Hillsborough School Employees Line Up Early to Support Romney

The Seffner residents arrived at 2 p.m. to get a spot in the front of the line.

Three Hillsborough County School District employees arrived at Land O' Lakes High School at 2 p.m. Saturday to make sure they were among the first inside for Mitt Romney rally. "We know we need to get (President Barack) Obama out," Donna Posey said. "This country can't last another four years with him." Posey and her husband, Robert, of Seffner, said they wanted to avoid the lines and ensure they got a good spot once inside, she said. The Poseys were joined by friend and former colleague Kathy Giel of Seminole Heights, a retired Hillsborough school district employee. And while they were waiting patiently at the front of the line to enter John Benedetto Stadium, where gates opened at about 4:30 p.m., about a dozen members of the Pasco …

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What Time is the Presidential Debate Tonight?

President Barack Obama and Gov. Mitt Romney debate one last time Monday night in Boca Raton.

Tell us who you think won: Obama vs. Romney: Who Won the 3rd Debate? Tonight is the big battle in Boca Raton, as Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and President Barack Obama debate in Florida for their final presidential candidates' forum This is the third and final presidential debate, and it will air at 9 p.m EST on Monday, Oct. 22. Check below for more information on that debate and the remaining debates leading up to Election Day. The questions are suppose to cover foreign policy, but as we've found out in each of the debates, any topic can come up. Whether you're in Boca or sitting on a Banyan tree, you can join Patch for a live chat tonight starting at 8:45 p.m. AOL will provide a live stream of the debate. TV Channels Broadcasting Live…

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Romney Focuses on Debate, Not Jobs Report in St. Pete

Gov. Mitt Romney and his supporters continued to tout his strong debate performance from Wednesday night, in hopes to build momentum before the November election.

Off the heels of a strong debate performance Wednesday, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney hammered home his plan Friday at St. Pete Pier Park in front of thousands of supporters. “I enjoyed that debate a couple nights ago,” Romney said with a big smile. He said he was able to ask the president directly about his "failed" jobs and economic policies. He said if Obama is re-elected and the current debt rate continues, “That would be $20 trillion, if he would be re-elected,” Romney said. “That would put in jeopardy the American Dream. I’m going to make sure we cut and cap federal (spending)." Ann Romney, who introduced her husband Friday, said the debates gave Americans the chance to “see the real Mitt Romney.” “I was so thrilled at the …

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Where Do I Vote Aug. 14? And Other Primary Election Day Reminders

Polls for the 2012 Primary Election in Hillsborough County open 7 a.m. Aug. 14. Who's on the ballot? Where do I vote? What counts as valid identification? What does it mean to be a "closed-primary state?" Use this Election Day Guide and get ready to vote.

  The 2012 Primary Election gets under way Aug. 14 with polls opening at 7 a.m. and closing 12 hours later, with questions posed and answered online by the Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections Office. Here's a quick look at what you need to know in the hours leading up to the opening of the polls. (For more information, visit www.HillsboroughVotes.com.) What Does It Mean To Be a 'Closed-Primary' State Florida is a closed-primary state, which means only voters registered with a political party can vote in that party's primary election. For example, only Republicans can vote to advance the race of either State Rep. Rachel Burgin (R-59) or former state Senate president Tom Lee. Burgin and Lee are the sole Republican candidates for the …

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Conservatives Wave SIgns Outside Westfield Brandon Entrance

The Hillsborough County Republican Party and the Alafia Republican Club report in Facebook posts and pictures the sign-waving event for conservatives, outside the Brandon Boulevard entrance to Westfield Brandon on July 26.

  The Hillsborough County Republican Party reported on Facebook what it called a strong showing July 26 outside the Brandon Boulevard entrance to the Westfield Brandon shopping mall, where conservative Republicans met to wave signs. "Over 50 people showed up!" the post reads, crediting the Alafia Republican CLub for a series of photos that accompanied the news. As noted in a Brandon Patch preview of the event, the party's aim was for Greater Brandon conservatives to  "get in the game to defeat Obama." Credit for organizing the event was given to Kelly Clem-Rickon and Jeff Lukens. Republican candidates with conservative platforms were encouraged to attend. "We want to generate some excitement for the conservatives running for office at all …

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What's Brandon Saying About Romney's Tax Returns?

Should Mitt Romney have to release more financial records?

Earlier this week, we asked Tampa Bay area residents to chime in with their thoughts on Mitt Romney's tax returns. While there have been calls for Romney to release more than just his 2010 and partial 2011 returns to the public, Patch readers had mixed feelings. Here’s what one Brandon Patch reader had to say: Jery Elliott Just look at Romney's religious upbringing. For good or bad the Mormon church is very insular and that comes off as secretive and cultish to the outside world. It is his nature to not share personal information. Unfortunately for him he has stepped into a world where his private life is no longer private. What do you think? Let us know in the comments section.

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What's Tampa Bay Saying?

Are Mitt Romney's Tax Returns Fair Game?

Amid calls for Mitt Romney to reveal more financial information, should presidential candidates be required to disclose their income tax returns?

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney has released his 2010 tax return and an estimate of his 2011 return, but for some critics, that's not enough. From a recent Washington Post editorial to President Barack Obama's campaign ads, the calls for Romney to reveal more of his financial information have gotten louder as the campaign season continues. Presidential candidates aren't required to disclose their tax returns, as Reuters points out, although it's become common practice. Obama and Vice President Joe Biden have released tax returns dating back to 2000, and Romney's father, George, released 12 years of returns when he ran for president back in 1968. What's your take? Should Romney and other presidential candidates be forced to …

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Tampa Shares Obama's Visit, Speech On Social Media

PARTICIPATE 2012: See what everyone's saying about President Barack Obama's speech in Tampa today.

Even before President Barack Obama will speak in Tampa today, everyone's online talking about his presence, policy and politics.  Patch is rounding up what you're saying about Obama using the Storify widget above.  Obama is not expected to speak until 4:15 p.m. at the Hillsborough Community College Dale Mabry Campus, but the process is already beginning as the audience who received free tickets are passing through security now.

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