As the August RNC approaches, Tampa is preparing. Heavy focus is on their "readiness" and many of their high-level officials and municipal teams have met with the FBI. The area has invested large portions of their budget to update equipment and add staff for the convention. Concern is mainly focused on the potential for protest rather than the influx of convention attendees. Republicans are sorely aware that issues brought out during the nomination race have created unexpected ire.
The women's health battle has left many female Republicans in the Tampa area disenchanted with the party. According to an April 9th article in the Tampa Bay Times, "The biggest threat may turn out to be people like St. Petersburg retiree Lorraine McCann, who started volunteering for the Obama campaign in February when Planned Parenthood and women's health care suddenly became a central issue in the country's political debate." Speculation has begun about potential VPs. The front runner, according to a CNN Poll, is former Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice. Will she be enough to help soften the backlash from women voters?
Adam C. Smith, Tampa Bay Times Political Editor wanted to delve deeper into the problems that face the GOP candidate. Enlisting a focus group of 12 Florida Republicans, Smith gathered heavy insight. Many of the participants expressed concern over Romney's personality and approachability. "I just haven't seen the regular guy side of him," said 27-year-old Jonathan Rosa." One member of the group even said that they thought Santorum and Gingrich had more of the personality traits they liked because of their performance during the debates. Based on what Smith saw, he leaves readers with more doubt to Romney's potential to win than his presumptive nominee status.
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