Mark Proctor, Mr. Republican in Hillsborough, confirms: It’s official! Tampa will host the 2012 Republican National Convention. Michael Steele just called Al Austin to congratulate Tampa for being selected to host 2012 convention.
Update -10:39 a.m. – Washington Post: GOP likely to hold 2012 convention in Tampa. The Republican National Committee’s site-selection committee is expected to name Tampa, Fla., on Wednesday as site of the party’s 2012 convention, top Republicans tell POLITICO. The site-selection committee is scheduled to announce a choice among three finalists: Phoenix, Salt Lake City and Tampa. The committee has made high-publicity visits to the top prospects, which put on the dog to show what they could do for the…
Update -10:39 a.m. – Washington Post: GOP likely to hold 2012 convention in Tampa. The Republican National Committee’s site-selection committee is expected to name Tampa, Fla., on Wednesday as site of the party’s 2012 convention, top Republicans tell POLITICO. The site-selection committee is scheduled to announce a choice among three finalists: Phoenix, Salt Lake City and Tampa. The committee has made high-publicity visits to the top prospects, which put on the dog to show what they could do for the…
“Who is Sandra Gadsden?” was the invariable response I received last evening from each person I asked if they knew who Sandra Gadsden is. I was at a fundraising reception chock full of political operatives and their handsome wives. Each of these people recognized the names of Adam Smith or Aaron Sharockman or David DeCamp. Some even recognized John Frank’s name. But not one person — and this is a room full of people who make St. Petersburg move –…
“Who is Sandra Gadsden?” was the invariable response I received last evening from each person I asked if they knew who Sandra Gadsden is. I was at a fundraising reception chock full of political operatives and their handsome wives. Each of these people recognized the names of Adam Smith or Aaron Sharockman or David DeCamp. Some even recognized John Frank’s name. But not one person — and this is a room full of people who make St. Petersburg move –…
The nation’s first downtown station for a super-fast passenger train is going to be in Tampa. Being first has huge advantages in the hot competition for federal dollars for high-speed rail. Money follows good plans, and Florida’s plans are the best. Congress will have a vested interest in making sure the Tampa-Orlando line gets going on schedule. The first round of funding competition has made it obvious that the fastest trains are too expensive to be built across every state that wants them.…
I’m sure I am in the minority, but I’m just not a fan of the otherwise affable Ernest Hooper (I wince every time I read his closing sentence — “That’s all I am saying”). His contention that “nothing good happens after 2 a.m.” as a criticism of the City of St. Petersburg’s recent decision to change “last call” to 3 a.m. is just silly. Most of the great American cities have a “later last call” and a vibrant night life…
