Mega-FAIL.
TAMPA, Fla. — It’s three o’clock on a sticky, steamy afternoon, and “Romneyville,” the Occupy-inspired encampment protesting the Republican National Convention, feels deserted. Fewer than a half dozen people are around the site, which is tucked behind an Army-Navy thrift store on the outer reaches of this city’s downtown.
“It might be the heat,” 30-year-old Harry Hoffman said by way of explaining the lack of protesters. Temperatures were pushing 95 degrees, but it felt hotter, even under the shade of a tent.
Tampa officials poured $50 million into security for the convention, expecting up to 15,000 protesters to flood the city during the four-day event. But the ranks of protesters have fallen far below expectations.