Romney Takes the Tailgate in Tampa

Tampa, Florida, January 23, 2008
Ranger Eyewitness report.

The Alfano Center, owned by Deborah Cox, has been the host of the Hillsborough County Florida Republican Executive Club since the retirement of Margie Kincaid in 2008. The soul of the Republican party in Florida has always been the conservative women and their unfailing back office support. Old ladies in sneakers, the hands that rock the cradle, rule the world. It is women such as these who carry on the legacy of Ronald Reagan, and they are breaking in a big way for Mitt Romney. Ever since Deborah Cox saw Mitt speak last February 2007, Deborah has placed her personal resources in this key county at the disposal of the Romney camp. And in doing so, she has become fast friends to the legion of youthful Republicans who came of age long after Ronald Reagan left office, and now rally to the Romney banner.

Three hundred Mitt supporters gathered in the parking lot today to rally for Mitt Romney. Mitt had just left the Lee Moffit Cancer Center of the University of South Florida to meet his fans in the sunshine and the breeze. The Alfano Center is across Fowler Avenue from the University of South Florida main campus. At lunch, Mitt delivered a policy address on health care at the Cancer Center. Mitt stressed the free market solutions of the Massachusetts model of health care insurance, and the importance of maintaining the freedom of the American health insurance system from the onus of a government single payer system, which always trends to mediocrity and stifles innovation.

The exit of Fred Thompson from the Presidential race has offered a great opportunity to Romney. Fred and Mitt have staked out a territory of conservatism in this election more in keeping with the Reagan brand, and Mitt has been gracious to welcome the Fredheads into the campaign. The exit of Thompson from the race shows the wisdom of waiting to vote until election day. Last week, Thompson could almost be seen to be a viable candidate, until his defeat in South Carolina Saturday. Those who voted early or voted absentee for Fred Thompson will see their votes count for little except a lost cause.

Mike Huckabee had a half dozen "protesters" who stood on the median of six lane Fowler Avenue. They earned the ire of the management of the Wingate Hotel, because they chose to park their "Huckabus" 40 foot RV in the parking lot of the hotel, without asking permission while they sign waved. This caused turmoil because of the crowded parking lot, already loaded with paying customers.

Mitt is not above the rigors of campaigning, he enjoys it. Governor Romney was introduced by State Representative Trey Traviesa, a charismatic young leader of Tampa's Latin roots. Al Cardenas also warmed up the group for Mitt. Al is the longtime leader of the Republican Party of Florida, since the Governorship of Bob Martinez. Mitt is doing well with conservative Hispanics and black Republican. One local black leader, Eddie Adams, a candidate for Congress, has turned over his campaign staff to help Romney in these final days before the election. Romney spoke from the tailgate of an F-150 Ford truck through a Public address system. He spoke of the challenges of the economy, and the necessity of true business experience in heading off a looming recession. Mitt has a three part plan to help:

-Individuals: Governor Romney would permanently reduce the lowest income tax bracket, permanently eliminate payroll taxes on seniors and make middle-class savings tax free.

- Businesses: Governor Romney would institute immediate 100% expensing of equipment for two years and permanently reduce the corporate tax rate.

- Homeowners: Governor Romney would reform and expand Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loan portfolio limits to allow larger loans to homeowners.

Gov. Romney also spoke of the necessity of increasing the size of the military to meet the challenges of jihad. A large portion of the speech was about winning - making the phone calls, posting the signs and turning out the vote. He stayed to shake hands, pose for pictures and sign autographs. As the event ended, "Mittens" (beautiful young Republican women) could be seen, collecting extra campaign signs from the median on the highway to take home to their neighborhoods.