Big Donors to Get Private GOP Meetings at the Vinoy

"FOR GOP MEGA-DONORS, A CONVENTION OF THEIR OWN" via POLITICO

Politico is reoprting that the Vinoy Hotel in St. Petersburg and the Westin Tampa Harbour Island will host special VIP meetings for donors committed to raising $250,000 or more. "Stars," in the campaign's parlance, get to attend briefings with Jeb Bush, Rice, Haley, Tim Pawlenty, Bob McDonnell and other big names, according to an agenda obtained by POLITICO.

Jeb Bush on 'To Meet the Press'; Rubio Will 'Face the Nation'

 Jeb Bush will be the guest on Sunday morning on Meet the Press - amazingly his first ever appearance on the show. This week's Meet the Press will be broadcast from Tampa, where the Republican Convention will start Monday, and where Bush will be highly visible. Florida U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, meanwhile, will be on Face the Nation.

GOP DELEGATES TO NOMINATE ROMNEY ON MONDAY, RATHER THAN WEDNESDAY by Jeff Zeleny of the New York Times

"Mitt Romney will be elevated as the party's standard bearer on Monday - not Wednesday as previously expected - to keep the official business of the roll call delegate vote from competing with broader themes of introducing Romney. Officials also are keeping an eye on a potential threat from Tropical Storm Isaac and considering concerns about a possible disruption from Ron Paul supporters at the Republican National Convention next week."

Romney Campaign to Use Square at the RNC

  The campaign will announce a convention-wide rollout of Square, a device on the cutting edge of mobile donations, reports James Hohmann of POLITICO. Square-enabled phones and devices will be used throughout the 2012 Republican national convention providing a quick and easy way for delegates and visitors to make donations and buy souvenirs with a simple swipe of their credit card onto a mobile device. 'We are excited to be the first Presidential campaign to make serious use of Square devices at a major event like a national convention.' Zac Moffatt, Digital Director of the Romney campaign, says in a forthcoming statement. This lets grassroots supporters accept credit and debit card donations, which should help Mitt with small-dollar donors. Square devices will also be provided to each Victory location.

 Uber, the App-Based Car Service, Rolls Into Tampa

Delegates aren't the only ones descending on Tampa for the RNC - there's also Uber. The app-based click-for-a-car service will be there with a ready fleet of slick sedans. Rachel Holt, the general manager of Uber's branch in the nation's capital, said the company has already begun partnering with limousine companies in Tampa and Charlotte to offer service at both conventions. And the reason is simple. "Actually, some folks who work at the conventions reached out to us originally," Holt said. "They were folks who had used and experienced our services in D.C. and in other cities." But in D.C. and those other cities, the service has faced obstacles.

WASHINGTON POST EDITORIAL: FLORIDA ELECTION LAW THREATENS THE VOTE IN KEY SWING STATE

As with many of the voter limitations imposed by Republican state governments since they won election in 2010, these measures are likely to favor Republican candidates - and Florida is the ultimate swing state. Thankfully, a federal judge in Florida has issued a preliminary injunction against the law, which would interfere with the ability of organizations like the League of Women Voters to register voters in time for the election. That's good for now, but any attempt to discourage participation at the polls should be struck down for good.

International Franchisers to Host Hurricane Party

In the swirl of Republican National Convention parties, receptions and miscellaneous shindiggery, the International Franchise Association plans to distinguish itself (and capitalize on current events) with a Hurricane Happy Hour on Sunday at the Hurricane Grill in Tampa, Fla. "Kick off your convention week by telling Isaac to take a hike," an invitation reads. No charge to attend, the association's Matt Haller says and "we expect members of Congress, congressional candidates, Hill and campaign staff, members of the media and most importantly our IFA members" to be there. Invite here.