So what are the contingency plans? Convention organizers ain't saying, other than to offer that they have plans and they're moving ahead and - I kid you not because this is a direct quote from their statement - that the Republicans are ready, if not for the convention, then "for the mission ahead: sending America's Comeback Team to Washington to rein in federal spending and put Americans back to work."
No word about what's going to happen to the 50,000 delegates and media and visitors (including an expected 5,000 protesters) descending on Tampa for the GOP convention. It was Eldridge Cleaver who said that those who know don't say and those who say don't know.
But sheesh, I wish someone would say.
Tampa has a population of about 335,000 - so 15% of its population will suddenly be added starting this weekend, including yours truly and my Eyewitness News teammates. Our coverage begins Sunday night at 11 and continues through the Thursday night acceptance speech by Mitt Romney.
I'm going to be using all sorts of new-fangled social media - fingers crossed - and I look forward to your feedback from our efforts.
Tonight at 11, we'll have the latest on how Isaac may affect the convention, and Meteorologist Lee Goldberg will have the up-to-date track of the storm.
Also at 11, they're spraying in Brooklyn tonight for mosquitoes that carry the West Nile Virus. So far, 41 people have died across the country in the 47 states with confirmed cases of West Nile. We'll show you the precautions you should take for you and your family to help prevent the virus.
And finally, Donald Trump, MD?
It seems the real estate developer and reality TV show host suddenly is talking like a doctor - with the same accuracy as that physician who advised Congressman Todd Akin about women's ability to prevent pregnancy during rape.
Trump, apparently reacting to the study yesterday that older fathers increase the odds of their children getting autism, tweeted that "massive combined inoculations to small children is the case for the big increase in autism….." And he added that "….spread shots out over long period and watch positive result."
The truth is that studies have shown that vaccines have NOTHING TO DO with causing autism. With surrogates like Mr. Trump and Cong. Akin, the Romney campaign has its work cut out.
I'm just sayin'.
We'll also have any breaking news of the night, plus Laura Behnke (in for Rob Powers) with the night's sports. I hope you can join Sade Baderinwa and me, tonight at 11.
Subscribe to my page on Facebook at facebook.com/billritter.wabc.
Follow my tweets at www.twitter.com/billritter7.
