Posted on 08/31/2008 8:55:35 AM PDT by paulat
ST. PAUL, Minn. — President Bush is unlikely to make it to the Republican National Convention, and Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) may deliver his acceptance speech via satellite because of the historically huge hurricane threatening New Orleans, top officials said.
Late Saturday night, the RNC was planning to issue a release announcing the formation of a "working group of representatives from each of the states in Hurricane Gustav's path. The group will ensure that all affected delegates have information and assistance in real time.
"The Affected States Working Group is led by all five state party chairs from the affected area, along with other delegation officials. The purpose of the group will be to regularly brief their delegates and convention planners, provide access to timely information and assistance, and give input on appropriate steps that can be taken from Minnesota."
Officials insisted that the convention, scheduled to open here on Monday, will go on — albeit in a more limited and sedate form — even if Hurricane Gustav stays on its projected path. New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin ordered a mandatory evacuation beginning at 8 a.m. Sunday after federal officials said Gustav could grow to a catastrophic Category 5 and hit Monday afternoon somewhere between eastern Texas and western Mississippi.
McCain made plans to travel to a threatened area of the Gulf Coast on Sunday, accompanied by his wife, Cindy, and running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin. They planned to meet Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour (R) in Jackson, Miss., aides said.
McCain was scheduled to deliver his acceptance speech Thursday but now may do so from the devastation zone if the storm hits the U.S. coast with the ferocity feared by forecasters.
[snip]
(Excerpt) Read more at politico.com ...
“I guess images of them down there to help out would be just to much to take...”
Exactly.
What kind of people do I want for President and VP?
The kind that would put their own lives and careers at stake, to do their best to help those in the path of a hurricane.
The kind who put their fellow man, the everyday Americans, first, instead of their political goals.
The Hurricane is going to have a big effect on our Nation, and the GOP Convention isn’t.
Most people, from what I have read, since Palin was chosen, have already made up their mind about who to vote for.
Cancel the GOP Convention, use the money to aid those caught in the Hurricane, and avoid all the controversy the ‘peaceful demonstrators’ (armed with feces, urines, molotov cocktails, and caltrops) want.
It might even save some lives.
“I don’t see what the problem is in New Orleans. I’ve been watching tv coverage this morning and Mayer Ray Noggin looks like he’s got it together.”
Yeah, I guess he learned something from his last mistake.
Which didn’t help those who died, but might save some lives now.
He is very impressive this time.
Exactly my point. President Bush shut down the entire airline system for several days following the attacks of 9/11/01. You don't think that screwed up the lives and plans of millions of Americans? It was for the good of the country.
That is always what national leaders should remember.
WHAT IS BEST FOR THE COUNTRY?
Just heard that he will be making a speech shortly...
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Certainly hope the phrase “GREAT JOB BROWNIE” doesn’t get
into it.....<: <: <:
Amen. I feel really bad for the people who will be out money for the convention costs, but the way the media will play this if the convention goes forward could devastate the candidates.
It would be much better to see the candidates actually “doing the work” of the American people, than partying at a time like this. And they can give their speeches remotely, if they want to. Nothing says they have to be there.
Do you think the DBM will give them enough air time to make them look good?
I stated 'based on forecasts'...shallower water will take some additional bite out of Gustav, as well. If it strengthens radically, of course; then all bets are off. The media should not be allowed to drive the agenda for the convention...that's all.
Not.
I think they should make all efforts to shorten the convention, perhaps just cut the first two days and go with Wednesday and Thursday. It may indeed be the right thing to do with the hurricane, but it probably would have been a good political idea even with no hurricane. The hurricane just provides the excuse. McCain and Palin were not going to get a bump from a bunch of speeches by old warhorses like we just saw in Denver. The only thing people will want to see are the speeches of our two candidates. And because McCain doesn’t do particularly well in big settings, have him give a “fireside chat” speech by satellite, with Palin in MN in person. The GOP may get some “credit” for doing this, but frankly, it would probably be a more effective approach, hurricane or not.
Has Bobby Jindal activated the LA National Guard yet?
As I recall, Blanco never did give the order, electing to sacfrice the huddled masses of New Orleanseans for the greater good of scoring national political points against the president.
That's when Herr Olbermann and Jerry Rivers will be re-running the Katrina footage.
I agree that Palin in front of a camera is a good thing.
However, the tax on law enforcement and similar resources that results from a convention and Presidential candidate visit may be more than is wise, given the need for these resources to help with a potential emergency.
I think that would be my approach with the media, and it clearly is a valid issue.
Agreed. Bush not being there I can understand. Jindal not being there, ditto. But the hurricane is not hitting Arizona or Alaska. Going down there will make it look like McCain is milking the storm for political purposes.
Exactly.
Sure the pundits will laud the Republicans for delaying or diluting their convention, and sure, it would normally be the right thing to do.
HOWEVER, the tens of millions of dollars in prime time advertising for four days that would be lost--that every convention produces--canNOT be replaced. Sad, but true.
Actually, I think it a smart move. It will show that the party cares.
Furthermore, McCain needs to win California and Gov. Schwartzeneggers sudden announcement last week that he would not be attending the convention where he was a scheduled speaker could be made an issue by the media. Now no one will be attending.
Sure it will.
But that 'care' CANNOT make up for four days of PRIME TIME advertising which would cost tens of millions of dollars (or more)!!
The democrats got four days of repeatedly pounding Republicans over and over in prime time.
No amount of 'care' can make up for that kind of 'in your face' prime time marketing!!!
[They should have McCain make his acceptance speech by satellite and Palin hosting the show in St. Paul - showing that she is a great surrogate.]
Perfect!
No, quite the opposite! The storm will not make landfall until Monday afternoon or evening. I am a freelance photographer who was in New Orleans a couple of days after Katrina. There is nothing anyone but the pro's can do to help. You can't get around. There's no food, water, electricity, sanitary facilities, etc. It's hard to understand just how bad the situation is for several days. By the time they've gotten it under control enough for ‘volunteers’ to be in there safely and without getting in the way of the rescuers they could have the business of the convention over, collected millions of dollars in aide and our ticket could go down and actually do something. Anything less is simply playing to the press and that ALWAYS come back to be a big time butt-biter.
The best way to decide what to do is watch the other party and the MSM. Whatever they suggest, do the opposite. I hate to be skeptical, but I know damn good and well that they will make the worst of it, regardless of how well our guys do. Might as well ignore them and let the leadership part of our party take over and do what's right for people of the storm battered area.
If it turns out that John McCain's presence in NO is absolutely necessary for some, as now, unforeseen reason he can be there in hours.
There's nothing the Dems would like more than to see us screw up our convention, evidence the horrible behavior of Michael Moore.
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