Romney hopes Gulf Coast spared major destruction

Romney hopes Gulf Coast spared major destruction

WOLFEBORO, N.H. (AP) — Mitt Romney says his thoughts are with the path of the storm bearing down on the Gulf Coast.

But the Republican presidential contender indicated today that no thought is being given to canceling the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla.

The strengthening storm is expected to make landfall near New Orleans this week in the midst of the GOP’s convention. It’s also the five-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, which devastated much of the Gulf Coast.

Romney briefly addressed reporters this morning as he entered a high school auditorium near his New Hampshire summer home to rehearse his convention speech.

He says he hopes those in the storm’s path are “spared any major destruction.”

Asked whether he had considered canceling the convention, Romney said only, “We’ve got a great convention ahead.”