Sarah Palin setting up shop at Channelside for GOP convention

TAMPA You betcha Sarah Palin will be at the August Republican National Convention.

The political action committee for the former Alaska governor and 2008 vice presidential candidate plunked down $4,500 to reserve space at Channelside Bay Plaza for the big political event.

The expense was listed in required filings submitted Wednesday to the Federal Election Commission.

It's unclear what, if any, official role Palin will have at the Aug. 27-30 convention at the Tampa Bay Times Forum.

But the space at Channelside a short walk from the Forum will allow her an independent platform away from the formal event and access to some of the 15,000 journalists expected to cover the convention.