Storm delays GOP convention until Tuesday

Citing concerns over the oncoming Tropical Storm Isaac, the Republican party announced Saturday it would delay the start of its national convention, choosing to convene briefly Monday before reconvening for a full session Tuesday.

"After consulting with Governor Scott, NOAA and local emergency management officials, we are optimistic that we will begin an exciting, robust convention that will nominate the Romney-Ryan ticket," National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus said in a statement Saturday.

NBC News reported that an updated schedule for the now-truncated convention has not yet been determined, though a spokesperson for the GOP's presumptive presidential candidate, Mitt Romney, said his formal nomination will take place on Tuesday.

Forecasts currently call for Isaac to become a Class 1 or 2 hurricane around Monday, as it passes thru the Gulf of Mexico just west of the convention's host city, Tampa, Florida. The state's governor, Rick Scott, had announced he would not be participating in the convention but would stay in town to coordinate response efforts. Scott also announced a state of emergency in an effort to secure coordination between state, local and federal agencies.

[image via Agence France-Presse]