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GOP bid may be bad idea

By SUSAN THURSTON
Published June 16, 2006

Call me a party pooper, but I'm not that jazzed about the possibility of the Republican National Convention coming to Tampa in 2008.

While I love the idea of 50,000 delegates, journalists and visitors coming to Tampa to spend money in our hotels and restaurants, I oppose the huge expense and would regardless of the political party.

Hosting the shindig would cost $124-million, including $85-million from taxpayers. That's a ton of money to commit for a moving target of return.

Tampa's convention bid officials say the four-day event would generate $180-million in local spending. What's less known is the indirect spending, estimated at $300-million to $400-million. That's the tip money a Hooters server earns from a conventioneer and spends at WestShore Plaza, for example.

Those figures sound fabulous but shouldn't be taken to the bank so soon. They also don't come without a price.

Tampa's bid package counts on a lot of cash from local governments, which may or may not prove so generous. Mayor Pam Iorio has said the city would give $1-million but not a dime more, even though the bid package calls for $12.7-million from local government sources.

Event organizers also factored in $15-million from the Legislature. That's fine, but I'm not counting on it. Gov. Jeb Bush, the poster boy for Republicans, already has said he won't ask lawmakers for the money next year. After that, who knows. He'll be long out of office when the convention rolls around, and if a Democrat were sitting in Tallahassee, he might have other priorities.

Even if the money comes through, I fear we're jumping into dangerous waters. Consider all the cities that didn't want to bid on the convention, including Miami and Orlando, with lots more experience in this department. The Republican National Committee invited more than 30 cities to bid, but only Cleveland, Minneapolis, New York and Tampa pulled the trigger.

Several cities that declined cited the costs. A San Diego official told Times reporter Janet Zink that the city, admittedly in a financial crisis, has more pressing issues, such as repaving roads and improving its water systems. Hardly as scintillating as national politics, but high on many minds in Tampa.

Remember the struggle last year to raise fees for city water, sewer and solid waste services? Remember Alberto a few days ago? Once again, police had to close Bayshore because of flooding. And it only rained a few inches.

Which, of course, brings us to weather.

The convention would fall Sept. 1-4, just when hurricane season starts to get serious. Historically, those dates have been pretty safe, and chances are we would be spared. But who wants to take the chance when millions of dollars are on the line? Especially now, when the annual number of forecast storms is on the rise, not decline?

Even if the big stuff stays away, early September isn't the best time in Tampa. We don't get Indian summer. Temperatures climbed to 93 last Sept. 3 and forecasts showed thunderstorms all week. Not exactly glorious weather for walking from the convention center to Channelside in a suit and tie.

Those chomping for the national spotlight should be prepared for some logistical headaches, among them traffic, road closures and security checks. Motivational speaker Zig Ziglar's morning appearance before about 20,000 at the St. Pete Times Forum in March caused gridlock citywide, turning 10-minute commutes into an hour. Imagine multiplying those numbers trying to maneuver downtown, even during Labor Day weekend.

Better start taking mass transit now. Hah!

The wild card in all of this is protesters. One estimate put the count at 500,000, many of whom will sleep in tents throughout downtown. That seems way high, but who can predict the national mood in 2008? Continued, or increased, bloodshed in Iraq could rally the masses.

Also keep in perspective the exposure factor. Sure, conventioneers who enjoy Tampa will tell their friends, who might book a trip here. But don't expect all eyes in America to be on Tampa. National conventions are no American Idol when it comes to television ratings. In fact, an estimated 22.8-million people are expected to watch the convention per night compared with 141-million for the Super Bowl, which Tampa will host in 2009 for a fraction of the taxpayers' cost, by the way.

And if something bad happens here, like a riot or hurricane, all eyes will be on Tampa, but they won't be looking favorably.

The national committee is expected to name the "winner" in January. Here's one time I'm hoping Tampa is the loser.

THE LAST DROP: Tampa gets its first taste of a huge convention when 20,000 Shriners and their families come to Tampa the first week in July. Check out the "Hello Shriners!" logo to be posted on businesses, street poles and banners across the city. Nice idea, but can anyone easily make out the silhouetted palm tree in the background? Looks like a green blob to me.

Susan Thurston can be reached at thurston@sptimes.com or 226-3394.

[Last modified June 16, 2006, 15:06:00]