Because of the potential impact of Tropical Storm Isaac on the upcoming four-day Republican National Convention,Gov. Rick Scott and soon-to-be Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney have linked up in earnest.
Scott has also been on the phone with state and federal storm officials, along with organizers for the Republican National Convention.
But as of Thursday afternoon, there were no plans to make any changes to the mega-national event.
Its way too early to have any conversation about whether to continue, Scott told the media while atFloridas Emergency Operations Center in Tallahassee just after 6 p.m. on Thursday.
Right now if you look at the projected path, well have some rain and some wind. But the time to have the discussion will be after it leaves Cuba.
According to the National Hurricane Center, the storm may not complete its crossing of Cuba until Sunday afternoon.
The storm has already been showing signs of swinging farther west of Tampa, but that could still put the system on a collision course for the Panhandle, between Tallahassee and Pensacola.
At 5 p.m. on Thursday, Isaac continued to move west-northwest, located about 180 miles south-southwest of San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Maximum sustained winds remained at 40 miles per hour, where they had been most of the day.
Scott, who is scheduled to speak Monday night at the convention, leaving for Tampa on Sunday, said he may have to cancel.
Im responsible for the state; the first thing Im going to do is be the governor, Scott said. Im going to be where it makes the most sense. If it makes the most sense to be here in Tallahassee, Ill do that.
The phone conversation with Romney was mostly of a reassuring nature, that Florida can handle a storm.
The state is ready. The state is a hospitality state. We know how to deal with hurricanes and we know how to take care of tourists.
Reach Jim Turner at jturner@sunshinestatenews.com or at (772) 215-9889.
