Postcard from Tampa: Blue state blues

Greetings from Tampa!

Or, I should say, Clearwater Beach. The Illinois Republican delegation’s hotel is a solid 45-minute drive from the convention center, which for me means a shuttle bus “bonding session” with the Illinois delegates each day.

State party officials tell me that because of Illinois’ reputation as a “blue state,” they knew they didn’t have much chance of a nice hotel close to the Tampa Bay Times Forum, so they investigated and requested a spot in Clearwater, instead. Other states have done the same — the Oregon delegation is in our hotel.

Of course, the beach is nice. And with Isaac veering away, the skies here are clearer and sunny. Though, as I learned on a run, the weather can change in a blink — I got soaked!

Time for me to get back to my stories before I hear tonight’s speakers, which include Ann Romney.

— Kerry Lester