Posted on 06/26/2012 5:07:01 AM PDT by C19fan
Welcome to the molten core of the political universe, the hottest battleground in the biggest battleground state. Since 1960, Hillsborough County has called every single presidential election except for one—and there’s no reason to think that voters here won’t do it again. Look around this county of 1.2 million and you’ll find a mash-up of past and future: a solidly Democratic city bracketed by Republican-leaning suburbs; strawberry fields, ranch-style homes, and gentrified urban neighborhoods; Puerto Ricans, Cuban-Americans, African-Americans, Midwestern retirees, college kids, active military, and young families; the brick and wrought iron of historic Ybor City, and the stucco and terra-cotta of the Sun City Center senior community.
(Excerpt) Read more at nationaljournal.com ...
It’s wet and windblown today.
Tampa is very liberal - it has a CAIR headquarters right in the city. don’t know about the rest
The city itself is about 47% minority and of course it is hard core democrat.
Solid blue core, bright red suburbs.
I think Romney wins the county. Or, perhaps more accurately, 0 loses it.
Lots of stuff gets done in Hillsborough County, but there are two things that come to mind that are much more important to the local economy, and low wage workers, than most of the rest of the country, tourism and landscaping. Both of these are what economists call ‘highly elastic’, which is to say that as the price increases (or you’re worried about your job, etc) these things will be one of the first things people give up.
Unemployment is high, and disproportionally hits 0’s voter base of poor minorities. What has he done about it? Well, he hasn’t been able to do anything because of the obstructionist Republicans in Congress, right? Sounds nice, but most people think the President is pretty much in charge of everything, and those that would be swayed by said argument have been given plenty of proof lately that he’ll go around Congress as “necessary”. Those folks who would vote for him (if they showed up) based on skin color or of a message of “hope” now know for certain that he’s a failure and turnout will be low, IMO.
Speaking of proof, how will his amnesty announcements go over with the large number of hispanics in the county? Will 0 gain more there than he loses black turnout? Not in the neighborhoods I’m familiar with, but I really don’t know overall. I suspect it’s a loser since the not-working poor don’t want any more competition.
Then there’s the convention. Going to bring in a lot of money, most of it going to the “tourism” industry. Lots of folks picking up extra shifts because the Republicans are in town. I don’t see this swaying a lot of people over to Romney (though I’ll readily admit independents make NO sense to me), but I think it will reinforce the ‘0 isn’t going to make things better’ low base turnout.
There’s been a lot of talk about security for the convention. IMO, someone is trying to make this thing at least appear to be a major inconvenience due to being very dangerous. Of course, if one thinks for a moment just who would want to attack the RNC the message might not be what they intended, but I don’t think that’s a major possibility. My point here is that it seems 0 has a decent amount of support from the mayor, the media, etc. I don’t think it’ll mean much, but it’s out there.
We show ID to vote. This last time (R primary) they even scanned my DL on a computer. I believe that the Dems will target their fraud in easier locations, leaving us a relatively honest election.
Look for the lefties to stage demonstrations in support of Tayvon Martin..it’s gonna be their centerpiece issue at the convention
Tampa is not “very liberal”. As a matter of fact, the Tampa Tribune is decidedly right-leaning compared to the St. Pete Times, which has a larger subscription base. Other than Sandy Freedman, we have had moderate mayors from both parties.
I would say that Tampa is 55% - 45% Dims. But most of my contemporaries (40-ish professionals) are all right leaning...except my best friend’s wife who is a whacky leftist.
Tampa is not “very liberal”. As a matter of fact, the Tampa Tribune is decidedly right-leaning compared to the St. Pete Times, which has a larger subscription base. Other than Sandy Freedman, we have had moderate mayors from both parties.
I would say that Tampa is 55% - 45% Dims. But most of my contemporaries (40-ish professionals) are all right leaning...except my best friend’s wife who is a whacky leftist.
um, that Trayvon Martin thing happened in Sanford, about 80 miles east-northeast of Tampa
not so sure...I live in S. Tampa...about 50-50 R/D
>As a matter of fact, the Tampa Tribune is decidedly right-leaning compared to the St. Pete Times,
LOL! The St. Petersburg Times is left of Pravda!
Tampa will vote blue blue blue, but thats pretty much known.
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