Bracing for storm, RNC officials cancel first night of convention

The Tampa Bay Times Forum shown Thursday, Aug. 16, 2012, in Tampa, Fla., is the site of the 2012 Republican National Convention. The 2012 Republican National Convention will be held in Tampa, Florida the week of August 27.

/ AP Photo/Chris O'Meara

(CBS News) The Republican National Convention will begin on Tuesday, not Monday, officials announced today.

With Tropical Storm Isaac looming off of Florida's coast, RNC Chairman Reince Preibus issued a statement saying that the convention would convene Monday, but immediately recess until Tuesday. No further updates on how the rescheduling will work have been yet issued. "Our first priority is ensuring the safety of delegates, alternates, guests, members of the media attending the Republican National Convention, and citizens of the Tampa Bay area," wrote Preibus.

The storm has been of quiet but careful concern to Republican officials for days. Today, a conference call was held with members of Mitt Romney's campaign, RNC, the Florida governor's office (also, Karl Rove, who runs a pro-Romney superPAC) to try to come to a final conclusion. A major point of concern that was discussed was transportation issues that could ensue if the programming was left at bay. In addition to traffic snarls already created by large gatherings such as the convention, many delegates and staffers rely on buses to get around town, which run the risk of being cancelled should weather so call for them to be. On a call with reporters, Preibus said the risk of "sustained wind and rain" was a point of concern when moving participants around. "We're not going to put delegates on a bunch of buses ... when we cant predict how severe the wind s going to be and what the damage could possibly be."

Before the official announcement was made, Gov. Rick Scott, R-Fla., had already pulled the plug on his attendance at all RNC related events for the next two days, which included a speech from the podium. "He's got to be the governor of Florida. Period," an adviser told CBS News.

Scott will still be physically located however. Much of his staff is already in town, and he plans to join them by Sunday morning from a command center so they he can monitor the storm's activities both down in the Florida Keys and up in the Panhandle.

Romney adviser Russ Schriefer, who has been in Tampa for weeks focusing on how the candidate would present himself at the convention, told reporters that moving the convention from four days to three is unexpected but will not pose a problem for the campaign. "We will absolutely be able to get our message out," said Schriefer.

Officials also say that the roll call to nominate Romney, which was supposed to start around 6:30 p.m. ET on Monday, will likely now start at the same time on Tuesday, and that no state delegations have withdrawn their plans to attend the convention. "We look forward to a great start on Tuesday and can think of no operational reason why that wont happen," said convention CEO Bill Harris.

[dawg_earl]

Will Washout Flip-Flop make a splish-splash in the wake of the deluge, or continue to dive in the polls?

[BOB-C]

After Katrina, Pat Robertson implied on the September 12th broadcast of The 700 Club that the Hurricane was God's punishment in response to America's abortion policy. *

Evangelist John Hagee linked the hurricane to a gay pride event known as "Southern Decadence Day", which was to have been held in the town's French Quarter a few days after the hurricane hit. He said in 2006, "I believe that New Orleans had a level of sin that was offensive to God, and they are — were — recipients of the judgment of God for that. The newspaper carried the story in our local area, that was not carried nationally, that there was to be a homosexual parade there on the Monday that the Katrina came." *

I believe Isaac is a SIGN from God to the Christian Right and their Tea Party acolytes to stop their shenanigans and false atributions to her.

Isaac got a full tour of heaven and hell and then died. This reads very much like this GOP campaign. He was born to an ancient Abraham, who once tried to sacrifice him (the regressive extreme right of the GOP), and a barren Sarah who was beyond childbearing years (Conservatives).

* Sorce: Wikipedia

[KPeters_from_UK]

I believe that most of the Democrats on this thread are simply pointing out how stupid it is to believe that any natural disaster or a terrorist bomb is an act of God. Lord. Have you people no understanding of irony or sarcasm? The language being used is the same tone as the Religious Right... but for most part it is tongue in cheek. Most of us really don't believe that God brings wrath upon the American people through natural disasters or acts of terrorism. Most liberals don't really believe in a vengeful Lord. Then again, there are some on the Left who are hoping for some nasty weather to ruin Romney's day.

Do remember how some of the Religious Right from 9-11 to Katrina and Haiti...to Dobson who prayed for rain to flood Obama.


Why is it okay for the Born Agains to cry to their congregation that it was God's judgement on the Haitians? That 9-11 was God's judgement against all homosexuals? Each time there is a flood (Katrina) or a drought the Far Religious Right's wrath come screaming down the air waves? And now you are upset 'cause we are pointing out the lunacy?

[KPeters_from_UK]

by jumkey August 26, 2012 10:28 AM EDT
Oh, the racist Republican traitors have to put off their hate-America fest? It's a sad day for fascism.

The hurricane is God's wrath against the stupid and the evil. All Republicans should immediately go to Tampa and take their punishment for their racism, sexism, economic terrorism and rape cheerleading.


by AOCGUY August 26, 2012 11:17 AM EDT
Thanks jumkey, just as KPeters keeps telling me that all you want to display a little sarcasm you post this cr@p right on his heels.

What you say KPeters?

Sorry, I was out.

And then there are the others............sigh.
Remember 7luckyseven who wrote that all rapists are liberals?

[RollotheNorman]

"And then there are the others............sigh.
Remember 7luckyseven who wrote that all rapists are liberals?"

What about Willard? He basically wants to plonk the middle and working classes where the sun don't shine.

[RollotheNorman]

Cut a full day off? Best RepubliCON Convention ever. LOL, let's all hide and watch, boys and girls, if the contrived tribute to Ron Paul brings peace in Tampa.

[vpcharan]

Is it not ironic that the Ryan budget that was passed by the GOP in the house calls for 60% budget cut for weather and hurricane forecasting? Imagine if the senate had passed the Ryan GOP budget and President Obama had signed it. Imagine that in the absence of Hurricane forecasting, the RNC convention was in progress and all of a sudden the Hurricane had landed on the convention hall. GOP would have accepted the consequences as Act of God. Let alone heaven, even the Hell has no place for the GOP brand.

[1988JAck]

Karma is as Karma does. Pray to God no one gets hurt ecept the already lousy image of the GOP (Guards of Oil Poobahs).

[Repubs_R_Fiscal_Liberals]

Honestly, it really is funny that an "Act of God" has delayed the convention.

Perhaps "He" disagrees with their social conservatism which misrepresents his word...?

[EmpireGeorge______--]

well the same act of god, just diverted the hurricane away from Tampa towards Louisianna.

[Repubs_R_Fiscal_Liberals]

Empire - please repost where I mentioned anything partisan about Vietnam? LBJ, a democratic president, started the ball rolling.

You're such a partisan hack that you can't understand that my condemnation of your party doesn't mean that I don't also condemn the dems.

There are more than two parties in the US, Empire, and neither of your two major - and liberal - parties represent me.

[EmpireGeorge______--]

You said Republican wars of agression, then you can't name any, but instead tried to use a democrat war, as an example.....consider your original statement, destroyed by me....the end

[Repubs_R_Fiscal_Liberals]

Easy - Iraq.

Nice "destruction" there, Empress!

[Repubs_R_Fiscal_Liberals]

by EmpireGeorge______-- August 26, 2012 11:48 AM EDT
Isn't St. Timothy's a Catholic Church ? how utterly disrespectful you are.
----------

Of course I disrespect Catholics, Empire, for their protection of criminals who prey on kids.

What's your point?

[EmpireGeorge______--]

No point.

[Repubs_R_Fiscal_Liberals]

Then why did you mention it?