GOP Convention is in Tampa, I want to move.

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY (Bay News 9) — After two previous attempts to lure the Republican convention, Tampa appears to have struck Republican gold for 2012.

GOP officials notified city leaders Wednesday afternoon that Tampa is their top pick to host the 2012 committee. The city beat out Salt Lake City and Phoenix for the event.

Tampa had been a finalist for the convention in 2004 and 2008. In 2004 they lost to New York City and in 2008 they lost to Minneapolis/St. Paul.

The selection committee’s recommendation will still need formal approval from the full Republican National Committee in August. Officials emphasized that committee members could surprise the GOP with another choice – but that appears unlikely.

More Information

* GOP convention site selection committee comes to Tampa (March 29)
* Quiz: How well do you know the RNC?
* Democratic response to choice of Tampa (.pdf)

Members of the Republican National Committee toured Tampa in March.

Officials checked out the St. Pete Times Forum and the Channelside District in addition to touring other areas of Tampa and Clearwater and St. Petersburg.

Committee members also were treated to a rally in support of the event.

Officials said the convention could bring 40,000 to 50,000 people to Tampa and as much as $175 million in revenue.

D.T. Minich, the executive director of Visit St. Pete/Clearwater, believes Pinellas County would benefit, too.

“Every major hotel has a block of rooms set aside for this convention,” Minich said. “This convention is really the equivalent of three Super Bowls. That’s how big it is.”
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I really don’t want to move because the GOP Convention. I want to move because where the GOP Convention goes so does the retards of the Republican Party..otherwise known as the Tea Party movement. I don’t care about the GOP Convention. It will create jobs in the Tampa Bay area, but the surrounding counties are going to have to deal with the retards of the Republican Party and I just don’t have the patience. Usually I would debate with these people get them to where they just go well…well…you’re wrong and they walk away thinking they won. Lately I feel that life is too short to deal with those people in person. I am starting to dread 2012.