Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino is down in Tampa today for the Republican National Convention.

Astorino was at the delegation breakfast this morning, chatting up Erie County Republican Chairman Nick Langworthy and Albany County Chairman Don Cleary.

Later in the day, he was scheduled to co-host a luncheon at the delegation hotel with Westchester Republican Chairman Doug Colety.

Sounds like some serious schmoozing from a potential statewide candidate, right?

Astorino says that’s wrong and cautioned not to read too much in too much into this trip to the convention.

Clearly in here we’re all together in New York. We’ve all gotten to know each other in New York. It’s nice to come here, be with your colleagues from around New York state. You talk about the miserable problems we’re all going through with budgets we’re facing and ways to get out of it. It creates friendships. It’s a relaxed environment down here and then tonight we have business at the convention, but it’s just good to be with people from around the state who you don’t get to see everyday.

Astorino must still run for re-election to another term as county executive in 2013 before he decides whether to seek higher office in an even-numbered year.

The phrase “rising star” is used to describe Astorino frequently. Republicans are especially thrilled that he was able to win in the northern suburbs, which is a Democratic stronghold.

Astorino would be the clear underdog in a campaign against, say, Gov. Andrew Cuomo in 2014, but he has insisted he’s focused on being the county executive.

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