Republicans, undaunted by what could be a huge force of Mother Nature, arrived in throngs in Florida on Sunday, as they prepare for their National Convention. The convention has been reduced from a four day event to just three as Tropical Storm Isaac threatens to soak all the delegates.
Tampa was full of sun on Sunday, although winds were starting to pick up as the storm made its way from the Caribbean to Florida. Romney took the day off on Sunday to spend time at his New Hampshire lakeside estate. He was receiving hourly updates about the approaching storm and making the final preparations for his speech on Thursday when he accepts his party’s nomination for the presidency.
Monday’s proceedings had been cancelled at the convention due to the storm. Flooding and storm surges could arrive due to the storm and organizers at the convention said they had prepared contingency plans to move those delegates that have registered to stay in beachfront hotels to other places if needed. They said the shift in the convention’s schedule was so that emergency personnel would not be overburdened during the worst of the storm.
The announcement to cancel Monday’s session was made on Saturday by the GOP, saying that the convention would still be gaveled on Monday into session, but events would not be held until Tuesday. The storm’s route was being constantly monitored by the convention organizers so they could rely on the decision of emergency officials as to whether a relocation of delegates needs to take place.
