By Erika Icon
YNOT – The real action during this week’s Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., isn’t inside the Tampa Bay Times Forum but at nightclubs in the city nicknamed the Strip Club Capital of the World.
Lisa Ann, justifiably famous for her portrayal of Serra Paylin — a not-even-thinly-disguised parody of former Republican vice-presidential candidate and Alaska governor Sarah Palin — unofficially kicked off the convention at nude club Thee DollHouse. Her weekend performances on GOP-themed sets reportedly lit up the stage when she doffed business suits and corsets to expose a 38DD bosom that could rival Mt. Rushmore.
Thee DollHouse confirmed that some attending Ann’s shows were in town from Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C. to attend the RNC. The crowd, a spokesperson said, was dressed more conservatively and wore nicer clothes than the club’s usual patrons.
Ann won’t be the only porn star in town. Honey Hole Entertainment has assembled a roster of XXX models and adult film stars for a tour of local strip clubs. Lelu Love, Britney Amber, Tia Cyrus and many others are schedule to hit stages at Tampa Gold Club, Emperor’s Tampa, Bliss Clearwater and Emperor’s Pasco.
The real question is whether conventioneers will be a boon for strip club owners. Many owners say the RNC action won’t compare to what they experienced during Super Bowl XLIII in February 2009. The RNC delegates aren’t looking to party, they say, so the Republican convention probably won’t represent a cash cow.
“A lot of people are thinking it’s going to be a super homerun, but it’s not,” said promoter Jason Lange, who booked some private parties for RNC delegates as well as several acts for Tampa-area clubs. “The Mitt Romneys aren’t going to go into adult entertainment clubs.”
The convention itself got off to what some pundits have categorized as an ironic — or preordained — start after a delay caused by forecasts that Hurricane Isaac might make landfall southern Florida. The storm made a course correction and hit New Orleans overnight Tuesday instead.
Other potential public relations black eyes have plagued the RNC, though. Singer-producer Wyclef Jean cancelled a performance, and security personnel removed two delegates after they threw peanuts at a black CNN camerawoman while taunting her with racial slurs.
