GOP convention starts but events postponed

TAMPA, Fla. (KGO) -- The first day of the Republican National Convention ended 10 minutes after it started Monday afternoon. Concerns over Hurricane Isaac forced the GOP to cancel the first day's business. Most of the action was with the California delegation.

Speaker of the House John Boehner, R-Ohio, says he's more concerned about the Gulf Coast than he is about the Republican Convention. Tropical Storm Isaac bypassed Tampa Bay, but still threatens the Republicans' big party.

It is not how the Republicans pictured the first day of their convention in Tampa. It was a very quick session, just a formality to kick off the 2012 Republican National Convention. The party was shortened by a day due to one very unwelcomed guest -- Tropical Storm Isaac.

For now, the Republican ticket is staying away with Paul Ryan postponing his arrival until Tuesday. On Monday, his hometown in Wisconsin gave him a raucous sendoff. Mitt Romney was at his home in New Hampshire working on his acceptance speech, scheduled for Thursday night in prime time. Both speeches will be big moments for the campaign and a chance to reset the narrative.

Monday morning the co-chair of Romney's California campaign told me what she hopes to hear.

"You remember I worked for Mitt for 10 years and so I want people to know the Mitt that I knew when I worked for him. So I think he's going to tell a little bit more of his personal story and then his vision for America," said Whitman.

Former California Gov. Pete Wilson told me if the storm moves onto New Orleans, there may be more postponements, but Romney's convention will go on.

"And I think the message is going to get out and he's going to win," said Wilson.

"I don't care if we get blown in by a hurricane or a tornado, ultimately there is going to be an earthquake in Washington next January," said Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Vista.

Monday, Romney cited Whitman as a model of the kind of person he'd like to have in his cabinet.

"So I'm very flattered, that's awfully nice of him, but no, because I'm going to stay at HP. When I signed up for that job I realized it was a multi-year turn around so I'll be at HP," said Whitman.

Romney will be at the convention on Tuesday to see his wife as she takes the stage at the convention.

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republican national committee, republicans, mitt romney, meg whitman, 2012 presidential race, politics, mark matthews

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