The Republicans lopped a day off their convention in Tampa because of Tropical Storm Isaac and now are praying Mitt Romney’s coronation isn’t eclipsed by video of wind, rain, and floods battering New Orleans once again.
Howard Kurtz, writing in The Daily Beast, says the storm creates a split-screen dilemma for the Republicans. The Globe also dwells on the weather negatives, suggesting the entire convention might have to be scrapped.
The rest of the media are hunkering down in Tampa, which missed the brunt of the storm, and seem determined to do the convention thing. NECN’s Alison King talks to the Massachusetts delegates who are excited to be at least near the spotlight for a change. Rep. Brad Jones, the Massachusetts House minority leader, tells King that it’s like being a Red Sox fan watching the team win the World Series. A Globe story takes the same tack, suggesting the state’s delegates are no longer on the convention outskirts.
Others have advice for the GOP. WBUR says Romney and the Republicans should be thinking of the audience right outside the convention hall this week. Hillsborough County, where the convention is being held, could play a pivotal role in deciding which way Florida goes in the election.
Time says Romney needs to convince voters in his acceptance speech that he shares their struggles, that he understands the problems facing the middle class. In an interview, Romney tells the magazine that lower marginal tax rates will spur economic growth. “I am who I am”: Mitt Romney channeling his inner Popeye the Sailor Man.
The Wall Street Journal and New York Times offer differing takes on the role of the Tea Party in GOP politics. Jon Huntsman tries to tie the Florida convention to immigration reform in a Journal op-ed column. New York magazine argues that 2012 may be the Republicans’ last shot at winning with an aging white base.
David Carr of the New York Times laments the lack of drama at this year’s conventions. “The suspense this year boils down to two not very interesting questions: how can the president get people to believe in hope when there has been little change, and can Mitt Romney shake off his plastic, sitcom-dad persona and imitate a human being?” Carr writes.
Former Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, who left the Republican Party in 2010 when he ran for the US Senate, endorsed President Obama in a Tampa Bay Times op-ed piece. Meanwhile, US Sen. Scott Brown is making himself scarce, not intending to show up in Tampa until the last minute on Thursday. As the Herald reports, the reluctant Republican conveniently scheduled National Guard duty early this week.
— Bruce Mohl
BEACON HILL
Attorney General Martha Coakley joins Keller@Large to discuss politics and policy, including her office’s foreclosure prevention effort and what it will take to defeat US Sen. Scott Brown.
Federal prosecutors release a claim on Sal DiMasi’s North End condominium, which is being sold to avoid foreclosure.
The Herald completely disagrees with Joe Kearns Goodwin’s politics, but throws the state Senate candidate an endorsement anyway.
MUNICIPAL MATTERS
Even though the state imposed a spending freeze on the Scituate Housing Authority in March, it actually can’t enforce such an order, officials admitted.
A small alligator is fished out of the Merrimack Canal in Lowell, the Sun reports.
Needham rallies for Aly, NECN reports.
CASINOS
The Globe examines the pros and cons of Springfield’s decision to narrow the group of casino operators bidding on gambling license.
Banker & Tradesman columnist Scott van Voorhis argues that Mohegan Sun blew it in Palmer, possibly costing the casino a gambling license at the hands of MGM Springfield.
NATIONAL POLITICS/WASHINGTON
In the last of a four-part Associated Press series on Social Security, a poll shows Americans support raising taxes and the retirement age to save the program for future generations. (Via the Brockton Enterprise.)
ELECTION 2012
Red Mass. Group is not impressed with the “socialist” mayor of Lowell endorsing Elizabeth Warren.
Volunteers fan out across Adams to gauge support for Elizabeth Warren.
FISHING
Former state rep. John Quinn, now an administrator at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, has been appointed a member of the New England Fishery Management Council.
BUSINESS/ECONOMY
Apple’s patent victory throws Google phones for a loop.
The New York Times, which bought About Group for $400 million in 2005, is selling it to IAC/Interactive Corp. for $300 million.
EDUCATION
Only two of the 16 Lawrence teachers who received termination notices actually were fired; the rest either retired or resigned, the Eagle-Tribune reports.
The contractor for the new $82.8 million Somerset Berkley Regional High School began construction and ripped up a public road without obtaining the required federal permits.
Six Fall River schools that serve as polling places will also open their doors for the first day of school on Sept. 6, the day of the state primary.
Metrowest police and educators talk about keeping public schools safe. Meanwhile, college campuses in the area consider the pros and cons of arming their police forces.
HEALTH CARE
The Globe reports on a $7 arm sling that Tufts Health Plan purchased for $83.
ENERGY/ENVIRONMENT
Gloucester and the US Environmental Protection Agency modify a combined sewer overflow plan to save the city about $3 million, the Gloucester Times reports. Boston, meanwhile, agrees to a settlement with the EPA that will lead to a crackdown on leakage from sewer pipes and storm water runoff, the Globe reports.
Zoos and aquariums walk a tightrope on climate change, the New York Times reports.
MEDIA
Dan Kennedy weighs in on the Globe apology for lifting material from a column by GOP consultant Todd Domke posted on WBUR without giving attribution or credit.