Republicans open a low-key convention

It was not quite what they had planned. No sooner had Republicans in the US opened their national convention in Florida on Monday than it was immediately adjourned amid fears over Tropical Storm Isaac. Real business will begin on Tuesday.

But forget the loud music and razzmatazz, political point scoring was more the mood as the party chairman deliberately staged a low key session, mindful of the atrocious weather outside.

And the star of the show, Mitt Romney whose official nomination as Republican presidential candidate is the main event, will now make an earlier than expected appearance in Tampa.

Although the showcase in Florida is the culmination of months of campaigning both Romney and his running mate Paul Ryan want to show their caring side.

“I think we should right now put in our minds and our prayers the people who have been victims of Hurricane Isaac and those who still stand in the path of the storm,” said Paul Ryan.

Ryan was campaigning in his home state of Wisconsin before also flying off to Florida. The next few days, weather allowing, Republicans will be judging just how good the Romney-Ryan ticket is likely to be.

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