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If you learn nothing else today, read where Donald Trump supporters will be hanging out Thursday for the debate

in The Bay and the 'Burg by

With the first official GOP-sanctioned debate coming up this Thursday, there are likely to be a number of watch parties throughout the Bay area. Depending on your political leanings and/or sense of humor, there is one that probably stands out above all others.

A group of Donald Trump supporters are gathering for a viewing party at Hogan’s Beach on 7700 W. Courtney Campbell Causeway.

An invitation was sent to SaintPetersBlog editor Peter Schorsch along with a congradulations and welcome “to the exclusive club of Tampa Bay area people whose tweets have been [retweeted] by Donald Trump.”

Schorsch, in a tweet last month, mentioned that Trump was plainspoken. The Donald retweeted that.

Some of the things he has not retweeted include comments about the GOP needing to take him out, several lambasting tweets about John McCain, in fact, being a war hero and several quotes clearly illustrating what most would infer were the ramblings of an egomaniac.

So, why is this a must attend watch party? Because Donald Trump is somehow managing to slaughter almost every poll emerging at the front of a very crowded GOP pack.

This despite calling Mexicans rapists. He’s leading polls even though he’s also insulted a well-respected female journalist by calling her naïve and then mocking her when she stumbled over a statistic. It doesn’t matter that he slammed John McCain because he “like[s] people who aren’t captured” or that he brags incessantly about his overwhelming wealth.

It doesn’t matter that he’s been accused of rape or embarrassing even his own party. Nope, still ahead in the polls.

And the people at this watch party, they’re the ones who are helping him build that gap. There are three kinds of people who will be watching the debate on Thursday – staunch conservatives, Trump supporters and people who want to make fun of Trump and his supporters. Those last two categories are the ones who will be most likely to take a trip over to Hogan’s beach for what is surely to be a lively debate.

What’s unclear is whether Trump will take some golden stairs onto the stage as he did when he famously announced his presidential candidacy or if he’ll make a grand entrance much to the chagrin of Neil Young.

Janelle Irwin has been a professional journalist covering local news and politics in the Tampa Bay area since 2003. She also hosts a weekly political talk show on WMNF Community radio. Janelle formerly served as the sole staff reporter for WMNF News and previously covered news for Patch.com and various local neighborhood newsletters. Her work has been featured in the New York Daily News, Free Speech Radio News and Florida Public Radio and she's been interviewed by radio stations across the nation for her coverage of the 2012 Republican National Convention. Janelle is a diehard news junkie who isn't afraid to take on big names in local politics including Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn, the dirty business of trash and recycling in St. Pete and the ongoing Pier debacle. Her work as a reporter and radio host has earned her two WMNF awards including News Volunteer of the Year and Public Affairs Volunteer of the Year. Janelle is also the devoted mother to three brilliant and beautiful daughters who are a constant source of inspiration and occasional blogging fodder. To contact, email [email protected]

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