Republicans eyeing Tampa for 2012 convention

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Tampa appears to be the Republicans’ top choice for their presidential nominating convention in 2012.

A panel of Republican National Committee members was meeting Wednesday in Oxon Hill, Md., to recommend a site for the convention, which will name a presidential nominee.

Finalists besides Tampa are Salt Lake City and Phoenix. Any recommendation from the panel would still need formal approval from the full RNC in August.

Officials emphasized that panel members could surprise the GOP with another choice, but that Tampa appears to be the top contender. Florida is a perennial swing state where a convention could sway undecided voters.

-- Associated Press