_TAMPA, Fla. —_ The forecasted tropical storm "that shut down the first day of events largely has missed Tampa":http://statenews.com/index.php/blog/politicker and is drifting out into the Gulf of Mexico.
As of noon Monday, downtown Tampa only has experienced drizzle and light winds from Tropical Storm Isaac.
There still could be another shakeup in the schedule if the storm causes damage to New Orleans. In a conference call with reporters Monday morning, convention press secretary Kyle Downey suggested that events still could be canceled, saying the party will wait and see what will unfold.
Depending how how badly New Orleans is hit, GOP leaders could close the convention to show sensitivity for victims.
"Our first concern is for the people in the path of the storm,” Downey said.
This afternoon, leaders will unveil two debt clocks in the convention center — one will start counting the at nation’s current debt, and the other will start from zero to see how much debt is accumulated during the course of the convention. Leaders have declined to say how much debt they expect to show by the convention’s close, hoping to drive home the convention’s “we can do better” theme.
The official party’s event cancellation has not stopped the Michigan Delegation and others from carrying out smaller events to keep delegates and party leaders occupied.
Craig Romney, one of Mitt Romney’s sons, former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich and Gov. Rick Snyder addressed the delegation Monday morning.
According to the Detroit News, Craig Romney shared stories of his father preparing for the 2002 Salt Lake City winter Olympics, including him learning to skeleton — the headfirst luge — to land a segment on NBC's Today.
"People saw this guy will literally do anything, including risking his own personal health, to make the Games a success," Craig Romney said.
According to the Detroit News, cheers erupted from the crowd when Snyder mention recent poll numbers showing Romney at Obama from a dead heat in Michigan. The governor said political pundits are wrong not to include Michigan in a short list of top battleground states.
_Editor’s Note: The State News has four writers and photographers on the ground at the Republican National Convention in Tampa. Follow them for continuous coverage of the week’s activities._
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