There's a Storm a Comin'

Dark clouds threaten the Republican National Convention in Tampa, but it's no politician or protestor Mitt Romney has to worry about - it's Isaac.

The tropical storm is brewing southeast of Puerto Rico, and it is on track to hit Florida around the same time tens of thousands of Republican delegates, journalists, protestors and guests descend on the gulf coast city for the party's national convention.

Tampa mayor Bob Buckhorn says rest assured. "Come on down," Buckhorn said to convention-goers. "The event is going to take place, it's going to be a great event and we're looking forward to having you." ABC's Amy Bingham has the full story. http://abcn.ws/Pd9pNo

It is too early to accurately predict the storm's path, but here's what ABC meteorologist Max Golembo has to say - "Any way you take it, it's going to be a wind and rain event in Tampa. We don't know if it's going to be damaging to Tampa, cancelling the convention or just delaying it."

Will The Occupiers Have To Take A Rain Check? - http://abcn.ws/NHKAJi

As One Storm Brews, Another Clears … a Little

Here's what embattled Missouri Congressman Todd Akin told George Stephanopoulos this morning on GMA when asked if he was in the race to stay - even if it looked like he would lose and possibly cost Republicans control of the Senate.

"Well George, I'm never going to say everything that could possibly happen. I don't know the future, but I do know this. I knew that the party voters took a look at our hearts, understood who we were, had a chance to meet us in many, many different ways and made a decision," Akin told me. "And it makes me uncomfortable to think that the party bosses are going to dictate who runs as opposed to the election process." http://abcn.ws/ReILaw

… But the Damage May Be Permanent

DNC Set to Feature Sandra Fluke Who Wrote This Via an E-mail Relayed By The Obama Campaign - "This controversy is not an accident, or a mistake, or an isolated incident," Fluke wrote. "It's a reflection of a Republican Party whose policies are dangerous for women." - http://abcn.ws/TVui2P

Ryan Declines to Explain "Forcible" Rape as Dems Attempt More Akin-izing of the GOP Ticket - The comments of Todd Akin are bringing scrutiny, goosed by Democrats and the Obama campaign, to the views on social issues of the GOP ticket. http://abcn.ws/PXCmkw

Paul Ryan Softens Anti-Abortion Stance - http://abcn.ws/O6pqY3 A Grim Forecast For The Economy - A $1.1 trillion deficit for 2012 and an unemployment rate above 8 percent for the rest of the year. And on sequestration, the Congressional Budget Office said, "such fiscal tightening will lead to economic conditions in 2013 that will probably be considered a recession."

Paul Ryan Blames Obama - http://abcn.ws/TVpc6X

The White House Blames Congressional Republicans - http://abcn.ws/QrsR7S

And Mitt Romney Gets A Shot At Actually Talking About The Economy - http://abcn.ws/Pde4iu

Too Negative: Voters Blast Obama, Romney Ads- Ask voters in the handful of swing states about the candidates' ads on the air, and many say - for right or for wrong - their rhetoric just doesn't ring true. http://abcn.ws/SlMoge

Ryan Stalls on Popularity But Biden Does No Better- An early advance in Paul Ryan's popularity fell flat in the latest ABC News/Washington Post poll, with views of the presumptive Republican vice presidential nominee stabilizing at essentially an even split. Ryan's consolation: Joe Biden does no better overall - and worse among potentially swing-voting independents. http://abcn.ws/SOvYc8

Obama Hoops-Themed Fundraisers to Net Millions-The campaign money trail for President Obama will have to accommodate for some extra height - NBA greats Michael Jordan, Vince Carter and Sheryl Swoopes join a basketball-themed dinner in Manhattan. http://abcn.ws/PXQoTk

For all ABC News convention coverage, bookmark http://abcnews.go.com/topics/news/elections/republican-convention.htm