GOP Scales Down Convention Plans

As Hurricane Gustav Approaches Gulf Coast, Only Necessary Business Will Be Done On The Floor

(CBS/ AP)  John McCain tore up the script for his Republican National Convention on Sunday, ordering the cancellation of all but essential opening-day activities as Hurricane Gustav churned toward New Orleans.

"This is a time when we have to do away with our party politics and we have to act as Americans," he said as fellow Republicans converged on their convention city to nominate him for the White House.

President Bush and Vice President Cheney scrapped plans to address the convention on Monday, and McCain's campaign chartered a jet to fly delegates back to their hurricane-threatened states along the Gulf Coast. Campaign manager Rick Davis said the first-night program was being cut from seven hours to two and one half.

The hasty reordering of an event months in the making underscored not only the risk posed by Gustav, but also an intense desire by McCain and Republicans to avoid the political damage that Mr. Bush suffered from his widely criticized response to Hurricane Katrina three years ago.

The formal business of the convention includes nominating McCain for president and Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his vice presidential running mate on Wednesday. McCain's acceptance speech, set for prime time on Thursday evening, is among the most critical events of the campaign for his chances of winning the White House.

“If you go out on the convention floor and look around, the slogan of this convention, and the slogan of McCain’s campaign, is 'Country First,'" said CBS News senior political correspondent Jeff Greenfield. "That’s his whole basic argument - I put country first. Surely, by this accident of fate, McCain has a way to demonstrate what he means by postponing all the political activities here and only doing what is legally required."

McCain said he was looking forward to attending the convention but did not say when he would arrive. He spoke via satellite from St. Louis after he and Palin received a briefing on hurricane preparations in Jackson, Miss.

Campaign manager Davis told reporters inside the convention hall that the opening program on Monday would be "business only and will refrain from political rhetoric."

To help those in need, he said, "We are working with the delegations, financial people, finance committees, many other concerned individuals to do what we can to raise money for various charities that operate in the Gulf Coast region."

As for the convention schedule, he added that further adjustments would be made on a day-to-day basis.

McCain said of his briefing in Mississippi: "I'm happy to report to you that the coordination and the work that's being done at all levels appears to be excellent." He cited remaining challenges in communications and search and rescue operations, but emphasized that the response seemed to be going more smoothly than the one three years ago.

"I have every expectation that we will not see the mistakes of Katrina repeated," he said.

“I think it speaks well of McCain," said CBS News chief Washington correspondent Bob Schieffer. "He reached out and got a hold of this thing, and made sure they are focused on what they ought to be focusing on, and that is those people down on the coast.”

The Bush administration's handling of that storm contributed to a plunge in the president's approval ratings that helped the Democrats win control of Congress in 2006.

The uncertainty contrasted with a state of readiness inside the Xcel Center, a hockey arena transformed into a made-for-televison red-carpeted convention hall. Thousands of red, white and blue balloons nestled in netting high above the floor - to be released during final-night festivities if the Republicans decide to go ahead with them.

Outside, police took nine people into custody for crossing a security barrier in an anti-war march. The nine, including two women in their 70s, were charged with trespassing, according to Doug Holtz, a St. Paul police commander.

[raoul32-2009]

What''s really ironic is that some evangelical nut was praying that it would rain on the Democratic Convention.

[brianbwb-2009]

oops, meant "widen"...

[dnsallday]

Half the Republicans had already said they weren''t coming to the convention a month ago. It looks like another 25% of them have come up with a convenient excuse.
The last thing Republicans (especially those up for re-election) want to do right now is be associated with the Republicons.

[dnsallday]

Is McCain going to show up for the convention? I know he has been frantically trying to pretend he has no connection to the Republicon party.
One reason for selecting Palin, nobody knows her and is less likely to associate her with Republicons.

[credibility2]

I can imagine the criticism from the Dems were leading Repubs to show up at their convention and then Gustav makes a direct hit. And, for anyone to actually pray for the wrath of nature to happen and severely impact the Repubs convention is sick and abusing their so-called religious beliefs. Praying for anything that is the demise of others is sinful and evil, regardless of party affiliation.

[cdfoxtrot2]

Praying for anything that is the demise of others is sinful and evil, regardless of party affiliation.

Posted by Credibility2

Or maybe it''s just silly. I''m sure lots of people were praying for the end of the Bush Admin. for the past few years. But did it happen???? Noooooooooooooooooo.

[cdfoxtrot2]

Last month, a huge storm prevented McBush from going out to the Gulf, touting his oil drilling agenda.

Now, we have an enormous storm upsetting his party''s get together - the biggest event they can have, to promote their candidate.

Could this be someone on a higher level trying to tell us something? (Only evangelicals, pls. respond).

[cdfoxtrot2]

Cindy McCain said. "You know, Washington is just a quagmire. It''s a mess right now. And both of them have been serious reformers."

Funny thing, didn''t Republicans control Congress since 1994 and haven''t they held the White House for the past eight years. If Washington is a "mess", whose fault is that and why didn''t the moron-in-chief make that a priority? Why doesn''t the US(eless) media pick up on this kind of comment from REPUBLICANS and ask them tough questions when they make these kind of accusations?

[n8yvn29]

The loss of over a thousand lives due to gross negligence by Bush and Cheney has caused them to pay attention to what''s happening in New Orleans this time around. Maybe there''s something to be said for political expediency.

[hsinco-2009]

Yeah, they''re going to use that time to go condo shopping in Dubai. They want to get out of the long reach of US law enforcement!

[hsinco-2009]

What''''s really ironic is that some evangelical nut was praying that it would rain on the Democratic Convention.

Posted by raoul32 at 01:48 PM : Aug 31, 2008

That wasn''t some evangelical nut, it was a Focus on the Family evangelical nut!

[pollroller1]

The Republicans have all made their money on the backs of the taxpayers over the last 8 years. I don''t they can brain wash the Christians into voting them in for another 4 years. By the way, I don''t have anything against Christians. Some of my best friends are Christians.

[hsinco-2009]

Last month, a huge storm prevented McBush from going out to the Gulf, touting his oil drilling agenda.

Now, we have an enormous storm upsetting his party''''s get together - the biggest event they can have, to promote their candidate.

Could this be someone on a higher level trying to tell us something? (Only evangelicals, pls. respond).



Posted by cdfoxtrot2 at 02:48 PM : Aug 31, 2008

I understand that there was a 6 MILE LONG OIL SLICK at that time also. Not a good photo op when you are saying off shore drilling is clean.

[soldat44]

Best thing that could''ve happened for McCain and Palin.

[missingamerica]

Note to all States in the Union:

Should the Republicans win, reschedule your natural disasters for election years.

[kirkiii3]

Glad to see that Obama didn''t use this storm as an photo op like McLame! What good could he bring to Mississippi before the storm hits. Didn''t see him filling up any sand bags. I do remember him with Bush eating cake together for his birthday during the Katrina storm, while people drowned in Miss. and LA!

[realpatriot1]

Cindy McCain said palin has foreign policy experience because Alaska is next to Russia so she understands what were up against. Huh?

At the time the surge was announced Palin said she would support it if it were accompanied by an exit plan. Is she going to flip flop like McCain now?

[stn_sage]

This is how it appears to me:

1. In McCain''s first MAJOR decision, he picks someone who lacks the breadth of experience necessary to be VP! HIS decision-making ability absolutely STINKS!

2. GOP leadership is MORE concerned about NOT APPEARING to LOOK uncaring than they are about what might happen to the people in the Gulf Coast area!

3. The convention promised to be lackluster anyway, and they''re using the storm to ''beg out of going''!

4. Nominating Palin was a bold attempt to get HRC''s disaffected women supporters, in spite of the fact, Palin supports nearly nothing HRC stands for! Clearly, McCain & co. think HRC supporters are idiots!

5. By nominating a stealth candidate, via a stealth convention, they hope to steal the presidency again without having to discuss any of the issues, or have to be accountable for their dozens of FAILURES over the last 14 years!

6. And, if the media CONTINUES to refuse to ask them the tough questions and hold them accountable, they just might get away with it!

Finally, Americans should be disgusted, alarmed, AND insulted by this selection! Once again, we see just how little regard the GOP has for America and Americans!

[nextgenman]

Its about time Republicans started acting like Americans.

[tryhonesty]

No need for a RepubliCON convention. Big Oil and Americas Rich and Powerful have selected their dream ticket. This action just prevents less "airtime" for McSame and Palin to stray from the script and make dumb statements to the American public...

[nextgenman]

And here James Dobson was all ready to fly to Minneapolis to proclaim the Era of Jesusland - before the end times come next year.

[jmurrieta1]

You''re going a heck of a job, Bushie!

[rohink-2009]

Its about time Republicans started acting like Americans.

Posted by nextGenMan

Exactly what is your definition of an American?

[realpatriot1]

McCain must be ecstaic that Bush & Cheney have an excuse to not show up where they aren''t wanted.

They better hope the hurrican doesn''t take out the oil platforms, that would be really bad PR.

[nextgenman]

is God punishing the GOP by timing the storm this way ?

Posted by jydavis1 at 05:19 PM : Aug 31, 2008
----------

James Dobson did pray to God for rain on the convention of the Political Party of Evil. Maybe God was listening.....

[rohink-2009]

Along those lines......in other words, the Nutballs that infected the Republican party.

Posted by

There are enough nutballs to go around. They aren''t exclusive to the Republican party. The Democrats have their fair share.

[rohink-2009]

Somebody who actually cares about fellow Americans in need instead of calling the welfare loser and socialized medicine leeches.

*****

Funny, I''ve never heard that before. There are profound differences between a Democrat''s vision for their country and a Republican''s. It doesn''t make either less of an American. Nutballs excluded of course.

[brianbwb-2009]

Pretty sure the following conversation had to happen somewhere;

"Can we not have Bush and Cheney? McCain is already too closely associated with them for our own good"

"Well lets check the polls, if they don''t come, they could be perceived as not caring to support the party after all they have gained from it."

"And the democrats could spin it to say that we want to reduce the appearance of linkage. Even though they would be correct on this, we don''t want to give it to them."

"OK so we have plus, = less linkage. Minus,= the appearance of a fracture with Bush. Actually the minus is also a plus, so OK, now how do we spin it?"

"Simple, we blame it on the storm. Say it wouldn''t appear proper"

"But the storm affects thousands, our convention affects hundreds of millions, won''t the public look strange at our priorities?"

"Nah, they''re too dumb. Didn''t they buy Iraq? Besides we have that ''special event'' coming in mid October anyway, remember?"

"Oh yeah forgot. OK call the press people..."

[miamiderick]

Maybe John should just cancel his campaign, for lack of interest.

[hermitdave]

Even the republicans ain''t dumb enough to show live video of McCain hugging Crusader George on the day poor blacks might be in a Sports Stadium living better than at home according to Georges rich mother.

[broadwayphi]

Focus on the Family wanted us all to pray for rain -- for the Democratic convention.

Careful what you pray for.

My friends.

[brianbwb-2009]

Posted by broadwayphi

The irony is that they will be 1,000 miles away from the rain, and they are more "concerned" about a storm that will certainly affect tens, maybe even hundreds of thousands of people, the kind of people whom Bush''s mother doesn''t even care for, than they are about their process, which will affect 300 million people directly, and the rest of the world in time.

[brianbwb-2009]

Palin last Friday said she opposed the infamous "bridge to nowhere" when the truth is she campaigned for it, then once she got the money, skimmed off the top for "other projects".

Lying already. Folks we got a real winner here. It appears after all that she does have the experience Republicans want, corruption and prevarication.

Check the "Palin backed bridge to nowhere" link in the "Horserace" section.

[BlueInWI]

First off, I wish those in the gulf region the best of luck and hope that the hurricane drops in intensity before hitting the coast.

Second, I hope the McCain campaign won''t piggyback on this tragedy by giving his acceptance speech from the hurricane region. It is better to do what they can in St. Paul with a sensitivity to the storm.

[brianbwb-2009]

"Even the republicans ain''''t dumb enough to show live video of McCain hugging Crusader George on the day poor blacks might be in a Sports Stadium living better than at home according to Georges rich mother." Posted by hermitdave

Actually I think such a scene actually would appeal to the last bastion of their hardcore supporters, the kkk, and aryan nations, David duke, the Pats, both Buchanan and Robertson.

With McSame bringing a woman "out from the kitchen" so to speak, an demonstration of racism may be the last appeal they have.

[brianbwb-2009]

"Second, I hope the McCain campaign won''''t piggyback on this tragedy by giving his acceptance speech from the hurricane region. It is better to do what they can in St. Paul with a sensitivity to the storm." Posted by bflong

You know this is just what they are going to do. It is the reason many top GOPers are going to no-show, even though many, like "Ahnold" had planned "not to be back" long before this storm became a threat.

[racam_us]

It''s clear whose fault all of this is. We have a Democratic majority in the House. Bush/Cheney wash their hands of the whole matter.

[dudeky]

first off the lord does not work that way he is not going to rain on one party over the other.....silly people....and second mccain should have his time and not have to put it off for a storm......what can anyone do about the storm anyway????life goes on and he should not have to stop his convention....would obama have stopped his????? NO... they would have been toooooo afraid to have him anyway....all eyes are afraid of him....maybe thinking he is the christ............ NOT....but his wife has evil looks for bill and hillary...and i am not even republican......but i am afraid obama.....

[brianbwb-2009]

"It''s clear whose fault all of this is. We have a Democratic majority in the House. Bush/Cheney wash their hands of the whole matter." Posted by racam_us

Whose fault what is? That there is a storm coming to Louisiana, or the top Republicans, including Bush''s and Cheney''s unwillingness to show up to their own convention?

They can wash their hands all they want, there is not enough soap and water to wash away the blood of the innocent.

[ubrew12]

"GOP To Cut Back Convention''s First Day [due to Gustav]"

DAAMN that Dobson.

Dobson may be a Republican, but GOD''s a Democrat, doesn''t he know?

So, God gave him what he needed rather than what he wanted.

[cattlekate]

Palin last Friday said she opposed the infamous "bridge to nowhere" when the truth is she campaigned for it, then once she got the money, skimmed off the top for "other projects".

Lying already. Folks we got a real winner here. It appears after all that she does have the experience Republicans want, corruption and prevarication.

Brian: From the Anchorage paper:

.. the state is continuing to build a road on Gravina Island to an empty beach where the bridge would have gone -- because federal money for the access road, unlike the bridge money, would have otherwise been returned to the federal government......

So the Bridge money was never returned.

How odd it is, a politico with an Abuse of Power charge against her, is the VP nominee.

Same ol, same ol.

Palin is just a Beauty Queen tool for Exxon/Mobile et al.

[brnofeathers]

Hey, I''m confused. I thought we were supposed to pray that weather would interfere with last week''s convention. Did somebody mess up on the dates, or was somebody just not taking this seriously enough? ;)

[mcvet-1]

The Lord works in mysterious and inaccurate ways. Here comes the rain, 5 days too late and 1500 miles off target.

Posted by bushisadik at 06:21 PM : Aug 31, 2008

So are you saying our "Lord" screwed up? Or are YOU screwed up? My money is on YOUR simple minded fascist self! I think the "Lord" knows EXACTLY what he''s doing... I''m sure all those "Born Again" Brothers of your''s from back in the 60''s? You remember the one''s who went into our schools and under the front of "Prayer" taught that "Equal but Different was part of the Bible"! You got to wonder where their souls ended up? Could make you wonder about your own... for some reason I just don''t thing the "Lord" is going to find your excuse of following the Preacher will help YOU any more than it did them. What do you think?? Sieg Heil and Amen

[mcvet-1]

first off the lord does not work that way he is not going to rain on one party over the other.....silly people....and second mccain should have his time and not have to put it off for a storm......what can anyone do about the storm anyway????life goes on and he should not have to stop his convention....would obama have stopped his????? NO... they would have been toooooo afraid to have him anyway....all eyes are afraid of him....maybe thinking he is the christ............ NOT....but his wife has evil looks for bill and hillary...and i am not even republican......but i am afraid obama.....

Posted by dudeky at 06:20 PM : Aug 31, 2008

Man YOU are ONE sick puppy! Because I and so many other people in this nation... people like myself who have actually HEARD the cry''s of American''s fall in Combat at his side, I''m so EVIL people shouldn''t listen to me and the canidate who I think is best equipped to change the course of this nation is attacked by YOU, NOT for something he actually DID... NO something he did ONLY in your small and very uneducated Mind! PEOPLE of America we HAVE to end this!! We HAVE to learn, yet again, how to talk to each other with respect! People like this have ONLY respect for those who agree with them. THAT is about as UNAMERICAN as it gets. The problem as I see it is the willingness of these people to keep us in FAILURE for their OWN personal Hate and bigotry!!

[jmurrieta1]

Dik''s gone to an undisclosed location, and Bushit is flying round and round in AF1 hoping Ben Laden can''t see him.

[mcvet-1]

Palin is just a Beauty Queen tool for Exxon/Mobile et al.



Posted by cattlekate at 06:32 PM : Aug 31, 2008

Well of Course. You didn''t think these Corporate CEO''s who are making 400 times what we are would give up control of OUR government without a LOT of Mud and slime did you? LOL I grew up in the 60''s and I''m here to tell you folks, the ones who truly want to change the course of this Country, you ain''t seen NOTHING yet! God ain''t it fun? Pushing these nazi''s to do things they never dreamed they would do. I mean 24 YEARS after the Democrats put a woman on the ticket and THAT is a big deal?? LOL Now THAT is desperate for something to talk about...something to take attention off ONE speech... ONE speech!! LOL

[mcvet-1]

Hey, I''''m confused. I thought we were supposed to pray that weather would interfere with last week''''s convention. Did somebody mess up on the dates, or was somebody just not taking this seriously enough? ;)

Posted by brnofeathers at 06:35 PM : Aug 31, 2008

No it''s just the Weather but when you have the record of the Republican Party AND your canidate for President HAS to run from the LEADER of his party... LOL As WELL as the PARTY! LOL They are going to need all the time Possible. I''m sure that Slime Dog they call a President would have helped with the 23% but then those poor sheep would vote for Jack the Ripper if he was a member of the "Party". Sleazy bunch top to bottom in my book!!

[cattlekate]

Palin is just a Beauty Queen tool for Exxon/Mobile et al.

Posted by cattlekate at 06:32 PM : Aug 31, 2008

Well of Course. You didn''''t think these Corporate CEO''''s who are making 400 times what we are would give up control of OUR government without a LOT of Mud and slime did you? Posted by MCVet-1 at 06:43 PM : Aug 31, 2008

You grew up in the sixties, I grew up in the fifties and I guess we know too much.

But am I whacked out or not to think McCain was salivating at Beauty Queen Palin''s breasts during her introductory speech?

Dirty ol'' man! Creep.Me.Out.

[cattlekate]

Posted by brnofeathers at 06:35 PM : Aug 31, 2008

Oh yeah. Didn''t Dobson (not a reverend) ask for parishoners to pray for it to rain on Obama''s Invesco speech?

[trishab57]

CBS: President Bush and Vice President Cheney scrapped plans to address the convention on Monday, and McCain''s campaign chartered a jet to fly delegates back to their hurricane-threatened states along the Gulf Coast.

-Seem that even God is not on their side. Why don''t Repukons understand?