And just like that Tampa has emerged as the front runner to host the 2012 GOP convention. Politico’s Ben Smith writes:
The new calls among immigrant advocates to boycott Arizona may not affect every convention, but it will be hard for the organizers of two politically charged events — the 2012 political conventions — to ignore them.
A spokesman for the Republican National Commitee said his party has not — yet, at least — taken into account the new Arizona law extending police powers to checking documents of suspected illegal immigrants, while a DNC spokesman declined publicly to discuss the question.
Phoenix is reportedly a frontrunner to host the 2012 Republican National Convention and is reportedly preparing a bid for the Democratic National Convention.
“The recently signed immigration bill has not been a part of the discussion,” said RNC spokesman Doug Heye.
DNC spokesman Hari Sevugan would only say, “We haven’t announced or confirmed any potential bid cities.”
With Congressional Democrats and leading Hispanic editorial voices joining boycott calls, however, it is difficult to imagine Phoenix being awarded the 2012 Democratic convention. And with Republicans eager to repair their standing with Hispanic voters, the controversy may also weigh heavily on the party’s leaders.
So with Phoenix likely out of the running that leaves Salt Lake City and Tampa as the two leading contenders to host the 2012 GOP convention.
Salt Lake City? Really? No one east of the Mississippi likes the Utah Jazz more than me — I still have my John Stockton jersey — but if it comes down to a competition between the strip club capital of the world or the setting for Big Love, how can Tampa lose?
