The tropical storm Isaac is  the main issue threatening the Republican Convention, but it is not the only one, Joe Biden’s Florida visit on August 27 and Augusto 28, with a stop in Tampa included, could also affect the Republican National Convention.

Biden’s visit to Tampa may take some media attention out of the convention, also President Obama has planned to campaign on August 28 and August 29 in Iowa, Colorado and Virginia, which may also take media attention out of the convention. Michele Obama has also plans to campaign on August 29; she has a planned appearance on David Letterman’s show On CBS.

Isaac has turned into a serious problem for the GOP Convention organizers’ security plans, half of the expected officers come from different parts of Florida that could be affected by the storm, which may force them to stay home.

Hillsborough County Sheriff David Gee stated: “We’re in a situation right now where we don’t know what’s going to happen.” David Gee also explained that some agencies might decide not to send security officers to Tampa if their area is affected by Isaac.

The Republican National Convention expects more than 3,500 officers from 59 law enforcement agencies from all around Florida. Inside the convention hall the Secret Service will be in charge of the security.

The Republican officials have tried to calm things down saying the convention will proceed as expected. Republican National Convention CEO William Harris stated: “We continue to move forward with our planning and look forward to a successful convention,” Harris added that “Governor Scott and local emergency officials have assured us that they have the resources in place to respond to this storm should it make landfall, as our primary concern is with those in the potential path of the storm.”

The Florida Governor Rick Scott also said that the state, local and federal authorities had no plans to cancel the convention. Scoot hopes the hurricane does not affect Florida, but he reminded that Florida is the most prepared state in the country for hurricanes.

Jeff Masters, director of meteorology for Weather Underground, explained that it is not probable that Tampa takes a direct hit from Isaac, but it could sideswipe the city causing rain and flood.

Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn also said the city is prepared for Isaac, he stated: “We have contingency plan after contingency plan,” and added: “We are ready in the event that it happens. I don’t think it’s going to be a factor in this particular convention. But we are prepared in the event that it is.” With 50,000 people coming to the convention the storm has become a big issue.

Image Courtesy of   USACEpublicaffairs

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About the author

Gerardo Jose Torres Montalvo
Student of Philosophy and Journalism in Universidad de Navarra, Spain. Interested in world politics, especially in Latin American issue and in political philosophy. I was born in the United States, but raised in El Salvador.

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