As goes Vinoy Park so goes the nation? More than 1,200 people have plunked down $20 to attend the "Have your say in Tampa Bay" straw poll and debate watch rally Wednesday in St. Petersburg. Organized by area GOP officials, the event will feature barbecue, a giant screen to watch the debate, and a chance for Tampa Bay Republicans to cast a vote that, while officially meaningless, could help signal the leanings of Republicans in Florida’s biggest battleground region.

"No presidential campaign has gone and bought a block of tickets yet, but a couple of them are talking about it,’’ said Neil Brickfield, an organizer who said each of the presidential hopefuls also has been invited to address the crowd and buy a $150 booth.