Republican Party of Florida Chairman Lenny Curry doesnt believe Isaac will drown any bump one can typically expect following a national convention.
Once we get through, this thing blows by, the convention will go on, Romney will be on stage communicating his message, his image, as will Paul Ryan and his surrogates, Curry said Sunday at Innisbrook Resort and Spa in Palm Harbor.
Still, Curry said, regardless of the weather, the campaigns have always been expected to ramp up after Labor Day, as both parties complete their national conventions.
Its going to be a ground game, its going to be a messaging game, the Obama street fight, and well be ready for it, Curry said.
Still, a concern has arisen. The fear is that because of Isaac, as it crashes through the Florida Keys Sunday and into the Gulf Coast late Tuesday, the short attention span of the national media will shift its focus from the convention hall and the GOP message to compelling footage of storm damage.
And with the major networks already planning limited coverage, party leaders had considered extending the convention until Friday, a move that would have required many to rearrange flights, rental cars and hotel rooms.
Instead, the convention will be compacted into three nights, with Ann Romney and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie highlighting the speakers list on Tuesday, former Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice, New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez and vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan on Wednesday, and Florida Sen. Marco Rubio and Romney on Thursday.
Expect many speeches to be shortened for time.
On Monday, the convention will be called to order and within minutes recessed until Tuesday where the delegates will formally nominate Romney to top the partys ticket in November.
Reach Jim Turner at jturner@sunshinestatenews.com or at (772) 215-9889.
