2012 RNC: Waiting out the storm

Greetings from sunny … er, beautiful … er, just Tampa. And from the inside of my hotel room at that, because not a lot else is happening this opening day of the 2012 Republican National Convention.

The Georgia delegation, which is staying at the same hotel, is holed up in an enormous ballroom listening to uber-focus grouper Frank Luntz. I’d tell you what he’s saying, except the event — like everything else the Georgia delegation has done so far — is closed to the press. I don’t know why so many Georgia Republicans believe they can shape press coverage to their liking by shunning the press. One day, perhaps they’ll learn these antics won’t keep the media from covering them and might just contribute to the sometimes adversarial relationship they have with us. (In any case, the AJC’s Jim Galloway is sitting outside the ballroom as I type, to gather what he can from the Luntz discussion.)

Beyond that, and in case you haven’t yet heard, the Monday program for the convention has been cut to a 10-minute session this afternoon in which the gathering will be officially opened and then adjourned until tomorrow afternoon. Whether the weather justifies that decision remains to be seen; for now, it would appear the worst has already passed us, though more rain is coming. But it may turn out to be a regrettable decision in terms of media coverage of the proceedings, because Tropical Storm Isaac is threatening to become a hurricane and is projected now to make landfall near New Orleans sometime late Tuesday or early Wednesday. Whenever and wherever it hits, it’s likely media coverage will shift to the hurricane — especially if it’s a big storm hitting New Orleans just seven years after Hurricane Katrina — and that the RNC will want to cancel some of its proceedings out of respect for the storm’s victims.

From a political perspective, what this means is that Mitt Romney could be watching Mother Nature take a big chunk out of one of the key moments in his campaign. I don’t think this week is critical for his campaign: Since Paul Ryan joined the ticket, the race has tightened even further, including in the swing states. And Romney has yet to tap into general-election funds for which he currently has a $60 million advantage over President Obama. So, this week certainly isn’t make-or-break. But it is shaping up as a possible lost opportunity.

– By Kyle Wingfield

Find me on Facebook or follow me on Twitter

346 comments Add your comment

You don't say

August 27th, 2012
2:34 pm

Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)

August 27th, 2012
2:35 pm

Tiberius at 1:55

That’s pretty flaky.

Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed

August 27th, 2012
2:36 pm

You know, “independent thinker” (two words that never apply to your posts, btw), bringing in Ann Romney’s MS as being something Mitt Romney is responsible for because in your mind he hasn’t “come clean” is beyond disgusting.

There is no defending your remark, and I suggest you apologize for it.

Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)

August 27th, 2012
2:37 pm

deep across-the-board tax cuts

LOL, yeah, he cut taxes — right before he figured out that it was a bone-headed move. He then raised taxes like 8 times.

Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed

August 27th, 2012
2:38 pm

You don’t say, you’re not capable of painting an entire picture regarding the term of Ronald Reagan.

Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)

August 27th, 2012
2:38 pm

Tiberius, he didn’t say Mitt was responsible for the MS. Why do you always read so much pain and anguish into everything a liberal says? Blow stuff out of proportion much?

You don't say

August 27th, 2012
2:40 pm

Thinker

Not sure what Romney’s wife’s MS has to do with anything, however it wasn’t a comment made toward a blogger on this site, hence you owe no one an apology

Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)

August 27th, 2012
2:41 pm

Arkansas???

Medical marijuana took one step closer to hitting the South on Wednesday when Arkansas’ Secretary of State office confirmed that the issue will be on the ballot there this November

Arkansas????

Georgia is truly just one step ahead of Mississippi.

Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed

August 27th, 2012
2:44 pm

“Tiberius, he didn’t say Mitt was responsible for the MS.”

Right, Finn.

He’s just pointing out all the allegedly bad things that Romney has done or has happened to him, and suggests that “coming clean” will be his salvation.

Stop being so damned stupid.

You don't say

August 27th, 2012
2:46 pm

Tiberius

And you “stop being so damn stupid” think that a blogger who insulted no one on this board owes anyone an apology

You don't say

August 27th, 2012
2:49 pm

Finn

I’m sure you are fully aware that regardless of the political leanings, those who attempt to come across as they run the blog are usually ones who were banned elsewhere for the same lack of self restraint.

Pretty damn funny to say the least

MarkV

August 27th, 2012
2:49 pm

There are things that should not be joked about. MS is one of them.

Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed

August 27th, 2012
2:52 pm

You don’t say, the level of discourse on virtually every subject drops precipitously whenever you libs come on board.

Whether it is “independent thinker”, Finn/Cheesy Grits, the blogger formerly known as Trashman – it doesn’t really matter.

That you and your fellow libs can’t man up and apologize for making this so (and bringing the illness of the wife of a candidate into the discussion), is beyond belief. Why don’t you just double-down on “independent thinker’s” remarks; you know you really want to.

You don't say

August 27th, 2012
2:52 pm

MarkV

Agreed.

Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)

August 27th, 2012
2:53 pm

Just gotta love Tiberius feigning his feelings being hurt by someone mentioning MS.

You don't say

August 27th, 2012
2:55 pm

Tiberius

You do not run this blog as much as you would like to do so.

The rules are set by Kyle and the AJC. BS and name calling flies from all sides.

I could careless if you have the ability to acknowledge that are not. So you can get red faced and blow gasket for all I care.

So “man up” and stop crying like a 2 yr old who can’t have her way

Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)

August 27th, 2012
2:56 pm

Reminds of the time a week or so ago I asked all the Cons here:

“What are ya’ll doing blogging? Shouldn’t ya’ll be busy with your plans to blow up an abortion clinic or federal building?”

Watch the indignation ooze out of them…

Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed

August 27th, 2012
3:02 pm

You don’t say, I have never claimed to run this blog, nor have I ever tried to do so. That you consistently use that “excuse” to hump my leg at every turn instead of actually having a discussion on the issues is your problem, not mine.

And Finn, I do not have to “feign” feelings for someone bringing up MS in a discussion. That disease has touched my life in ways you cannot imagine, and for anybody to inject it into a political discussion by making claims that Mitt Romney’s actions might have brought that disease upon his wife is disgusting to me.

As it should be for anybody on either side.

But if anybody is going to stoop so low as to do that, then not receive the condemnation from the liberals on this blog (save MarkV) is typical for the way you people operate.

You don't say

August 27th, 2012
3:03 pm

Tiberius

Have a tissue

You don't say

August 27th, 2012
3:04 pm

Thinker
And again before Tiberius started his little hissy fit, not sure what MS or Romney’s wife had to do with your post, however you owe no one on this blog an apology

Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)

August 27th, 2012
3:05 pm

Must be that time of the month for Tiberius…….

Might also explain the skimpy order of fries he served me at lunch today?

You don't say

August 27th, 2012
3:06 pm

Tiberius

If a family member, friend or yourself is suffering from MS, I do hope that they are getting the best care possible

I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...

August 27th, 2012
3:08 pm

We can call it Hurricane obozo.

Mitt Who Are You?....Can You Trust A Man Who Wears Religious Underwear and Who Believes in the White Horse Prophecy?

August 27th, 2012
3:09 pm

Mitt Romney could be watching Mother Nature take a big chunk out of one of the key moments in his campaign.

But it is shaping up as a possible lost opportunity.

******************************************************************************************

Something has gone wrong
Well maybe God is trying to tell them something
God is trying to tell them something
God is trying to tell them something
Maybe God is trying to tell them something right
now

Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed

August 27th, 2012
3:09 pm

What’s next on your agenda, libs? Ann Romney’s miscarriages?

Might as well go all in on the misfortunes of others.

Mitt Who Are You?....Can You Trust A Man Who Wears Religious Underwear and Who Believes in the White Horse Prophecy?

August 27th, 2012
3:11 pm

@I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin…

August 27th, 2012
3:08 pm
We can call it Hurricane obozo.

************************************************************

Watch out NOW

God don’t like UGLY.

Isaac is no coincidence. :)

You don't say

August 27th, 2012
3:11 pm

Tiberius

And for the record, you are intelligent enough to more than understand that one does not have to claim anything but can imply and assert through words and actions…………

just saying

have a great afternoon

I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...

August 27th, 2012
3:12 pm

Or Hurricane Karma.

southpaw

August 27th, 2012
3:12 pm

Finn @2:56
Reminds of the time a week or so ago I asked all the Cons here:

“What are ya’ll doing blogging? Shouldn’t ya’ll be busy with your plans to blow up an abortion clinic or federal building?”

Watch the indignation ooze out of them…

Actually, we just started laughing at you. Or, to use a term you seem to like, MWAHAHAHAHAHA…

Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed

August 27th, 2012
3:13 pm

Can you trust a blogger who changes his name on a daily basis and wears a pagan symbol around his neck?

Mitt Who Are You?......Can You Trust A Man Who Wears Religious Underwear and Who Believes in the White Horse Prophecy?

August 27th, 2012
3:13 pm

@Tiberius – pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed

August 27th, 2012
3:09 pm
What’s next on your agenda, libs? Ann Romney’s miscarriages?

Might as well go all in on the misfortunes of others.

******************************************************************************

LIBS don’t go into the gutter.

We always take the high road.

We call it like it is.

I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...

August 27th, 2012
3:14 pm

What’s next on your agenda, libs?

It won’t be the aftermath of Hurricane Karma, that’s for sure. This thing could wipe out the entire state of Louisiana, PMSNBC will still be leading with Romney’s tax returns.

Mitt Who Are You?......Can You Trust A Man Who Wears Religious Underwear and Who Believes in the White Horse Prophecy?

August 27th, 2012
3:16 pm

@Tiberius – pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed

August 27th, 2012
3:13 pm
Can you trust a blogger who changes his name on a daily basis and wears a pagan symbol around his neck?

**************************************************************************

Yes. Because you know where I am coming from on any given day.

I keep it real. No surprises

Its takes A PAGAN TO KNOW A PAGAN.

Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)

August 27th, 2012
3:17 pm

Well, did they fix the levee’s? Are people getting out of NO early this time?

Centrist

August 27th, 2012
3:17 pm

The liberal media is locked out of the ballroom because it will mostly report negative things about Republican strategy. If Georgia weren’t a lock for its electoral votes going to Romney, I’d worry about Democrat Galloway eavesdropping by the door to get ammunition for further Republican attacks.

Mitt Who Are You?.........Can You Trust A Man Who Wears Religious Underwear and Who Believes in the White Horse Prophecy?

August 27th, 2012
3:19 pm

@I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin…

August 27th, 2012
3:14 pm
What’s next on your agenda, libs?

It won’t be the aftermath of Hurricane Karma, that’s for sure. This thing could wipe out the entire state of Louisiana, PMSNBC will still be leading with Romney’s tax returns.

**************************************************************************

AND THEY SHOULD.

WHERE ARE THE TAX RETURNS MYTH?

Who would vote for a man who is HIDING HIS TAX RETURNS?

“POOR” IDIOTS. AS IN NOT RICH

southpaw

August 27th, 2012
3:21 pm

WHERE ARE THE TAX RETURNS MYTH?

The IRS has them. Next question.

Dusty

August 27th, 2012
3:28 pm

Weather Report:

“The rain in Spain stays mainly in the plain.”

While the rain in Tampa is thought to remain.

The GOP stays strong in its stand.

“Now and forever, MITT is the MAN”.

.

Mitt Who Are You?.........Can You Trust A Man Who Wears Religious Underwear and Who Believes in the White Horse Prophecy?

August 27th, 2012
3:28 pm

@Centrist

August 27th, 2012
3:17 pm
The liberal media is locked out of the ballroom because it will mostly report negative things about Republican strategy. If Georgia weren’t a lock for its electoral votes going to Romney, I’d worry about Democrat Galloway eavesdropping by the door to get ammunition for further Republican attacks
*************************************************************

“Every thing secret degenerates,

even the administration of justice;

nothing is safe that does not show how it can bear discussion and publicity.”

Mitt Who Are You?.........Can You Trust A Man Who Wears Religious Underwear and Who Believes in the White Horse Prophecy?

August 27th, 2012
3:32 pm

@Dusty

August 27th, 2012
3:28 pm
Weather Report:

“The rain in Spain stays mainly in the plain.”

While the rain in Tampa is thought to remain.

The GOP stays strong in its stand.

“Now and forever, MITT is the MAN”.

*****************************************************************************

While the rain in Tampa is thought to remain.

The GOP will go insane.

“Now and forever,

MITT WILL ALWAYS remain………. the RELIGIOUS UNDERWEAR MAN”.

Mitt Who Are You?.........Can You Trust A Man Who Wears Religious Underwear and Who Believes in the White Horse Prophecy?

August 27th, 2012
3:35 pm

@southpaw

August 27th, 2012
3:21 pm
WHERE ARE THE TAX RETURNS MYTH?

The IRS has them. Next question.

***********************************************************************

DUH

Tell us something we don’t know.

GENIUS…..

fair and balanced

August 27th, 2012
3:38 pm

Anne said: We have given you people all the information you need. The she said if we gave you the returns, it will be used as ammunition against us. Time to come clean and show us the ammunition. Anne- The lord is raining on your parade.There is a reason.
How do you take payments for services rendered by Bain as capital gains? Time for the GOP to decide if you want to put a tax cheat in the white house. Your own man Newt called it like it was.

Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed

August 27th, 2012
3:43 pm

Interesting that “fair and balanced” and “independent thinker” both refrain from using capital letters in their blogging names, and post some of the same things.

Oh, and “fair and balanced / independent thinker”? “You people” was addressed to the media, not the American public. And there is no evidence of Mitt Romney being a “tax cheat”. He’s rich. Get over it and move on.

The Romney’s don’t feed the trolls.

Darwin

August 27th, 2012
3:43 pm

Will the Repubs have someone at the convention podium giving a speech or a demo on how to get an IRA to $100 million?

Hillbilly D

August 27th, 2012
3:44 pm

Time for the GOP to decide if you want to put a tax cheat in the white house.

I’m not a GOP’er and really don’t like either candidate but in fairness, we’ve already got one running the Treasury.

Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)

August 27th, 2012
3:50 pm

“You people” was addressed to the media, not the American public.

No, Tiberius, it was directed squarely at you. Face reality – 99% of the people on this blog are considered “you people.”

dair and balanced

August 27th, 2012
3:54 pm

Sorry Hillbilly D – Geitner came clean on his mistakes in his returns and paid the taxes. Let’s see Romney’s returns determine the”"ammunition”" as his lovely wife said. Big difference. Anyway they did not come close in any way to the time of misreporting by your business genius/nominee How did that IRA get to over $100 million????????????
Didn’t mean to rain on Mr. Tiberrius’ parade. Probably bored because he cannot watch Mr. etch a sketch on TV

Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed

August 27th, 2012
3:54 pm

Finn, face reality. They were talking to a reporter. The reporter was asking about releasing more tax returns. She addressed the reporter. Therefore, she addressed the media.

Nice try, but intelligent people know what reality is.

You? Not so much.

Jefferson

August 27th, 2012
3:54 pm

That little rain ? You call that a storm. I call candy ass.

cc

August 27th, 2012
3:55 pm

Rafe Hollister, suffering through Oblamer’s ineptocracy:

“Your synopsis of the article omitted the statement above about 52% pointed blame at Obama. You didn’t leave that out on purpose did you?”

You think? They will only admit it when they are CAUGHT at it!