Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney speaks at the Port of Tampa about trade police and jobs.
Tampa, Florida -- The Port of Tampa appears to have violated its own policy with a Mitt Romney appearance that happened at the Port on November 29. The 10 News Investigators have discovered the Port did not charge Romney for use of space.
The Port of Tampa is a public agency which is supposed to remain neutral and avoid helping any political candidate. But when a candidate gets a freebie for a political event, it is considered an "in kind" contribution, which is the same as giving public money to that candidate.
If you listen to any of the speech Romney gave while he was on public property, it is obvious what he was doing here: campaigning for the Republican presidential nomination.
When we questioned the Port about the free space that was given to Romney, Senior Director of communication Jon Thorington sent an email saying, "The Tampa Port Authority must at all times maintain political impartiality; we do not allow political fundraisers or any other events of purely political nature. ... we were approached by Governor Romney's campaign about the possibility of Governor Romney touring the Port of Tampa, to be followed by a small media event. We did not charge for the space in this event."
But keep in mind the Port was approached by the campaign -- which is a political organization -- and the public and media listened to Romney's speech. It was pure politics, with Romney saying what he would do if he was to become president.
Although the Port maintains it has in the past hosted the President, the U.S attorney general, Congress members and cabinet officials, the country is in the midst of a raging political campaign and the Port provided a free venue for one of the candidates who hopes to be the presidential nominee when the GOP meets here in August.
Taxpayers have a right to be upset and angry at the Port and those that made the decision to help a candidate and violate its own policy.