Politicos, Actor in Tampa for GOP Fair

By JIM RILEY
For PotomacLocal.com 

TAMPA, Fla. — The day started out appropriately enough at Reagan National Airport in Washington, and bound for the Republican National Convention, I had no problems getting into Tampa despite the approaching Tropical Storm Isaac.

In Tampa now, it is overcast and only light rain showers so far (it rained harder in Northern Virginia on Sunday morning.)

The pilot while flying into Tampa pointed out the clouds from the approaching tropical storm that made up one of its arms. Nothing to take too lightly, but I do get the feeling everyone is being overly cautious.

Due to the storm, tomorrow’s convention sessions have been postponed. Delegate Barbara Comstock (R-Fairfax) will still address the convention, but will now do so during a new 2 p.m. Tuesday session. Gov. Bob McDonnell will speak during the 8 p.m. hour on Tuesday, followed by former Alabama Congressman Artur Davis in the 9 p.m. hour. Davis changed his party affiliation from the Democratic Party to the GOP.

The broadcast networks will only be airing one hour of coverage each night, from 10-11 p.m. and Tuesday appears to be a good one with presumed Republican Presidential Nominee Mitt Romney’s wife, Ann Romney, and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie.

Wednesday night will include a speech by Bob McDonnell’s daughter, Jeanine, following a video featuring Texas Congressman Ron Paul and a speech by his son Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul. Afterward, 2008 Republican Presidential candidate Sen. John McCain will speak.

The 10 p.m. hour will feature Republican Vice Presidential nominee Paul Ryan. Thursday will begin with tributes to Ronald Reagan and conclude with Mitt Romney’s acceptance speech that will be preceded by those he served with in Massachusetts as well as Olympic athletes.

The positive picture of Romney that so many have been calling for to be spotlighted will be revealed in whole by then.

But it’s not just politicos who are here; there’s also a bit of Hollywood, too.

The first person I ran into when I arrived in Tampa was Victoria Jackson from Saturday Night Live (Dennis Miller / Dana Carvey era). She’s in town covering the convention for a web show she does now. I had the chance to talk to her briefly and she mentioned that the group of conservatives that meets in Hollywood is now up to 2,000 members and that Dana Carvey is now coming aboard.

She also mentioned Jon Lovitz’s recent anti Barack Obama tirade, where he criticized the president for a plan to raise taxes for the rich.

Jim Riley is the Southbridge Homeowners Association President and writes for VirginiaVirtucon.com.