Katie Couric's Notebook: Political Storm
Our nation's attention is focused here on the Gulf Coast today as residents cope with Hurricane Gustav. Millions of people have moved inland, hoping and praying that what they left behind will still be there when they return. They remember all too well what happened three years ago during Katrina.
It's bad timing for Republicans who thought they'd be getting all the attention this week. Instead, only essential business is going ahead at their convention in St. Paul. For now, no pomp, no partying, no prime-time speeches. But it does give John McCain a chance to look presidential. He travelled to Mississippi to see storm preparations first hand ... and that fits his campaign theme of "country first."
Politics has to take a back seat right now. But both candidates are watching the situation very closely - and voters are watching Tthem, judging how they respond and determining who would make the better leader.