–Republicans Schedule 10 Minute Session For Monday To Start Key Meeting
–GOP Speakers Expected To Blast Obama For ‘Failed’ Econ Stewardship
–Former Mass Governor Romney Scheduled To Give Acceptance Speech Thurs

By John Shaw

WASHINGTON (MNI) – The Republican National Convention is expected
to officially select former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney as its
presidential nominee this week, but the elaborately scheduled coronation
is being complicated by Tropical Storm Isaac.

Convention officials announced they will hold a brief opening
session Monday afternoon but cancel the rest of the day’s programming as
the tropical storm moves through the Gulf of Mexico and is poised to
pummel the U.S. mainland.

Reince Priebus, the chairman of the Republican National Committee,
will open the convention Monday at 2 p.m. and then adjourn the session
at 2:10 p.m.

The GOP Convention will resume Tuesday at 2 p.m. ET and is expected
to approve the party platform and vote to nominate Romney as the
Republican presidential nominee and Congressman Paul Ryan as the GOP
Vice Presidential nominee.

Tuesday evening, Ann Romney, the wife of Gov. Romney, will address
the convention as will New Jersey Governor Chris Christie. House Speaker
John Boehner will also make remarks.

Ryan will address the convention Wednesday evening while Romney
will give his formal acceptance speech Thursday.

The expected focus of Ryan and Romney and most of the other
featured speakers will be on the struggling American economy. GOP
speakers are certain to blame President Obama for the nation’s sluggish
growth and trillion dollar annual deficits.

Obama will accept the Democratic nomination next week in Charlotte,
North Carolina.

Most polls show the battle between Romney and Obama to be very
close, with the election likely to be decided by the outcome in less
than a dozen swing states.

Both Romney and Obama are seeking the 270 electoral votes needed to
secure the presidency on November 6.

A number of factors could shape the final outcome, including the
final three employment reports that will be released before election
day.

The election could also be influenced by the three presidential
debates and, to a lesser extent, the single vice presidential debate.

Obama and Romney will debate on Oct. 3 in Denver, Colorado, Oct. 16
in Hempstead, New York, and Oct. 22 in Boca Raton, Florida.

Ryan will debate Vice President Joe Biden on Oct. 11 in Danville,
Kentucky.

** MNI Washington Bureau: (202) 371-2121 **

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