RNC 2012 News, Creative Loafing Tampa

Tampa City Council members blast Buckhorn administration for failing to represent at surveillance camera discussion

Mitch Perry — Thu, 20 Sep 2012 14:08:08 -0400

Throughout the last year and a half, some members of the Tampa City Council have privately expressed at one time or another anger regarding a lack of respect from Mayor Bob Buckhorn. That anger went public today at City Hall.…

Tampa's RNC was a once in a lifetime experience

Mitch Perry — Thu, 06 Sep 2012 15:58:30 -0400

Less than 12 hours after the Republican National Convention ended at the Tampa Bay Times Forum, a bleary-eyed Mayor Bob Buckhorn hosted a news conference at City Hall where he praised the city police department, city staff, and volunteers for putting on what he called an "absolutely flawless" convention.

The fact that Chief Jane Castor's police department arrested only two people during the entire week was certainly something to celebrate.…

Mary Mulhern praised TPD for its work at RNC, but not for the heavy security

Mitch Perry — Thu, 06 Sep 2012 08:18:28 -0400

Earlier this year while the Tampa City Council was approving requests from the Tampa Police Department regarding high security at the RNC, one city council member thought it was too much.

"We spent $25 million (on equipment) and made two arrests.…

The last night of the RNC you didn’t read about

Alex Pickett — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 10:43:00 -0400

I'm not sure what was my highlight of the last night of the RNC: crashing the Republican pool party and being the only one to jump in — full dress — or giving Newt Gingrich a sopping hug afterward.

But I’m getting ahead of myself.…

RNC's hero(ine): Hail to the L-Chief!

Lynette Mae — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 15:44:00 -0400

This past week while the GOP held its convention in Tampa, something truly amazing happened — well, didn’t happen. The massive protests and violence that were predicted, based upon the angry mood of the country, Occupy demonstrations and encampments nationwide, and of course, past history of senseless violence seen at previous conventions, just didn’t happen in here in Tampa.…

Rock-ribbed Republicans in Tampa

Mitch Perry — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 10:32:17 -0400

Workers inside the Tampa Bay Times Forum are continuing the process this week of breaking down the infrastructure set-ups created for the Republican National Convention, with the hopes of having the arena restored to its usual condition by the end of this week.

But before the memories of the RNC2012 escape completely from memory, CL wants to bring back to you our experiences on the floor of the convention from last Thursday night just a short time before Clint Eastwood's bizarre appearance — and oh, yeah, MItt Romney's speech to the nation as well.…

Bill Maher skewers Romney, Ryan & Republicans in sold-out show in Clearwater

Mitch Perry — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 09:05:00 -0400

Bill Maher appeared at a sold-out performance at Ruth Eckerd Hall on Saturday night in Clearwater, where the political satirist tore apart Republicans, "Teabaggers," organized religion and the idea of American exceptionalism in a 100-minute performance.

Coming less than 48 hours after the GOP closed out its convention across the Bay in Tampa, fans expecting to hear plenty of bashing of Mitt Romney, Paul Ryan and company were not disappointed as the HBO comic eviscerated Republicans as essentially non-thinking white people afraid of changes happening in a multicultural America.…

Bob Buckhorn not a fan of Clint Eastwood's RNC performance

Mitch Perry — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 16:50:00 -0400

As we all very well know, the U.S. electorate is extremely polarized going into this fall's election.

So it's not surprising that the 12-minute endorsement/performance art piece by the legendary Clint Eastwood on the climactic night of the Republican National Convention in Tampa is dividing the public as well.…

RNC aftermath: Buckhorn credits "overwhelming force" for only two arrests

Mitch Perry — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 14:07:25 -0400

Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn and Police Chief Jane Castor held a news conference Friday morning to discuss the just completed Republican National Convention. As far as the mayor was concerned, "We knocked it out of the park."

They crowed about the shocking statistic regarding the number of arrests — two.…

Final night of RNC protests: Five times when shit (almost) got real

Kate Bradshaw — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 10:53:56 -0400

When there’s a seismic shift thousands of miles from any inhabited land mass, those in the doomed locale can prepare all they want, but they can’t avoid the fact they’re in the direct path of a violent tsunami.

That’s probably how many members of the media felt two years ago when they heard the Republican National Convention was coming to Tampa — at least, those who knew they’d have to cover protests.…

Honey Boo Boo beats RNC, Clint tweets the morning after

Julie Garisto — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 09:58:00 -0400

Was Tampa's RNC moment in the spotlight stolen by a tawdry reality show about a self-described redneck child on the beauty pageant circuit?

TLC's Here Comes Honey Boo Boo— a show about a kid powered by "go-go juice," who spouts off stripperisms like "a dolla makes me holla" — won out over the GOP.…

Bizarre appearance by Clint Eastwood upstages Romney's big speech

Mitch Perry — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 00:53:00 -0400

Good work, Romney advance people.

On the night heralded as the most important one of Mitt Romney's political career, the Republican nominee for president was overshadowed by a surprise guest, 82-year-old actor/director/American icon Clint Eastwood, who electrified the crowd when he appeared on stage just after 10 p.m. to the strains of "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly."

But things quickly got weird — really weird.…

Tommy Thompson thinks Paul Ryan broadens Mitt Romney's appeal

Mitch Perry — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 21:43:25 -0400

About an hour before Mitt Romney was scheduled to give the proverbial "speech of his life," CL spoke briefly with former WIsconsin Governor Tommy Thompson, who was pacing the convention floor.

The 70-year-old Thompson, who also served as Health & Human Services Secretary for George W. Bush, was asked if Romney's speech should appeal to the base, or broadened out to independents who could be the difference in determining the election.…

Sandra Fluke leads Democratic assault on Romney-Ryan ticket

Mitch Perry — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 15:57:00 -0400

Throughout the RNC, Democrats have conducted their own "counter-convention" just a short distance away from the fenced-in perimeter of the Tampa Convention Center.

On Thursday afternoon, just hours before Mitt Romney was set to give the speech of his political life, Sandra Fluke — the former Georgetown Law student who made national news after Rush Limbaugh called her a "slut" and a "prostitute" — took aim at the Romney-Ryan ticket by blasting their call to completely shut off federal funding for Planned Parenthood.…

The McCains, Bill O'Reilly party to help the vets

Daniel Veintimilla — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 15:12:00 -0400

Sen. John McCain was the guest of honor at a gala concert event at the Glazer Children's Museum, hosted by Got your 6 and the Lifetime Television campaign "Your Life. Your Time.…

Despite low turnout, "Romneyville" organizer feels RNC protests have had a positive effect

Michael Newberger — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 13:53:15 -0400

At the tail end of the Republican convention, it seems that the overall atmosphere of Tampa was much more low-key than previously expected. It seems the city was expecting much more of a turnout by protesters, hence the heightened security and heavy police presence.…

Hillsborough County GOP Chair admits the party is trying to figure out how to appeal to Latino voters

Mitch Perry — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 12:46:52 -0400

Throughout the RNC, a lot of hot air and hype has come out of the Tampa Bay Times Forum. However, frequently recited statements about the importance of the Tampa Bay area in this year's presidential election remain relevant.…

Grover Norquist Unyielding on His Anti-tax Pledge

Samuel Johnson — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 11:57:42 -0400

Grover Norquist is not a member of congress, nor a holder of public office, a speaker or a delegate at the RNC in Tampa. Nonetheless, he is arguably one of the most powerful men in Washington D.C.Wednesday afternoon on at the University of South Florida Saint Petersburg campus, Norquist versed a sparse crowd of around 50 people on what he views as the current American political process.…

Daniel in the lion's den: Tampa's RNC strip club conundrum

Wayne Garcia — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 11:12:00 -0400

They may not legislate like it, but let's face it: Most Republicans dig sex as much as the next delegate. Witness the vast influx of strippers, escorts and other sex workers to Tampa for the RNC.…

Won't Back Down at RNC: Jeb and education reform

Julie Garisto — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 11:02:00 -0400

I agree with former Gov. Jeb Bush. Education has not been one of the hot-button issues on the lips of politicians this election season, but it should be.…

Life on the inside: Ryan, Rice and Night Two at the RNC (Photos)

Joe Bardi — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 10:54:00 -0400

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At a rally, recalling when Republicans partnered with Planned Parenthood

Scott Farrell — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 07:10:00 -0400

Alabama Republican delegate Jackie Curtiss learned a hard lesson earlier this month in Tampa. The national Republican Party is not interested in keeping its tent open for folks who believe in birth control or abortion in the case of rape.…

AFL-CIO leads a march that warns of "Romney's America"

Michael Newberger — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 02:14:00 -0400

This past Wednesday, the Florida AFL-CIO — and other unions from across the state and country — showed their anger toward the Republican Party.

About 200 protestors marched from Brush and Washington Streets to the "free speech zone," focusing on what they perceive as the war on unions that's being waged by the Republican Party.…

Can you be a martyr with no followers? Photos of Jehovah Phineas

Chip Weiner — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 00:32:00 -0400

His badly deformed leg is a result of a severe motor vehicle accident. Jehovah Phineas planned his protest and scheduled his event for Herman Massey Park.…

Paul Ryan's speech marred by inaccurate charges

Mitch Perry — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 00:10:00 -0400

On Wednesday night, the country got its first wide-eyed look at Paul Ryan, as the Republican vice presidential nominee took to the stage to lay out criticism of President Obama's tenure in office. He said that he and Mitt Romney would solve the nation's economic problems, problems that Barack Obama has been unable to do after four years.…