GOP hopeful of big gains this fall

With Demo c r a t s o n d e f e n s e, Republicans expressed cautious confidence of big gains in the fall elections — particularly in governor's races — though they acknowledged that the GOP must do more to snatch control of Congress from President Barack Obama's party.

Three months before the midterm elections, it was all business and little celebration as the 168-member Republican National Committee met this week to finalize Tampa, Fla., as the 2012 GOP convention city and set the presidential primary calendar.

Unlike in years past, no White House hopefuls showed up. And the tone was sober a...