Sunday Times 2
Republicans stockpile umbrellas as stormy convention looms
View(s):WASHINGTON (Reuters) – This week was a tempestuous one for the Republican Party, but things could get even stormier if a hurricane bears down on the national convention in Tampa, Florida.
With Tropical Storm Isaac on a path that could bring it to the city at hurricane strength just as the four-day event begins on Monday, Republican officials were setting up tents, stockpiling umbrellas and nervously eyeing possible changes to the schedule of speakers.
Forecasters said on Friday that Isaac could bring torrential rains, high winds and tornadoes to Tampa even if it remains a tropical storm and stays out in the Gulf of Mexico, far from shore.The party insists the meeting will go ahead, even if it has to alter the schedule.
“We’re going to have a convention,” said Reince Priebus, the chairman of the Republican National Committee. The highlight of the event — Mitt Romney’s speech accepting the nomination for president — is still set for Thursday.
The schedule was unchanged by Friday afternoon, but convention officials said they would make changes if necessary. Speakers could be moved to different days or dropped altogether if the weather makes traveling dangerous or difficult.
“We have contingency plans in place to ensure the health and safety of convention delegates, guests and visitors, and the Tampa Bay community,” spokesman James Davis said.
The RNC will have ponchos and raincoats for delegates, and organizers said they had a big supply of umbrellas in — of course — Republican red.The coming storm did eliminate one Republican headache. Democratic Vice President Joe Biden postponed a campaign trip to Tampa that had been scheduled for the first day of the convention.
President Barack Obama’s re-election campaign said it wanted to ensure that all emergency resources were focused on Isaac.
Local officials pointed to one bright side of dealing with Isaac. The storm will most likely come and go on Monday, with clear skies and bright sunshine forecast for the next three convention days.
 |
Follow @timesonlinelk
Related Posts:
Jobs report keeps Obama in game, spikes Romney’s gunsWASHINGTON (AFP) Surprise job data Friday kept President Barack Obama in the game and deprived Republican Mitt Romney of a ...
When Tropical Hut went red and whiteIt was a relaxed informal atmosphere for the celebrations of Swiss National Day organised by the Swiss Circle of Sri ...
Lanka’s anti-corruption report not ready for UN reviewSri Lanka’s has deferred its submission to the review group set up under the UN Convention against Corruption although it ...
Outrage over Obama punching bagA punching bag depicting Barack Obama as a boxer with a black eye has been removed from the Republican Party ...
US Presidential race: Will Condi be Romney’s running mate?The buzz around Condoleezza Rice becoming Mitt Romney's vice-presidential running mate has increased significantly after internet pioneer Matt Drudge reported ...