COULD WE SEE A REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE FROM TAMPA? WELL, AT LEAST HEAR IT???

A couple of newspaper blogs are noting that the Republican presidential candidates could gather in mid-June for a debate which would be aired on primarily Christian and conservative news/talk stations from the University of South Florida.

The Miami Herald political blog Naked Politics is noting that the event is tenatively set for June 14 and would be broadcast by the Salem Radio Network, an Irving, Texas based operation best known for hosting programmes by former Reagan-era Secretary of Education and "drug czar" Bill Bennett and former Jerry Falwell lapdog Cal Thomas. The debate would also be available online at the conservative Web site Townhall.com, with a straw poll to be held afterward.

Meanwhile, the Tampa Tribune political blog March on Politics reports that the first wannabee to agree to participate is former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney. Discussions are reportedly underway with other GOP contenders, which could affect the actual date and/or location.

The GOP contenders are also expected to debate in Orlando on October 20 during the state party convention. You guessed right, it would be broadcast by Fox News.