Imagine that you are Governor Cooper of North Carolina. You have just received a communication from the Trump campaign that you had better open up unconditionally, or the convention could be moved from Charlotte. How do you respond?
This is a blatantly political move from a notorious bully. He thinks he has leverage over you in the form of lost revenue from the convention, but he can’t really afford to move the convention from a swing state, particularly at this late hour.
Be polite and respectful, but firm. Tell him that you look forward to working with the RNC and his people to make the convention work, but make it clear that the health of your citizens, and the delegates at the convention, is an overriding priority. It’s too early to commit to anything right now. Your actions will be driven by the public health data at the time and sound practices, not a desire to make money at any cost.
That, in all likelihood, will shut him up. If not, you have made the case for public health being the highest priority in your state. Don’t be afraid to run on that in November.