'NOBAMA' Wristbands at RNC Have Local Ties

Are you against President Barack Obama but don't know how to show it?

Bob Caruso has your answer.

The Odessa mortgage broker is hawking his "NOBAMA 2012" wristbands this week in Tampa's Channelside, just a few blocks from the site of the Republican National Convention.

Caruso started his website, nobamawristbands.com, a few years ago, but he's hoping the rubber, red, white and blue wristbands he sells for $4 apiece online really take off during the RNC.

To do that, he said, he just needs to get them in the hands of the right person. He's tried conservative pundit Sean Hannity, and he ran into former Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele on the street corner Tuesday, where he was set up with his wristbands outside the Channelside Hooters.

"They all say, 'That's cool,' but they don't want to get involved," Caruso said.

The 60-year-old said he's always been politically active, going back to his days as a youth in Newark, N.J., when he went door-to-door campaigning for a mayoral candidate. Now, he's using the "NOBAMA" movement to spread his message about fiscal responsibility in politics and the rising national debt.

"Just look at the numbers," Caruso said. "Look at the facts. You can't spin that."

For more Westchase Patch RNC coverage see "Republican National Convention in Tampa."