Palin pauling? Reserves space in Tampa near RNC

[Valli6]

Copying Paul's methods again. Seems she is planning an alternative event.
4/11/12

Sarah Palin PAC pays for space in Tampa
Sarah Palin’s political action committee raised $388,000 in the first three months of the year, but it spent $418,000 and didn’t give a dime to any candidates — which is the purported purpose of the PAC.

Instead, Sarah PAC spent $255,000 on fundraising and a small team of political consultants that Palin has continued to support even as she receded from the political spotlight during the heat of the GOP presidential primary. It also appears to have spent $19,000 on a video rebutting the HBO film “Game Change.”

The PAC also paid $4,500 to reserve space at Channelside Bay Mall in Tampa, Fla., near the site of the Republican National Convention, suggesting that Palin plans to have an independent presence at the event separate from the formal proceedings.
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0412/75036.html

[Deborah K]

Well we have an event happening too: www.paulfestival.com We'll see who pulls in more supporters.

[Valli6]

Maybe she just wants to attract interviews and sell books.

But the space at Channelside — a short walk from the Forum — will allow her an independent platform away from the formal event and access to some of the 15,000 journalists expected to cover the convention.
http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/stateroundup/sarah-palin-setting-up-shop-at-channelside-for-gop-convention/1224557

Here's St. Pete Times Forum- where The RNC will be held. http://www.tampabaytimesforum.com/
Here's Channelside Bay Plaza http://www.channelsidebayplaza.com/about.html

[sailingaway]

Probably the establishment response to try to shut out if Ron does. And doubtless some who don't know Ron did this exact thing in 2008 will think he stole it from her if he goes that route.

[Valli6]

Probably the establishment response to try to shut out if Ron does. And doubtless some who don't know Ron did this exact thing in 2008 will think he stole it from her if he goes that route.
Exactly the sense that I got from it.
("Oh! Look at Sarah! What a fighter! Such a rebel! Tea Party darling! Really connects with people!...") :rolleyes: :mad:

But looking at the place, I'm not sure it's big enough to accomodate any kind of crowd. This 2010 article suggests it can't hold more than a few thousand or so people.

Channelside was designed as an upscale specialty retail center with restaurants and entertainment when it opened beside the Florida Aquarium in 2001. The center is home to a 10-screen cinema, a Hooters and a Bennigan's. But the biggest crowds show up for special events tied to holidays and sports events at the nearby St. Pete Times Forum.

Those crowds concern Tampa's fire marshal. The only approved emergency exit from the courtyard is a walkway running past Hooters, not large enough to handle 1,000 or more people. The fire marshal has approved special events when the facility has provided an additional exit though a gate to a port dock.

http://www.tampabay.com/news/business/article1071908.ece

[AGRP]

A mall? Smart. Thats what Romney, Santorum, and Gingrich should have done. Have their rallies at malls so it looks like they have supporters when in reality they're shopping, going to Hooters, or seeing a movie.