While Republicans are relieved that Tropical Storm Isaac has headed west, sparing their convention, they are now concerned that Isaac will divert media attention away from their three day free commercial, and create an awkward contrast to convention celebrations, according to Huffington Post, in Republican Convention Coverage Threatened By Isaac As Media Bigs Abandon Tampa. CNN has redeployed Anderson Cooper and Solidad Obrien, to New Orleans, and Fox News has sent Shep Smith there, as well.
15,000 journalists have traveled down to Florida to cover the Republican convention -- large parcels of media stars on the same plane was not an uncommon sight-- but, as of Monday, they don't have much to do. The storm has already forced the GOP to cancel the first night of its convention, and has the party worrying about how to get their message out if things get worse. As Reuters noted, "Romney could be robbed of some media attention - or worse, have images of convention festivities juxtaposed with searing split-screen television images of the storm's onslaught if Isaac dominates the news this week."
On Monday, at least, Isaac appeared to be winning. The morning's Washington Post was dominated by a huge picture of ominous waves. "Republicans gather, and so does the storm," a headline read. "All eyes on Isaac," an Associated Press article blared.
Already, the cancelation of Monday's events has created a problem for reporters all dressed up with little to cover.
The network morning shows reflected the preeminence the storm has taken, leading their programs off with multiple packages of coverage. ... "Isaac is the story of the morning," Robin Roberts observed on "Good Morning America." On "Today," Matt Lauer, who had been sent to Tampa for the Republican gathering, was taping outside the Tampa Bay Times Forum, outfitted in a classic storm-covering windbreaker. ...
"They're going to be sharing the screen all week with the possibility of a hurricane hitting New Orleans on the anniversary of Katrina," Stephanopoulos said to Sawyer, who had just shown footage of herself trapped in a howling gust of wind earlier in the day.
Perhaps, we will hear top Republicans singing the praise, and appreciation that we have a strong and capable federal government to help out those who will be ravaged by this storm?
1:48 PM PT: Have any reporters asked Romney, and Ryan if they plan to cut funds for the National Weather Service, and FEMA, along with Amtrak, NSF, NIH, NFA, Pell Grants, etc.?