Republican National Covention Delayed By Weather

Due to the severe weather reports for the Tampa Bay area, the Republican National Convention will convene on Monday August 27th and immediately recess until Tuesday afternoon, August 28th,with an exact time to follow. 

The Tampa Bay area remains under a tropical storm warning which means that tropical storm conditions, with winds of 40-60 mph and lashing rains could affect the area for the next 36 hours.

According to RNC Chairman Reince Priebus,

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. RNC Convention officials and the Romney campaign are working closely with state, local and federal officials, as well as the Secret Service, to monitor Tropical Storm Isaac and preserve Florida’s emergency management resources. Officials have predicted participants may encounter severe transportation difficulties due to sustained wind and rain. 

The Republican National Convention will take place and officially nominate Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan, and the Party has other necessary business it must address. However this has already affected the Wyoming delegation with a scheduled cruise of the Tampa Bay area being left at the dock as the bay has already been closed to boat traffic. And although a planned concert by rock legends Lynyrd Skynyrd has been cancelled, because of the close proximity to the bay for Sunday night, the welcome event planned for Tropicana Field on Sunday night will go on as planned.

The Convention staff is working around-the-clock to ensure the delegations housed in storm-impacted areas have alternative housing if needed. These plans will have little impact on the Wyoming delegation as their accomodations are well inland near the airport.

Additional coverage from Tampa will be forthcoming during the course of the week.