Landrieu Leaving Convention Early As Storm Approaches

By Daniel W. Reilly

(The Politico)  DENVER- As tropical storm Gustav gathers strength in the Gulf of Mexico, Louisiana Sen. Mary Landrieu is making plans to leave the Democratic convention, according to her aides.

The storm--which has the potential to be a Category 3 hurricane--is threatening Landreiu's hometown of New Orleans, nearly three years to the day after Hurricane Katrina made landfall.

Government forecasters said the target area runs from south Texas to the Florida Panhandle — including the Louisiana and Mississippi coasts devastated by Katrina. 

The storm has already caused 22 deaths in the Caribbean and is expected to gather strength in the coming days as it churns through the Gulf.