TAMPA -- The events planned for the Republican National Convention on Monday will be postponed due to severe weather predictions near the conference's host city, Republican officials said Saturday.
"The Republican National Convention will convene on Monday August 27th and immediately recess until Tuesday afternoon, August 28th," said Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus in a statement Saturday. "After consulting with Governor Scott, NOAA and local emergency management officials, we are optimistic that we will begin an exciting, robust convention that will nominate the Romney-Ryan ticket."
Tropical Storm Isaac is expected to reach the Florida mainland early next week.
The RNC plans to submit a revised schedule Sunday, Priebus wrote in a memo to convention attendees.
The full memo:
MEMO
DATE: August 25, 2012
FROM: RNC Chairman Reince Priebus @Reince
TO: Interested Parties
RE: RNC Convention
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, exact time to follow.
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. We also are remaining in constant contact with state and federal officials and may make additional schedule alterations as needed.
The Convention staff is working around-the-clock to ensure the delegations housed in storm-impacted areas have alternative housing if needed. The Committee on Arrangements will provide additional information to delegates and alternate delegates who are affected by Isaac by Sunday morning. We will also provide guidance to those delegates and alternate delegates who may encounter travel difficulties due to the storm.
We will begin issuing revised convention programming as early as Sunday.
We have an experienced team that will ensure changes are operationally smooth and create as little disruption as possible. The most important concern is safety, but our Convention program will proceed.