RNC Opening Day Canceled Due to Storm Threat

The first day of the Republican National Convention in Tampa on Monday has been wiped out by the threat of Tropical Storm Isaac, the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Officials announced the opening day's cancellation during a conference call Saturday, the Times reports.

The newspaper posted the following statement from Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus on its website:

"Due to the severe weather reports for the Tampa Bay area, the Republican National Convention will convene on Monday August 27th and immediately recess until Tuesday afternoon, August 28th. After consulting with Governor (Rick) 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."

There was no immediate word on a revised schedule for the convention, which runs through Thursday in downtown Tampa.

A welcome party planned for Sunday night at Tropicana Field is still on as scheduled, St. Petersburg Mayor Bill Foster said Saturday afternoon.