2012 Republican and Democratic National Conventions

Ester Cross '15 shares observations and reflections.

Hello!

Even national political events planned in the span of over a year can be changed in a couple of days because of volatile weather patterns. Today would have been the first day of the Republican Convention if not for concerns about Hurricane Isaac and its effects on Tampa, FL. Taking precautionary measures, the RNC decided to postpone all events and speakers scheduled on Monday to Tuesday. The nomination of Candidate Mitt Romney to his party’s ballot will be postponed to Tuesday. The key Monday speech by Ann Romney is also moved to Tuesday as speeches of Republican Party leaders have been adjusted to meet the new three-day schedule.

Although Republicans are losing a day in which to communicate Romney’s message and the party platform to the American people, the three-day Republican Convention is now matched with the three-day Democratic Convention in Charlotte, NC.

Other political groups in Tampa are hosting events in addition to the RNC: Tea Party activists held a rally Sunday affirming their commitment to their platform, GOP protesters will demonstrate throughout the RNC, Ron Paul supporters held a rally Sunday criticizing the Republican establishment and Rep. Debbi Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) hosted an event at which she distributed anti-Romney paraphernalia.

More from Tampa to follow as Monday – originally scheduled to be the first day of the convention – unfolds without any of the scheduled political activities.