Republicans descend on Tampa
Local delegates beat Isaac to Florida as they prepare for Romney’s nomination at GOP national convention
By Jimmy Vielkind
• jvielkind@timesunion.com • 518-454-5081 • @JimmyVielkind
TAMPA, Fla. — They flew through a crisp August sky into the path of a tropical storm, all for the glory of Mitt.
Delegates to the Republican National Convention — including a dozen from the greater Capital Region — arrived in the Gulfside city this weekend ahead of Tropical Storm Isaac, which is expected to bring wind and rain through Monday.
Convention planners canceled Monday’s agenda out of “an abundance of caution.” While Isaac’s exact track remained unpredictable, the storm was no drag on delegates preparing to nominate ex-Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney for president, they said.
“I was on Nantucket when Hurricane Bob went through. The worst-case scenario is that you’ve got about five hours of wind and rain, and then you get a nice, sunny day behind it,” said Don Clarey, chairman of the Albany County Republican Committee and an at-large delegate.
He attended his first convention in 1976, working as a logistics aide for President Gerald Ford in Kansas City, Mo. At that time, party conventions played a critical role in shaping the ticket and platform — Clarey worked to ensure the nomination of Kansas Sen. Bob Dole as vice president. This is his fifth convention, but the first where he’ll serve as a formal delegate.
Nowadays, the gatherings — which organizers estimate will draw 50,000 people — have more symbolic meaning. Clarey cast it as a chance to reunite with old friends, as well as a “trade show for political junkies,” but it’s generally seen as a chance for the party to gel its message and rally around its ticket, Romney and running mate Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin, after a bruising primary season.
“I’m expecting a lot of enthusiasm about our two candidates,” said Joe Emanuele, chairman of the Montgomery County Republican Party and a delegate.
“The whole country is now feeling the momentum of their campaign, and this convention is going to put it all together.”
New York’s delegates are staying in a beachside hotel in Clear-water, more than a dozen miles from the convention floor at the downtown Tampa Bay Times Forum. Most formal programming begins in the afternoon and runs through the late evening, but daily breakfasts will rally delegates at the hotel. There are also myriad presentations and panels — including workshops led by former House Speaker Newt Gingrich — and, of course, gallons of Champagne to be passed at countless parties.
Other delegates from the area include Sen. Hugh Farley, R-Niskayuna; Assemblyman George Amedore, R-Rotterdam; and Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro. Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, a Long Islander who is the state’s highest-ranking Republican, is also attending with several aides and other senators.
He, along with most other New York Republicans, lined up early behind Romney. State Republican Chairman Ed Cox remained neutral in the contest, welcoming Romney along with several other potential nominees as they traveled to the state for fundraising trips.
According to Bob Bellafiore, a former press secretary to Gov. George Pataki, the convention will give Cox a chance to show his GOP brethren that their subsidiary in the Empire State, a Democratic stronghold, is well-run.
“There are some questions, in the conventional wisdom — that’s no pun — about the strength of the party here. They have to continue to show they’ve got their act together and show they have a plan going forward,” Bellafiore said. “No one expects the state GOP to turn New York for Romney, but there are congressional races that are important for the GOP to win and have an impact nationally.”
That includes two local races, where Matt Doheny is attempting to oust Rep. Bill Owens, D-Plattsburgh, and Kinderhook Rep. Chris Gibson is fighting for re-election in a district reconfigured to include more Democrats. Neither Doheny nor Gibson will be in Tampa, their aides said.
And there is, as always, an eye to 2016. Two New York Republicans who have previously flirted with national runs — ex-Mayor Rudy Giuliani and ex-Gov. George Pataki — will be at the convention, but the state is currently without a rising national star. The opposite is true for New York Democrats, who have high national aspirations for Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand and Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
No worry, says Clarey. He’ll be looking closely at South Dakota Sen. John Thune and Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, who will formally nominate Romney on Thursday night. Both Emanuele and Clarey were excited for New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who will deliver the keynote address on Tuesday night.
Clarey’s seen this game before, and at this point, he enjoys the view.
“Usually it’s the first effort that candidates make in getting known and getting around,” he said. “Anyone thinking of running in 2016 has an agenda that’s parallel in getting Mitt Romney nominated, and that’s to get known and meet political people from places like Iowa.”
SCOTT APPLEWHITE/ASSOCIATED PRESS
RON DARLING and other workers load nets full of balloons ahead of Republican National Convention festivities in Tampa, Fla.
JIMMY VIELKIND/TIMES UNION
FORMER NEW YORK gubernatorial candidate John Faso chats with Columbia County Republican Chairman Greg Fingar as they arrive at the Tampa airport on Sunday for the Republican convention.
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