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Lessons from Chicago

On the first day of the NATO summit last weekend, an estimated 3,000 protesters with every message imaginable swarmed Chicago. Tampa police officials were there, hoping to glean lessons for the coming Republican convention.

Protests

Park reserved for conventioneers

Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, the city's showpiece on the Hillsborough River, is being reserved as a social spot for conventioneers during the Republican National Convention — not as a rallying point for protesters.

Running mate

VP search enters
the audition phase

As Mitt Romney's campaign evaluates potential running mates, Republicans with a possible shot at the No. 2 spot on the presidential ticket are starting to engage in unofficial public tryouts for the traditional vice presidential role of attack dog.

Local guide
GOP candidates

Delegate counter

More statements from the race

Official convention website

RNC Convention Countdown

Time until the convention begins on Monday, Aug. 27:

weeks

days

hours

minutes

Top 10 Things To Do in Tampa

More articles | Beaches
Restaurants | Attractions
Nightlife | Subscribe

RNC Committee Blog

The official blog of the RNC Host Committee

Mitt Romney

Former governor of Massachusetts

Profile: Mitt Romney leads 2012 field, but many Republicans pine for someone else
PolitiFact: Mitt Romney's file

Ron Paul

House member from Texas

Profile: Ron Paul spreading same message as always, resonating finally
PolitiFact: Ron Paul's file

Michele Bachmann

House member from Minnesota

Dropped out: Bachmann ended her campaign on Jan. 5 after the Iowa caucuses
PolitiFact: Farewell, Michele Bachmann

Herman Cain

Former CEO of Godfather’s Pizza

Dropped out: His campaign ended in early December, leaving questions about where his supporters would go
Politico: Herman Cain's presidential campaign: A legacy of ineptitude
Miami Herald: 10 political lessons from Herman

Newt Gingrich

Former speaker of the House

Dropped out: Suspended his campaign on May 3
Profile: Surviving valleys brings Newt Gingrich to a new peak
PolitiFact: Newt Gingrich's file

Jon Huntsman

Former ambassador to China and governor of Utah

Dropped out: Huntsman ended his campaign after the New Hampshire primary
PolitiFact: Jon Huntsman's file

Gary Johnson

Former governor of New Mexico

Switched to Libertarian party: Long shot candidate says he won't give up
PolitiFact: Gary Johnson's profile

Rick Perry

Governor of Texas

Dropped out: Perry ended his bid shortly before the South Carolina primary
PolitiFact: Rick Perry's file

Buddy Roemer

Former governor of Lousiana

Dropped out: Roemer was left off the Florida ballot
Profile: Onetime political wunderkind Buddy Roemer faces long odds in 2012 bid
PolitiFact: Buddy Roemer's file

Rick Santorum

Former U.S. senator from Pennsylvania

Santorum drops out: Suspended his campaign on April 10
Profile: Rick Santorum 2012 modeled after Mike Huckabee 2008
PolitiFact: Rick Santorum's profile

About the 2012 Republican National Convention

The 2012 Republican National Convention is coming to Tampa, FL, and the Tampa Bay Times and tampabay.com are covering the GOP campaign trail leading up to it. This is your page for RNC news and insights, as the presidential campaigns travel the nation and as convention delegates descend on the Tampa Bay area in summer 2012.

When is the RNC/Republican National Convention? The week of Aug. 27, 2012.

Where is the RNC/Republican National Convention? The Tampa Bay Times Forum in Tampa, FL

Who is hosting the RNC/Republican National Convention?

Where are the delegates staying?
The convention delegates are staying at 35 hotels and resorts in Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco counties. Interactive map of the hotel locations | Guide to each hotel's neighborhood

Special Reports

Read our special reports on Rick Scott and Marco Rubio.