Welcome to National Journal’s Convention Daybook, which provides a floor schedule and a list of major events at the Republican National Convention each day.
FLOOR SCHEDULE:
Convention organizers rescheduled today’s lineup, thanks to Tropical Storm Isaac. Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus will call the convention to order at 2 p.m., start a national debt clock that tracks how much was added during the convention, and announce a recess at 2:10 p.m. Though there will be little happening on the convention floor, all major speakers have been rescheduled. Here are the highlights:
- Mitt Romney will be nominated on Tuesday night and give his acceptance speech on Thursday night.
- Ann Romney will speak on Tuesday night.
- Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee will speak on Wednesday night.
- Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush will speak on Thursday night, prior to Romney’s speech.
TODAY’S EVENTS:
Many event organizers aren’t deterred by the weather, but events are subject to change depending on conditions. For the most up-to-date information, please visit National Journal’s events page, log in to NJ’s mobile apps, or contact event organizers.
ALL DAY — Political Sand Castles
Brave folks can venture to the beach to check out this sand-sculpture display. Sand-castle versions of the White House and Abraham Lincoln—so detailed you can see the creases of the famous Republican’s pants—are expected to survive Isaac’s wrath, organizers tell us. The Bilmar Beach Resort, 10650 Gulf Blvd., Treasure Island. Contact: 727-360-5531. Free.
ALL DAY — Woman Up! Pavilion
The YG Network is hosting a Woman Up! Pavilion all week at the RNC. The space will play host to panel discussions, mini-salons, and a women’s suffrage museum with “authentic artifacts.” 615 Channelside Drive, Suite 108. Free.
7 A.M.-12 P.M. — Huffington Post Oasis
Find your center at the Huffington Post’s Oasis, a spa-like retreat offered every day at the convention. Warning: this may not be the best place to escape journalists. AJA Channelside, 290 South Meridian Avenue. Contact: rhoades.alderson@huffingtonpost.com.
8 A.M.-6 P.M. — Elephant in the Room
Painting, sculpture, photography, graphic art and film will be among the media featured at “The Elephant in the Room,” a collaboration between CL Space and Tempus Projects. The exhibition will highlight political-themed artwork daily throughout the RNC. CL Space, 1911 N. 13th Street, Suite W200, Ybor City. Free.
8-10 A.M. — Energy and the Election
The GOP and Democrats have very different ideas about energy policy, but will the 2012 election really change its future? Washington Post Live will convene industry, advocacy, government and academic leaders for a discussion at this breakfast forum. University of Tampa, Vaughn Center, Crescent Club, 401 W Kennedy Blvd. Please RSVP. Free.
8-10 A.M. — Rove Breakfast Discussion
Fox News contributor Karl Rove kicks off this daily series of breakfast discussions hosted by POLITICO, each of which will take place at the POLITICO Hub: Rivergate Tower, 400 N. Ashley Drive. Free, RSVP required. Contact: awilliams@politico.com.
8:45 A.M.-3 P.M. — Birdies for the Brave
Fore! This golf event – “Birdies for the Brave” – will benefit multiple military charities, and will require some weather-related bravery. Among the participants: Speaker John Boehner of Ohio and Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell. TPC Tampa Bay, 5300 West Lutz Lake Fern Road. Sold out. Contact: 904-280-4796.
9:30-11 A.M. — Social Media in Politics
Seems to be all about Twitter these days, doesn't it? Start your convention week off right with a discussion of social media in politics hosted by National Journal and The Atlantic, along with CBS News. It’s the first in a series of daily morning briefings, all of which will be held at the same time, same place: Carne Chophouse, 1536 East 7th Avenue. Please RSVP. Contact: abolding@theatlantic.com.
10-11:30 A.M. — Energy Security Discussion
Policy experts, opinion leaders and members of Congress will be featured in this RNC roundtable discussion series hosted by AJC-Global Jewish Advocacy. Kicking of the series is today’s event on achieving energy security. St. Petersburg Museum of Fine Arts, 255 Beach Drive Northeast, St. Petersburg. Please RSVP. Contact: blumem@acj.org.
10 A.M.-12 P.M. — ‘How to Survive a Plague’
The first event of the IMPACT Film Festival, which will run throughout the RNC and DNC, is a screening of “How to Survive a Plague,” a documentary that tells the story of two coalitions that “turned AIDS from a death sentence into a manageable condition.” Channelside Cinemas, 615 Channelside Drive. Click here to reserve tickets. Free.
10 A.M.-12 P.M. — ‘Newt U’
It’s back-to-school season. “Newt U,” a series of public policy workshops for delegates hosted by former House Speaker Gingrich, kicks off today with a “We Can Do Better” class on jobs, growth and protecting Medicare. Hyatt Regency Downtown, 211 North Tampa Street. Open to credentialed convention media and activists and party officials attending the convention.
10 A.M. — Occupy March
You’ll probably hear chants of “Money for human needs, not for corporate greed!” when this Occupy-organized march on the RNC goes by. Perry Harvey Sr. Park, 1200 N. Orange Ave. Free. Contact: 813-549-9847.
11:15-11:23 A.M. — Florida Tourism
This eight-minute business panel, presented by the Tampa Bay Partnership as part of a live show, will highlight the importance of tourism to Florida and the region. Stageworks Theater, 1120 E. Kennedy Blvd. Tickets are required for the live audience; the event will also be webcast. Contact: 813-878-2208.
12:17-12:45 P.M. — Jeb Bush to Speak
Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush will speak at this entrepreneurial roundtable, part of a live show presented by the Tampa Bay Partnership, to discuss the growth of technology-based companies and the role of venture capital. Stageworks Theater, 1120 E. Kennedy Blvd. Tickets are required for the live audience; the event will also be webcast. Contact: 813-878-2208.
1-2 P.M. — Health Care Forum
The Supreme Court may have upheld the 2010 health care reform law, but that doesn't mean the debate over how to reduce costs and improve quality in health care is over. Join the American Action Forum for a policy panel, moderated by National Review Online Editor at Large Kathryn Lopez. InterContinental Hotel, 4860 W Kennedy Blvd. RSVP online.
2-3 P.M. — Job Creation Panel
Stick around after the American Action Forum’s first panel to catch National Journal’s own Jim Tankersley, who’ll be moderating a panel on job creation. Rep. Kevin McCarthy of California will also be delivering remarks. InterContinental Hotel, 4860 W Kennedy Blvd. RSVP online.
2-3:30 P.M. — Building Healthier Cities
How can we build healthier cities? National Journal and The Atlantic bring together community health experts and industry leaders to discuss partnerships and innovations that improve the health of city dwellers. Carne Chophouse, 1536 E. 7th Avenue. Please RSVP. Contact: abolding@theatlantic.com.
2-4 P.M. — ‘The House I Live In’
Oh, the weather outside is frightful. Stay indoors, stay dry and stay entertained with another IMPACT Film Festival event. This time, it’s “The House I Live In,” a documentary filmed in more than twenty states about America’s War on Drugs. Click here to reserve tickets. Free.
3-4 P.M. — Crisis and Opportunity in Journalism
The rise in opinion writing, the disruptive power of the Internet ... The Franklin Center for Government & Public Integrity hosts this panel on the crisis and opportunity in journalism. Sheraton Tampa East Hotel, 10221 Princess Palm Avenue. RSVP online.
3-5 P.M. — ‘Republicans Out to Win’
Join the Log Cabin Republicans and the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund for a “Republicans Out to Win” celebration. Oystercatchers at the Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay, 2900 Bayport Drive. RSVP is required. Free.
3-5 P.M. — APIA Vote Event
Mingle and celebrate Asian-American & Pacific Islander leadership with a reception preceding a briefing on the group’s growing electoral clout. Sheraton Tampa East Hotel, 10221 Princess Palm Avenue. RSVP online. Contact: 646-502-5337.
4-5:15 P.M. — Energy and Metropolitan Areas
More people are moving to cities than ever before, putting pressure on metropolitan areas at a time of tight municipal budgets. National Journal and The Atlantic bring energy leaders together to discuss how to equip American cities for the 21st century. Carne Chophouse, 1536 E. 7th Avenue. Please RSVP. Contact: abolding@theatlantic.com.
4:30-6:30 P.M. — ‘Butter’ Screening
Hardy moviegoing folks can do a triple-feature today with this IMPACT Film Festival screening of “Butter,” which stars Jennifer Garner and tells the story of an Iowa town’s annual butter-carving contest. Don’t forget to buy popcorn (extra butter, of course). Click here to reserve tickets. Free.
5-6 P.M. — Politico Cocktail Hour
Politico is kicking off its nightly lounge with a “special cocktail hour conversation with a senior newsmaker.” Learn about the 2012 campaign trail, the week ahead and the road to the White House. Politico Hub: Rivergate Tower, 400 N. Ashley Drive. Free, RSVP required. Contact: awilliams@politico.com.
5-6:30 P.M. — Harvard Institute of Politics Cocktail Reception
Join Cantabs young and old for this cocktail reception celebrating the convention and hosted by the Harvard University Institute of Politics. IOP director and former Kentucky Secretary of State Trey Grayson will be in attendance. Ruth’s Chris Steak House, 1700 N. Westshore Blvd. RSVP online.
5-6:30 P.M. — APIA Electoral Briefing
Will Asian-Americans & Pacific Islanders vote Republican this year? Find out at this electoral briefing. Sheraton Tampa East Hotel, 10221 Princess Palm Avenue. RSVP online. Contact: 646-502-5337.
7-9 P.M. — Cillizza at ‘Politics and Pints’
Wait out the storm with a pint and some trivia questions in this special convention edition of “Politics & Pints” hosted by The Washington Post’s Chris Cillizza. Stumps Supper Club, 615 Channelside Drive. Doors at 6. Registration not required but space is limited. Open to teams up to six players.
7:30-10:30 P.M. — Watch the ‘Action’
National Journal and The Atlantic will be hosting a party every night of the convention, featuring festive libations and a broadcast of the action on the convention floor. There may be no floor action to watch today, but there’ll still be a party. Carne Chophouse, 1536 E. 7th Avenue. Invitation only. Contact: abolding@theatlantic.com.
8 P.M.-Midnight — Rubio at American Conservative Union
From Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida to New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez, expect an all-star lineup of speakers at the American Conservative Union and Future Majority Project’s exclusive party, "Nuestra Noche Midnight in Ybor." Entertainment by Willy Chirino and D.J. Nino. The Cuban Club, 2010 Republica de Cuba (14th Street), Ybor City. Invitation only.
8:30 P.M.-1 A.M. — Distilled Spirits Council
Exclusive guest list, specialty cocktails, fish—what’s not to like? The Distilled Spirits Council hosts a late-night party at the Florida Aquarium featuring a 500,000-gallon Coral Reef tank, live music, and a cigar lounge overlooking the channel. 701 Channelside Drive. Invitation only.
9 P.M.-1 A.M. — ‘The Power of Political Chicks’
The “White House” Party celebrates the “power of political chicks” at the convention. Hosted by RightNOW! and the Value In Electing Women Political Action Committee. Price varies. Historic Ybor City, 1507 E. 7th Avenue. Contact: 202-547-7854.
RESCHEDULED:
Republican National Lawyers Association Reception
The Republican National Lawyers Association’s reception, originally planned for Monday afternoon and billed as the only reception exclusively for lawyers at the convention, has been moved to Thursday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. as a result of the weather.
Bachmann Screens ‘Occupy Unmasked’
Rep. Michele Bachmann of Minnesota will introduce this screening of “Occupy Unmasked,” a movie that “reveals the sinister, organized, and highly orchestrated nature” of the Occupy movement’s leaders, according to host Citizens United Productions. The event has been moved to Thursday at 2 p.m. Liberty Plaza, 180 S. Morgan Street. Registration is required. Free.
NOTABLE CANCELLATIONS:
Heritage Foundation Hispanic Policy Priorities
The Heritage Foundation cancelled its event on Hispanic Policy Priorities in 2012, citing weather uncertainty and safety concerns. Puerto Rico Gov. Luis Fortuño was to deliver opening remarks.
Council for Economic Education Economic Literacy
The Council for Economic Education cancelled an event on financial literacy. Asking guests and staff to drive out to the event during a major storm was just too much of a risk, event organizers said. The CEE will still be hosting a companion event in Charlotte at the Democratic convention next week.
National Association of Black Journalists Mixer
The National Association of Black Journalists and Tampa Bay Association of Black Journalists cancelled their media mixer.
—Convention Daybook is compiled by National Journal’s Catherine Hollander and Sophie Quinton. To provide information on events, please contact chollander@nationaljournal.com or squinton@nationaljournal.com.