GOP announces changes to convention schedule, Trump speech dropped

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TAMPA, Fla. – Republicans will formally bestow their presidential nomination on Mitt Romney on Tuesday night, one day later than planned, officials announced Sunday as they revised the schedule for a national convention curtailed by the threat of Tropical Storm Isaac.

Romney will deliver his acceptance speech before a nationally television audience Thursday night as originally planned.

In a conference call with reporters, Romney's chief convention planner, Russ Schriefer, left open the possibility of additional schedule changes depending on the weather.

Yet he sidestepped when asked about the advisability of holding the convention if the storm makes landfall near New Orleans, as forecasts indicate it could, near the seventh anniversary of Hurricane Katrina.

The convention will formally convene on Monday but remain in session for only 10 minutes, a plan dictated by concerns that the weather in the Tampa Bay region could threaten harm to delegates and others who have converged on the city.

Formal nominations for Romney and his running mate, Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin, are slated for Tuesday at roughly the time the television networks air their evening news.

Tuesday evening's program includes remarks by Ann Romney, the candidate's wife, as well as by New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, previously announced as the keynote speaker.

Ryan will deliver his acceptance speech Wednesday evening in prime time in the eastern part of the United States, and Romney's speech dominates the final night.

Real estate tycoon Donald Trump, originally scheduled to speak on Monday, was dropped from the program in the weather-related reshuffling.