Tampa wins GOP nod to host 2012 convention

“We got it!’’ RNC Secretary Sharon Day, a Floridian, shouted into a hotel hallway as she danced out of the closed-door meeting. “I think that we are one of the bellwether states. . . . We’ll be stronger for 2012. It will give us an opportunity to strengthen our volunteer base.’’

Florida, with its hefty 27 electoral votes, decided the 2000 election for George W. Bush. Obama won the state in 2008.

“This is a very important state politically,’’ Al Austin, chairman of the host committee, said in Tampa. “There are also a lot of people who can step up and make the kind of contributions we need.’’

Political conventions are a logistical test for any city, as thousands of people flock into the region, test infrastructure, and bring in millions of dollars. Tampa officials said transportation plans and security top the list of priorities.

“The host committee’s hard work and dedication resulted in a tremendous bid that we are confident will produce a successful event,’’ Michael Steele, RNC chairman, said.

Walking away from reporters after the meeting, Steele insisted the Arizona immigration uproar played no part in the convention choice. He said it was “purely a business decision.’’

Holly Hughes, a national committee member from Michigan who led the selection process, told reporters that it was a decision based on technical requirement, not politics, or personalities

“That was not part of our decision whatsoever,’’ she said. “It’s hotel space, the delegate experience — are we going to be able to accommodate the media; will the venue hold what we need it to hold?’’

Personalities, though, are the sideshow of the event slated to be largely staged at the St. Pete Times Forum.

As the committee was rejoicing over the announcement, Governor Charlie Crist of Florida was changing his party affiliation from Republican to “none’’ in his hometown of St. Petersburg. That cleared the way for Crist to seek the open Senate seat as an independent without first winning an uphill Republican primary campaign against tea party favorite Marco Rubio.