Gustav Curtails GOP Convention TAMPA (WUSF) - As the Republican National Convention opens in St. Paul, Minnesota, events are being curtailed out of respect for people in the path of Hurricane Gustav. Florida delegates cancelled a pool-side party planned Thursday and will donate the money to the American Red Cross. But, the business of the convention must still be conducted. WUSF is following events with the help of Tampa GOP delegate Greg Truax.

Truax grew up in St. Petersburg, attended Pinellas County public schools, graduated from St. Petersburg Junior College and the University of South Florida. Watching national political conventions on television started his fascination with politics.

He was chairman of Florida Gov. Charlie Crist's 2006 primary and general campaigns in Hillsborough County. Florida GOP Chairman Jim Greer selected Truax to serve as an at-large delegate for McCain.

Although he's attended other GOP conventions, this will be his first time as a delegate. The Republican National Party has agreed to seat the full Florida delegation but only half get voting rights because the state pushed up its primary.

Truax calls himself a political strategist rather than a consultant because he doesn't get paid for his campaign work. He reports that the Republican base is energized by Sen. McCain's vice presidential choice, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.

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