Politico: Tampa to host 2012 Republican National Convention

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

Breaking news from Politico's Mike Allen — the 2012 Republican National Convention will be held in Tampa.

The Republican National Committee's site-selection committee is
expected to name Tampa, Fla., on Wednesday as the site of the party’s 2012
convention, top Republicans tell POLITICO.

* * *

The GOP convention will be held the week of Aug. 27. The site-selection
committee has not taken its formal vote yet. The nomination will get an
up-or-down ratification vote at the RNC’s summer meeting.

* * *

The operatives said Phoenix was eliminated, largely because Arizona in
late August reminds Republicans of their sweltering 1992 convention in
Houston. And the Grand Canyon State is facing boycotts because of its
new immigration law, which would not present an inviting face for the
party.

Choosing Utah would be taken as a sign of retreat — hunkering down in one of the nation's whitest states, the operatives said.