WASHINGTON
Take a breather, Iowa and New Hampshire.

Florida is about to get into the Republican presidential race --
big-time.

It starts with a debate Monday in Tampa and ends with an early
primary in 2012 that conceivably could wrap up the GOP nomination.

That's especially true if the top contenders split the first four
contests, which include Nevada and South Carolina.

A second Florida debate, Sept. 22 in Orlando, will kick off a
three-day GOP gathering that will help party activists pick their
favorites.