“Removing this banner will be a travesty to what we call Cleveland,” the petition reads. “We are proud, we are Cleveland and we are with our TEAM the Cavaliers! This banner is the BEST message we can show to anyone visiting our town for the RNC. Please leave the banner up.”
Ohio gubernatorial candidate John Kasich was attacked by Democrats in his 2010 campaign for not doing enough to try to keep James in Ohio. That year the Akron native took his talents to Miami, before returning to Cleveland two years ago.
King James has been politically active for Democrats in the past. He endorsed Barack Obama in 2008 and 2012, and has organized fundraisers for his campaign.
Republicans plan on replacing the banner with one which reads, “This Land Is Our Land: 150 Years in Cleveland.”