Comedian Ron White's show at T/U Center moved debate out of downtown
Mitt Romney stayed at Omni Hotel overnight as did White
Cigar smoking, Scotch drinking funnyman Ron White on of top comedians on tour in the United States
Romney bus outside Omni drew several onlookers
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The Republican presidential debate at UNF Thursday night might have been in downtown Jacksonville, but a popular comedian already had the venue.
In a weird coincidence, GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney stayed at the same downtown hotel as funny man Ron White.
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CNN took a look at the Times-Union Center as a spot to hold the debate but the 3,000-seat Moran Theatre was already booked for comedian Ron White, one of the top three grossing comedians on tour in the United States.
CNN looked at the arena but chose to hold it at UNF. If held at the TU center, it would have focused a lot of attention on downtown Jacksonville.
PICTURES: Behind the Scenes at UNF on Debate Night
Just across the street from the TU center is the Omni Hotel, where both White and Romney ended up staying.
At the Omni restaurant and bar there was more buzz about White's "Blue Collar Comedy Tour" than Romney's political run.
White was expected to possibly sell out the TU center tonight. "It's a very popular show," said Sarah Bartlo, director of the TU center.
"We still have tickets available, not very many, people are excited to have him come here, tickets went fast and we are hoping to actually sell out."
Romney caused a bit of a stir when he returned to the Omni around noon today from a campaign event in St. Augsutine. His team rushed him inside the hotel.
"I think I blocked his motorcade back there," said businessman Greg Cohen, who lives in Ormond Beach. "I saw the guy walking through with a throng around him, I guess there is big buzz in Jacksonville for the big debate."
Erica Adams, in town from Charlotte for a conference at the Omni Hotel, said she went outside to take pictures of the Romney bus outside the hotel. "I was taking pictures for a funny joke. I was going to send them to a friend of mine who is a staunch Republican and tell him I found true religion and that I have seen the Romney light."
About 3,000 were expected to attend the White comedy show, while 800 will fill the seats at the debate.
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