GOP To Pick '12 Convention Spot - Arizona, Florida And Utah In Final Three

The Republican National Committee has narrowed down possible locations for the 2012 presidential nominating convention, with Phoenix, Tampa and Salt Lake City making the final three.

A 12-member team of top Republican officials will visit the cities in late March and early April to prepare for a July vote by the full RNC membership. Each city is fraught with political meaning. Florida is a longtime battleground while Utah is solidly Republican.

Democrats have long said Arizona will be their top new battleground, and the Obama campaign even made a last-minute play for the state in 2008 despite it being Sen. John McCain's home turf.

The most recent poll in Arizona showed President Obama with just 43 percent approval rating, below the current TPM Polltracker Average of 47.7 percent. The Florida approval rating is about the same as Arizona.

If Mitt Romney were to be the GOP nominee, Salt Lake City would showcase his family ties and role in the 2002 Winter Olympics.

"Phoenix, Tampa, and Salt Lake City are all amazing American cities and I wish them the best of luck with their bids," RNC Chairman Michael Steele said in a statement.

These RNC members are tasked with the site selection visits and recommendation:

Holly Hughes, Michigan National Committeewoman (Committee Chairman)

Midwestern Region:
Kevin DeWine, Ohio Republican Party Chairman
Mary Buestrin, Wisconsin National Committeewoman
Alternate: Helen Van Etten, Kansas National Committeewoman

Northeastern Region:
John Frey, Connecticut National Committeeman
Virginia "Ginny" Haines, New Jersey National Committeewoman
Alternate: Betsy Werronen, District of Columbia National Committeewoman

Southern Region:
Alec Poitevint, Georgia National Committeeman
Cindy Costa, South Carolina National Committeewoman
Alternate: Ruth Ulrich, Louisiana National Committeewoman

Western Region:
Lilly Nuñez, Colorado National Committeewoman
Randy Ruedrich, Alaska Republican Party Chairman