By Anjeanette Damon

Monday, Aug. 27, 2012 | 1 p.m.

GOP chairman Reince Priebus officially gaveled open the 2012 Republican National Convention today, only to immediately close it for a day-long recess.

Even though the proceedings lasted less than five minutes, groups of both Ron Paul and Mitt Romney delegates stood warily by in case either faction tried something unexpected.

“There’s an awful lot of people here,” Ron Paul delegate Carl Bunce said suspiciously just before the opening. He expected an empty room for the brief session.

“It’s politics. I’ve seen a lot of things happen,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Romney campaign ensured its whips and any delegates that actually attended the opening were ready with a counter chant if Paul supporters started one of their own.

In the end, the brief session was uneventful. Priebus’ only remarks were to criticize President Barack Obama’s “fiscal recklessness” as he started a federal debt clock that will run the length of the convention.

Paul supporters launched a brief demonstration at the back of the convention floor, which went largely unheeded. After Priebus left the stage, they waved Paul signs in front of Romney’s “We Can Do Better” slogan and chanted, “Ron Paul,” for a few moments before the television cameras.

The RNC canceled Monday’s events out of concern for tropical storm Isaac, which caused very little disruption in Tampa.

The convention is set to resume Tuesday, when Gov. Brian Sandoval will speak.