Isaac looms on horizon as GOP convention nears

(CBS/AP) As Tropical Storm Isaac churns toward reaching hurricane strength in the Atlantic, Tampa's mayor warned that that the city playing host to the Republican National Convention was "prepared to call it off" if the storm poses a safety threat.

"I mean, safety and human life trump politics. I think the RNC recognizes that. The organizers, certainly Gov. Romney, recognize that," Mayor Bob Buckhorn told CNN Wednesday.

It's too early to say with any certainty whether the storm will actually gain hurricane strength - though National Hurricane Center computer models predicted it will over the next few days - or hit Tampa, on Florida's west coast.

But some models had the storm striking Florida, including the Tampa Bay area, after moving across Cuba or the Bahamas as early as Sunday morning.

It's the type of weather that convention organizers knew was a possibility during the peak of hurricane season -- and they have backup plans in place in a worst-case scenario.

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It's been 90 years since a major hurricane made a direct hit on Tampa. The last to strike Florida's west coast was Hurricane Charley, a Category 4 packing 150 mph winds. The Aug. 13, 2004, storm was small yet powerful -- and was initially forecast to strike the Tampa Bay area before it turned and slammed Port Charlotte, about 100 miles south

Jeff Masters, director of meteorology at Weatherunderground.com, said long-range storm track predictions five days in advance are notoriously inaccurate, often off an average of 260 miles. But Masters said the climate situation has improved chances that Florida could be in the system's sights during the GOP event that runs Monday through Thursday.

"It would take a perfect storm of a scenario where a bunch of factors all conspire together," Masters said. "But we definitely have to watch this one."

The storm was 140 miles east of the French Caribbean island of Guadeloupe late Wednesday morning, with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph. Isaac was moving west at 21 mph and was expected to become a hurricane by Thursday, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center.

GOP and state officials have contingency plans in place if the storm makes its way to Tampa, including an evacuation in a worst-case scenario. About 70,000 delegates, party officials, journalists, protesters and others are expected for the convention that culminates in the nomination of former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney for president and Wisconsin U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan for vice president.

"We're monitoring it," said James Davis, communications director for the Republican National Convention. "We're in close touch with all the federal, state and local agencies. We're focused on preparing still and having a great event starting on Monday."

A four-day mock hurricane drill was held in May featuring a pretend major storm striking the Tampa area during the second day of the convention. Under that scenario, planners canceled. A major hurricane is a Category 3 or above with winds at least 111 mph and devastating damage can occur.

"At this point, we're prepared for everything," said Tampa Police Chief Jane Castor on Tuesday. "We've certainly factored that into our plans."

Forecasters say that fortunately for Tampa, most Gulf storms emerge earlier or later in the hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to Nov. 30.

Florida, historically the nation's top target for tropical systems, has not been hit by a major hurricane since Wilma in 2005. The new storm's potential threat comes just as South Floridians are marking the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Andrew, a Category 5 monster that resulted in 26 direct deaths and caused some $26.5 billion in damage when it came ashore south of Miami on Aug. 24, 1992.

[tvwatcher5345]

dems don't attack the republicans but have faith and as charlton heston (a famous republican) once said in the ten commandments "behold his mighty hand!" and watch as the Good Lord in the form of isaac (translated means he laughs/will laugh) puts a damper on the republican convention in tampa

[superdem1]

If a hurricane does destroy Tampa, of course these good Republicans won't ask for federal assistance, that just breeds dependency, fosters the big government "nanny state" and increases the debt. People will just have to suck it up and rebuild their lives on their own. Right ? RIGHT ????

[ProudOkie]

Right???

[netjunkie1]

There's a drought on. Bring on the hurricanes.

[justme-123]

This is just awful. If this storm forces the GOP revival meeting to be cancelled, how will we know who their nominees will be? I mean, the suspense is already hard to bear.

[RollotheNorman]

LOL, there might be a danger in to trying to corner the God, Guns, Mom, and Apple Pie segment of the electorate. God might be saying: "I'm not a RepubliCON, I don't lie, thank you very much. The interesting storm is going to be on the inside of the Convention though. By the time the Ron Paul guys are through, it'll make the '68 Democratic Convention look like a love fest.

[you_MAY_be_right]

Heck yes, call it of, save all that $$ and spend it on something worthwhile like policital advertising between now and November.

Or perhaps they can also use it for something that helps humanity like paying down the debt,or starting another war somewhere where they can purge the evil out of a nation.

[TimeToEvolve]

So here we have the cadre of clowns the Republicons. The only major political party in the world that denies science and the fact of man made global warming. So now Gawwwwd is angry and seeking revenge on these fake Christians.

[pohd1]

Will the media write stories if it does hit Tampa that Obama steered it there like Bush did with Katrina.lol

[TimeToEvolve]

Don't be silly. It was the idea that Bush had (which is shared by the other wacko Republicons) that government is no good. So let's make it inadequate so we can claim it does not work.

That is why we got hit on 911. That is why Katrina turned into an even bigger disaster. That is why we got the Bush-Bankster Recession. Etc., etc.

[Oldanduseless]

Obviously if there is a hurricane, God will be sending a signal that he is mightily displeased with the Republicans.

If there's not one, it will prove that Satan is the prince of this world and was able to pull one off for his Republican minions.

[beachgirl2365]

may it be from you mouth to God and the Universe's ears!,.... (I vote for #1)........Amen

[brenro21]

The GOP desperately needs a reset. Wouldn't it be poetic for Isaac to come through and wash them all away?