The convention is going to be gavelled in briefly this afternoon by the chairman of the GOP, the republican party. They're going to start a debt clock, which will be a theme that runs throughout the convention, and this brief session will essentially get the program underway in a pro forma status until tomorrow afternoon.

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The Republican National Convention opened briefly in pro forma status, then closed immediately, in order to get delegates and attendees out of harm's way. The convention was under threat of Hurricane Isaac.

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