Obviously a lot of factors are weighed — from the purely political to the largely logistical — when a political party decides what city it wants to serve as host for its national convention. From whether it’s in a state colored red or blue to whether there are enough hotel rooms and sufficient space for delegates and media.
In Tampa’s case, winning the 2012 GOP convention, even after four Super Bowls, is still a coup. An influx of 40,000 to 45,000 people in the visitor-challenged summer is big. So is the international exposure and economic-impact number — by whatever formula is applied. And the city and state won’t be on the hook for a dime.
But amid all the variables, including the competition, there has been one constant in every GOP convention pitch by Tampa. The singular, host committee presence of long-time developer Al Austin, “Mr. GOP” around here — and one of the foremost fund-raising mavens in the country.
He’s been a key point man for previous attempts. He’s been bitterly disappointed, but only showed the disappointed side and always took the high road. In an atmosphere of polarizing politics, he remains a stalwart Republican without morphing into a zero-sum cartoon. He’s a gentleman in an era of rogue political cachet.
Now in his 80s, Austin didn’t have many more of these brass-ring quests left. The 2012 GOP convention is assuredly a coup for Tampa — but it’s also climactic for Al Austin, a civic natural resource for Tampa. Well timed, well done. Thank you.