Article updated: 8/28/2012 2:17 PM

Postcard from Tampa: Blue state blues

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Ann Romney, wife of Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney, wipes lipstick off his face after kissing him during a campaign rally in March.

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Daily Herald Politics and Projects Writer Kerry Lester

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Greetings from Tampa! Or, rather, Clearwater Beach. The Illinois delegation's hotel is a solid 45-minute drive from the site of the Republican National Convention, partly because of Illinois' reputation as a "blue state," Daily Herald politics and projects writer Kerry Lester writes.