Was the GOP dumb to plan its convention in Florida during hurricane season?
Tropical Storm Isaac has upset Mitt Romney's much-hyped coronation, and some critics are berating Republicans for setting themselves up for failure

Thanks to Tropical Storm Isaac, Republicans have been forced to rewrite tightly scripted plans for their national convention in Tampa, canceling Monday's opening events and squeezing the four-day convention's activities and speeches into a jam-packed Tuesday-Wednesday-Thursday schedule. Forecasters now say Isaac should steer west of Tampa, but predict that the storm is likely to strengthen into a hurricane and threaten the Gulf Coast, possibly even New Orleans, as early as Wednesday. That scary scenario, coming seven years to the week after Hurricane Katrina, could divert even more attention from the carefully crafted messaging in Mitt Romney's big coming-out party. GOP insiders are reportedly fuming at the party officials who chose to hold the convention in Florida at the height of hurricane season. In retrospect, was this a really bad idea?
The GOP made a huge mistake: Holding a convention in a hurricane-prone area at the height of hurricane season is "dumb," says Doug Mataconis at Outside the Beltway. Now, Romney could wind up being "overshadowed by the storm," especially if New Orleans finds itself in Isaac's path. In years past, conventions were held earlier in summer, when storms are less common. "Going back to the way we did things in the '80s might be a good idea."
"Isaac demonstrates why political conventions in late August are a dumb idea"
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
But Republicans had good reasons for picking Tampa: The odds of a storm hitting town during the convention were under 1 percent, says Aaron Blake at The Washington Post. The GOP figured that was a gamble worth taking. Florida is a critical swing state, and Tampa is in the "all-important Interstate 4 corridor," which "swung significantly for Obama in 2008." The region is also struggling economically, making it prime pick-up territory for disgruntled swing voters.
"Why the GOP gambled on Tampa"
With any luck, this will only be a minor problem: Yes, "this is a setback for Romney," says Rick Moran at The American Thinker. And it cost some GOP stars — like Nikki Haley, Mike Huckabee, and Jeb Bush — their speaking slots. But the organizers will probably scramble and get Jeb, a popular former Florida governor, on the dais somehow. If nothing else goes wrong, this hiccup "will be forgotten when the last echoes of applause for Mr. Romney's acceptance speech fade away."
"GOP cancels first day of convention due to Isaac"
Read more political coverage at The Week's 2012 Election Center.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Scientists want to fight malaria by poisoning mosquitoes with human blood
Under the radar Drugging the bugs
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
Crossword: March 31, 2025
The Week's daily crossword
By The Week Staff Published
-
Sudoku medium: March 31, 2025
The Week's daily medium sudoku puzzle
By The Week Staff Published
-
The JFK files: the truth at last?
In The Spotlight More than 64,000 previously classified documents relating the 1963 assassination of John F. Kennedy have been released by the Trump administration
By The Week Staff Published
-
'Seriously, not literally': how should the world take Donald Trump?
Today's big question White House rhetoric and reality look likely to become increasingly blurred
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will Trump's 'madman' strategy pay off?
Today's Big Question Incoming US president likes to seem unpredictable but, this time round, world leaders could be wise to his playbook
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Democrats vs. Republicans: who are the billionaires backing?
The Explainer Younger tech titans join 'boys' club throwing money and support' behind President Trump, while older plutocrats quietly rebuke new administration
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
US election: where things stand with one week to go
The Explainer Harris' lead in the polls has been narrowing in Trump's favour, but her campaign remains 'cautiously optimistic'
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Is Trump okay?
Today's Big Question Former president's mental fitness and alleged cognitive decline firmly back in the spotlight after 'bizarre' town hall event
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
The life and times of Kamala Harris
The Explainer The vice-president is narrowly leading the race to become the next US president. How did she get to where she is now?
By The Week UK Published
-
Will 'weirdly civil' VP debate move dial in US election?
Today's Big Question 'Diametrically opposed' candidates showed 'a lot of commonality' on some issues, but offered competing visions for America's future and democracy
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published