Tampa stripper and Sarah Palin lookalike a tease for Republicans

This is Sarah Palin like you've never seen her before. Or not. Lisa Ann is a porn star, and has made it big impersonating America's would-be vice-president since 2008.

From adult films to faux press conferences at strip clubs, her career has soared thanks to the tea-party favourite, a notable absentee from the 2012 convention line-up set to crown Mitt Romney the Republican presidential nominee in Tampa, Florida.

"I don't think she's as thrilled with me as I am with her," Lisa Ann said at The Dollhouse club, which is hoping for a big week as tens of thousands of Republicans descend on Tampa for the convention, which runs through until Thursday.

Lisa Ann, a 40-year-old certified dental assistant who alternates between residences in Los Angeles and New York, was included in CNBC's "Dirty Dozen", a 2011 list of the 12 most popular pornography stars.

"We live in a pretty recession-proof business," the chatty porn star said. "I mean, it did definitely change things for a lot of people. But for myself, having the gift to play Sarah Palin during the crunch has been just incredible."

Thanks to the boost in business from the Republican convention, Tampa clubs say dancers can expect to double their take.