Tampa bracing for Isaac as RNC comes to town

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-- the guys charges of making so all those Republicans are happy and he's a Democrat.

He's Bob Bob going and he's the mayor of Tampa mayor very good to have you how are things looking in your -- city.

Things are looking great -- Tampa has never looked better we have prepared for a year and a half to host the Republican National Convention we couldn't be more excited about it.

You know I sick you just for the record is not a campaigning in -- Floridians.

Has thrown a little wrinkle in it but you know where we deal with these storms every year and we're prepared to deal with us what.

If I always say can I know you just want attention and and and and focus on your city is as -- want but it's Republicans gather all around you.

And you're in the belly of their -- now his Villa.

I feel great for me it's never been a partisan event -- it's always been an economic development opportunity for my city.

Our city is proud to host of I'm a Democrat you're right but I couldn't be prouder to be the mayor of the city that's hosting the Republican National Convention.

Wii -- we've worked as a team together it's been seamless.

I think we're gonna put on a good show and I think they're gonna fall in love with Tampa just like I do every -- And what that date ticket you do such a good job in the convention -- so well.

That guy you you helped out becomes president states would not -- -- case.

Well you know I'd say it is what it is it is what it is -- -- You know you talk about the body just brings into cities and you're quite right a convention homes become quite a financial draw.

But if if the if even all we see -- this storm -- came whatever it ultimately becomes.

Is a lot of rain that's going to be a big damper in that regard moment.

Well obviously -- when you come to Florida and you -- something like this in Florida there is always a chance that this might happen.

Clearly that would not be your preferred course you know we want the -- to be shot in in the -- to be busy.

But ultimately we're gonna deal with what mother nature has set lesson and I think for the folks that will be coming here there'll be some rain on Monday they'll be some wind on Monday.

But the remaining three days of the convention ought to be beautiful.

You know we're prepare for -- we train for this all year long do indeed it.

It comes with living in the tropics and you know we can't control it and so we live with it and we prepare fort.

And we hope the visitors have a great time there may be somewhat -- but other than that any every day after Monday ought to be -- But you guys scared of -- right when you said we prepared to if necessary.

Canceled this thing now obviously you -- just expressing an abundance of caution in the event it gets bad but a lot of people were all mobile on that saying you're overreacting where -- Well if you can't ever.

-- not react to the circumstances and and that was a hypothetical question that was -- to -- about.

A category three or four storm taking a direct hit on Tampa.

-- clearly all of us recognize.

That my obligation in the governor's obligation is the safety and welfare of the people who live here as well as our visitors.

That was a very very hypothetical scenario but is that yeah.

Know what they say -- that your call.

What the governor's call or bolt your calls because then the issue be -- the democratic mayor is the Republican governor and there could be a fight.

Well now I think the governor and I would be on the same page because we'd be reacting to the same information.

The RNC would be partners with us as they have been for a year and a half -- not gonna do anything without consulting our partners the governor would declare state of emergency.

If it got down to it the issue of the evacuation would be my call and the RNC as far as their proceedings go.

That is totally within the purview of the RNC -- but all of us would react the same way.

That was not be a real.

Likely scenario.

-- that evacuation has never -- consider pulling the plug on the convention has never been considered.

This is a tropical storm maybe a category one storm in all likelihood more than a hundred miles off the coast to Tampa.

There will be some wind on Monday they'll be some rain but absent that you know it's going to be a great three days.

You know even your critics must admit -- you've got to be a heck of a cells because.

The Republicans are in Tampa during parkinson's.

Somehow you sold them on well and that being a good idea how to act and -- car got.

Headed there today are.

In the -- -- it's all gonna -- I think it's gonna go fine I mean I think out of this will come a nominee.

The democratic process will work Tampa -- shine they'll be some inconveniences they'll be protesters.

We're gonna deal with them the world will meet Tampa -- like it's never met Tampa before and I think what it's also a done deal.

My goal is to be the Republican national committee's favorite mayor and favorite city now.

So far they they agree with that I think I'm I am curious though and away the good thing about the rain and if it doesn't get much worse than that.

Is it might keep protesters away a lot of security officials even former security types like.

Michael Brown were telling me that could work seat to a guy like your advantage because you don't have to worry about those protests as much steadier -- Well I do it but I also think that I have an obligation to make sure that.

The folks that are protesting are aware of just how dangerous.

Some these storms can be found you know on the other side of that equation is I'm not sure a lot of these people.

That are coming out of -- realize how hot it is during the middle of day in and the need for hydration.

We know if you're gonna sit in the middle of an intersection.

In downtown Tampa on the pavement you're not gonna last but about three minutes.

Because it's hot it is it is hot it is -- and they may be more appreciative of Tampa fire rescue when they stop start dropping like flies because they -- -- themselves.

So it's a it's a different environment down here and if you show up -- a black turtleneck and a mask.

In the middle of -- came over it.

It's a year you know we're -- to get -- we're gonna bring you -- -- all right horizontally I guess.

Thank you very either I understood -- -- -- Buckland thank you very much.

And I don't -- what side you're on political and and that that's a Smart dude -- -- he got Republicans to come to Florida in hurricane season game over Smart guy.

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Tampa bracing for Isaac as RNC comes to town

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