Local Republicans Prepare for Delayed Convention

Despite day one of the Republian National Convention in Tampa Bay, FL being , GOP movers and shakers are preparing for a busy week, local delegates told Patch.

"Nothing has really happened so far—everything is postponed," said Vincent Reda, one of Rockland County's delegates. Reda is the county's Republican Committee Chairman, and is .

Still, local and far-flung Republicans are hashing out the nuts and bolts of the coming election. They've been convening in local eateries and bars talking politics, Reda said. Many delegates have been holding meet-ups by state.

(Some local merchants are seeing thanks to the convention, while others .)

As for Tropical Storm Isaac, it has done little so far to disrupt delegates beyond the one-day delay.

"We had a lot of rain and strong winds, but now I'm on my balcony," Reda said. "I can see people on the beach."

Reda's gusto is a familiar sentiments among fellow GOPers, who are .

Monday night, Reda and others will head to a welcoming event.

"And tomorrow, we start business," he said.

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For more Patch stories from reporters on the ground in Tampa Bay, see: