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Republican Convention Will Open Monday Despite Approaching Storm

Matt Pressberg |
August 23, 2012 | 5:36 p.m. PDT

Executive Producer

The Tampa Bay Times Forum is the home of the Republican National Convention. (Fifth World Art/Flickr)
The Tampa Bay Times Forum is the home of the Republican National Convention. (Fifth World Art/Flickr)
Tropical Storm Isaac is expected to grow in intensity as it travels across the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico this weekend, but Republicans say they will open their convention in Tampa, Fla., situated just off of the Gulf, on Monday as planned.

As CBS Miami reports, a major concern among convention organizers and attendees is the distinct possibility of having many local law enforcement resources re-allocated to storm-related needs. More than 3.500 officers from elsewhere in the state were supposed to go to Tampa to help with security, but this arrangement seems highly fluid with the approaching storm.

The storm was initially supposed to come very close to Tampa, but its projected path has shifted further to the west in recent days. While Florida Gov. Rick Scott said he hoped Isaac would weaken as it crossed over the Caribbean, he expressed confidence in his state's ability to manage the storm while simultaneously providing the necessary security and organization for the convention, saying Florida "is more prepared than any state in the country for hurricanes."

The Republican National Convention is expected to bring thousands of politicians, political watchers and media members to the Tampa area, which is one of the "swingiest" regions of a critical swing state.

 

Reach Executive Producer Matt Pressberg here.



 

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