Topic: Tampa

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Briefing
Petraeus scandal: Did anything illegal happen? Five questions so far.

An investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation has now called into question the private lives and careers of two of the nation’s top national-security officials. Here is an accounting of what is known so far.
GOP convention winners and losers, from Condoleezza Rice to Clint Eastwood (+video)

It was a chaotic week in Tampa, Fla., as Mitt Romney accepted his party's nomination and hurricane Isaac crashed the party. From the major speeches to some trivial moments, we rate some of the winners and losers to come out of the 2012 GOP convention.
GOP convention: Who is the mystery speaker Thursday night?

There’s an enticing blank on the Republican convention speakers’ schedule for Thursday night. Speculation is fierce among the vast press corps as to who (or what) it might be. Here is our list.
Karl Rove: 5 deep thoughts at start of GOP convention

Karl Rove has resuscitated his political career and now runs Crossroads GPS and American Crossroads, two political organizations that could spend $1 billion combined to promote Republicans during the coming election. Here are five political pearls from arguably the No. 1 conservative powerbroker in America.
Five ways the Republican National Convention can excite voters

The images, themes, and sound bites generated at the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., Aug. 27-30 will set the tone for the rest of the election season. Here are five suggestions the GOP can use at its convention to excite voters and chart a path to victory.

All Content

Where’s Romney’s Ryan ‘bounce’? Polls give weak report

Paul Ryan's presence on the GOP presidential ticket has given Mitt Romney a slight boost in the polls – less than Sarah Palin or Joe Biden did for John McCain and Barack Obama four years ago. But Ryan has put new spring in Romney's step, and he's helped loosen Republican wallets.
Has Mitt Romney given up on the Latino vote?

Mitt Romney chose Rep. Paul Ryan as his running mate and Gov. Chris Christie as the convention keynote speaker. For now, he seems to have put Latino outreach on a back burner.
Chris Christie: larger-than-life keynoter for Republican convention

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is known for a sharp tongue, sizable girth, and serious reform efforts in a mainly Democratic state. The keynote address will boost his national image – and his career prospects.
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie will deliver keynote address at RNC

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, a colorful speaker popular among fiscal conservatives in his party, will deliver keynote address when Republicans gather this month for their national convention before the November presidential election, the party said on Tuesday.
Romney falling behind in polls. Will Paul Ryan help?

Recent polls have Mitt Romney slipping behind President Obama – including among men and suburbanites. Running mate Paul Ryan could help, but so far he's largely unknown to voters.
Tea party claims 'seat at the table' with Romney's Paul Ryan pick for VP

Tea party activists expected to be snubbed at the GOP convention. But tea partyers say they're very encouraged by Mitt Romney's selection of Rep. Paul Ryan – a leader among fiscal conservatives – to be his vice presidential running mate.
Decoder Wire Donald Trump to 'surprise' GOP convention. What might he do?

It won't be a prime-time speech, according to a news report. It probably won't be anything related to Obama's long-form birth certificate. But Donald Trump, celebrity 'boss,' will definitely be on scene.
Decoder Wire Tough new Bain ad from Obama 'super PAC': Does it go too far? (+video)

The conservative Twittersphere has erupted in anger over a new ad that targets Mitt Romney’s time at Bain Capital. In it, a former steelworker basically charges that Mr. Romney’s actions caused his wife’s death.
Romney ad accuses Obama of quashing welfare reform, Dems target Romney business record (+video)

The Romney campaign sees Obama's move as an opportunity to argue that the president is a liberal who wants to give the poor a free pass at the expense of the middle class.
The Vote Mitt Romney VP pick: Convention speaker list offers fresh tea leaves

Pressure is mounting on Mitt Romney to 'go bold' with his VP pick, even if the assumption is that he'll play it safe. A three-day bus tour at week's end is being eyed as a good time to make an announcement.
Mitt Romney, in Colorado, looks to energize flagging campaign

Mitt Romney has lost ground in key swing states recently. Now back on the campaign trail, the GOP presidential candidate is in battleground state of Colorado on Thursday, trying to sway independent voters in Denver suburbs.
GOP leader offers advice for addressing Mitt Romney's likability problem

House majority whip Kevin McCarthy acknowledges that Mitt Romney trails President Obama when voters are asked whom they like more. He says Romney should visit lots of Staples stores to boost his appeal.
Five ways the Republican National Convention can excite voters

The images, themes, and sound bites generated at the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., Aug. 27-30 will set the tone for the rest of the election season. Here are five suggestions the GOP can use at its convention to excite voters and chart a path to victory.
GOP roadshow: Senators pound on need to stave off defense cuts

Sens. John McCain, Lindsey Graham, and Kelly Ayotte are holding town-hall meetings to generate awareness about looming defense cuts. On Monday, they stopped in the military center of Norfolk, Va.
Focus Public-sector belt-tightening: thrift, or long-term drag on US economy?

Since June 2009, 504,000 jobs have been cut among municipal employees. Public-sector reductions at the local level have subtracted almost a quarter of a percentage point from annual GDP each of the past four years.
How Bill Clinton's prime-time convention speech could hurt Obama

Democrats are excited that former President Bill Clinton will deliver a prime-time address the night before President Obama's big speech in Charlotte, N.C. But there could be a downside, which the Republicans are already trying to exploit.
Decoder Wire Should Sarah Palin speak at GOP convention? (+video)

Sarah Palin electrified the 2008 GOP convention, but many gaffes later, even conservative critics are wary of how a Palin speech in Tampa could impact the 2012 race and presumptive GOP standard-bearer, Mitt Romney.
Ron Paul: Is it all over for his campaign?

At the Nebraska state GOP convention Saturday, Ron Paul failed to collect enough delegates to be nominated or win a speaking slot at the Republican convention in August. But Paul and his supporters say they're working on a movement, not just a single presidential campaign.
A victory for Republicans, Florida wins use of federal database to purge voters

The federal government has granted Florida access to a law enforcement database, to be used in the state's effort to prevent noncitizens from voting.
Decoder Wire Will Ron Paul pull off one last delegate surprise? (+video)

Ron Paul supporters in Nebraska appear on the verge of winning a plurality of delegates from their state to the GOP convention in Tampa, Fla. That could lead to him getting 15 minutes to address the convention audience.
Supreme Court ruling on Medicaid tees up campaign issue

Some Republican governors and state lawmakers are eager to opt out of the expansion of Medicaid under 'Obamacare,' now that the Supreme Court has removed the penalty. But millions could remain uninsured. Expect this to play big in some state elections.
Obama and Romney scrap along battleground Florida's I-4

Bush won the state again four years later, 52 percent to 47 percent, over Democrat John Kerry. But in 2008, the state sided with Democrats when Obama defeated Republican John McCain, 51 percent to 48 percent.
DNC no-show list grows, and GOP crows. But are Democrats being smart?

According to Republicans, who are keeping track, 12 major Democratic politicians are planning to skip the DNC. While the convention's timing is hard on Democrats in tight races, a long list of no-shows could embarrass Obama.
Debby weakens, but remains flood threat for Florida (+video)

Debby is now a tropical depression, but that news is not helping the threat from both flooding and tornadoes the storm system could still spawn.
Debby is downgraded, but it's still raining (+video)

Tropical storm Debby has been downgraded to a tropical depression. Florida residents and visitors have been forced to change plans due to flooding and high winds caused by the storm.