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.

[libra127]

PALIN: BA degree in journalism - U of Idaho
Wasilla, Alaska, City Council - 1992-1996 (4 years)
Wasilla, Alaska, Mayor - 1996-2002
Ran for Lt. Gov. 2002 - lost
Gov of Alaska - 2006-current, 20 months (state pop: 1/5 that of Chicago)

****************************
****************************

OBAMA: Occidental College - 2 years
Columbia U - BA degree in Political Science with a specialization in International Relations
Worked at Business International Corporation
Chicago Community Organizer - 3 years
Harvard Law School - Juris Doctor, President of Harvard Law Review (first year), Graduated Magna _Cum Laude
Lawyer - Sidley & Austin Law Firm, Chicago
U of Chicago Law School - Constitutional law teacher 12 years: Lecturer for four years (1992-1996), Senior Lecturer for eight years (1996-2004).
Wrote 2 best-selling books
Civil Rights Attorney - 1993-1996- Associate, of counsel- 1996-2004
Illinois State Senate: 1998-2004 - 3 terms
US Senate - 2004-Current; Committees: Foreign Relations, Vet Affairs, Envir and Public Works, European Affairs
Presidential Campaign - 19 months

and over 800 pieces of legislation that he''s written, sponsored, co-sponsored and voted on.

[trrrorislamb]

WHO WOULD VOTE FOR THIS FALSE PROPHET???

LOOK WHO IS PLAYING THE MUSLIM / RACE CARD,,, RACIST HUSSEIN,,,

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=OBAMA+DID I MENTION HE IS BLACK

Obama: "Whites are all racist"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=77Wzx1_r6ps

Obama quotes: What he really thinks...
OF TYPICAL WHITE PERSONS,,,

HUSSEIN KNOWS RACE BATING,,,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9tSpFUEooI

Michelle Obama Quotes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gj4oApJK2as
The Real Michelle Obama: Mistress Of Gloom & Doom
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdG8cxuAeFY&feature=related
Mark Levin puts Michelle Obama in her place
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxllLkYwrAI&feature=related

Stupid Quotes/Gaffes from Barack Obama
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BHyqtaECLI

[trrrorislamb]

Posted by homespunlady at 06:24 PM : Sep 01, 2008

ummmmm nancy,,,

it was a DEMONIC-RAT bill,,,

and it was the GOP that blocked it,,,

GOT IT,,,

[homespunlady]

Posted by trrrorislamb at 06:14 PM : Sep 01, 2008

Wasn''t it McCain that was nicknamed "Amnesty John" a bit back?

But what will ALL the BIG CORPORATIONS DO if they can''t IMPORT people that will WORK FOR NEXT TO NOTHING and wipe out or drive down the WAGES of their "uppity" long time American workers?

Can we say MORE H1B VISAS?

Then again Haliburton moved the TRILLIONS THEY have STOLEN and Cheney''s Pension to the Middle East so YOUR life WILL be crud when they SKIP OUT ON YOU oh "faithful Servant" to the "DECIDER".

[trrrorislamb]

STOP AMNESTY,,, VOTE GOP,,,

ummmm it is the DEMONIC-RATS that want to grant amnesty to illegals,,, including HUSSEIN,,,

HUSSEINs solution for illegals is to grant them amnesty and have americans learn SPANISH,,,

words out of his own mouth,,,

AMERICANS NEED TO LEARN SPANISH,,,

Obama to America--Learn Spanish
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3W7srmHLclw

Barack Obama: Your Children Should Learn To Speak Spanish
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZprtPat1Vk

HUSSEIN SUPPORTS AMNESTY TO THE FULLEST,,,

from his own website,,,

Barack Obama On Amnesty
Barack Obama supports amnesty to the fullest.
http://www.barackobamawin.com/barack-obama-amnesty.htm

[homespunlady]

How''s that WEATHER MODIFICATION program we''ve been working on since the 1950''s going?

The Chinese promised "good weather" what- 2 years before the Olympics? Are they THAT FAR AHEAD OF US?

"Convenient" that SO MANY weather "coincidences" are occurring JUST when the GOP would face SCRUTINY concerning their RECORD OF SELF-Interest OVER the common good.

SMOKE AND MIRRORS is NOW WIND AND WATER DIVERSIONS.

Next up RIGGED voting machines by the "new and improved" DIEBOLD by any other name..

[homespunlady]

Posted by republic1776 at 05:44 PM : Sep 01, 2008

If you''re addressing me - Sorry NOT all that interested in Obama - More interested in PRESERVING our CONSTITUTION. I DISTRUST people that on Day One get proven to be a LIAR and i goes DOWNHILL from there.

Ron Paul was Right about the STATE OF OUR ECONOMY living in the State of DENIAL doesn''t make it better, Hillary was right about the needs of our Health Care system your Ivory Tower NEOCONS HAVEN''T got a CLUE.

Don''t you find it in the LEAST worrisome that
McCain ADMITTED he "didn''t know about the ECONOMY,

McCain ADMITTED he DIDN''T know about Technology,

Palin ADMITTED she had NO ideas "what a Vice-President did all day.

Sheesh..let''s just defend ALL poor choices, hold NOBODY ACCOUNTABLE and empty out the prisons!

No wait, that''s what the "do as I say Not as I do NEO-CON artists party does for themselves! (remember "Scooter" Libby?)

The rest of us just get to FOOT THE BILL for their self-interested foolishness.

[mbskoczen]

Barack Obama embraced:

Terrorist Williams Ayers
Know racial bigot Louis Farrakhan
His preacher of %u201CGod Dam- American fame Rev. Wright

Sarah Palin embraced:

Her daughter

Whose values match yours?

[republic1776]

I guess you need some kind of Excuse to support your vote for Socialism.
How can you blame it on Ms. Palin?
Hillary could not control her Hillbilly Husband.
You must life like a nun.
A Socialist, Communist Nun!

[mbskoczen]

Political experience
Obama: Worked his way to the top by cultivating, pandering to and stroking the most powerful interest groups in the all-pervasive Chicago political machine, ensuring his views were aligned with the power brokers there.
Palin: Worked her way to the top by challenging, attacking and actively undermining the Republican party establishment in her native Alaska. She ran against incumbent Republicans as a candidate willing and able to clean the Augean Stables of her state''s government.

[homespunlady]

Posted by rhs648 at 04:10 PM : Sep 01, 2008

I can "relate" to the people on Jerry Springer since some of my friends, relatives and neighbors are about that DYSFUNCTIONAL but I WOULD NOT INSIST THEY BE THE VICE PRESIDENT and potentially the PRESIDENT of this Nation and "overlook" their POOR CHOICES!!

I can feel sorry for her daughter who resorted to Pregnancy either from a need to feel "comfort", get attention or lack of Knowledge and my guess is all three.

I CANNOT EXCUSE Mrs. Palin''s crass neglect or encouragement of that situation and subsequent OPPORTUNISM REGARDLESS of the CONSEQUENCES to her family!

SINCE WHEN was it a race to the BOTTOM for HOW DYSFUNCTIONAL our NEOCON PUPPET Nominees could be!

What next!!

They ALREADY have a Jerry Springer style DIVORCE BATTLE over her sister with the "Relatives" JUMPING in to throw LEGAL PUNCHES. Then we have the "great jaw dropping "reveal of an UNEXPECTED secret" all we''re missing is the threats which I''m sure will come with the NEW Attorney and Jerry Springer to sum it up with some sort of halfhearted "moral".

GREAT ENTERTAINMENT FOR THE PRURIENT but NOT ACCEPTABLE for someone tasked to LEAD our nation!

I stand by my statement. IF she CANNOT be an effective "LEADER" of Her family; WHY OVERBURDEN her with LEADING our NATION???

[republic1776]

"Here is why you need the NATIONAL and INTERNATIONAL experience of a SENATOR to be our President or VP"

Ms. Palin runs a State that boarders two countries.
What has Mr. Obama done beside "give a speech" as Ms. Clinton suggested?

[clovisbuford]

Here is why you need the NATIONAL and INTERNATIONAL experience of a SENATOR to be our President or VP:

GW Bush.
err i am an obama supporter , but I can guarrantee you the next president will be a senator no matter who wins . distorted logic in support of eitehr side does no one a favor

[clovisbuford]

Wow! 1) It is so kind to judge Palin on the basis of something her daughter may have done. Kids often do things that defy their upbringing. It is not uncommon for children to get into trouble even when they have the best upbringing. 2) Many Americans should be able to relate to Palin as a parent. Both out of wedlock births are at epidemic proportions and many people opt to live together out of wedlock and have children. 3) Perhaps you are overstepping what is considered a private family matter.
Posted by rhs648 at 04:10 PM : Sep 01, 2008
+ report abuse
actually I agree with most of this .it has little to do with running for the president , if I wanted to read the tabloid stuff , I would buy the enquirer or study republican attack odds "He is the One " "obamas terrorist ties" etc.

[clovisbuford]

I think its great tha republicans are making this a fundraiser , they should let Barbara Bush be their fundraiser in chief the grand matron . She ahs certainly shown her concern for wroking class americans , tomorrow night it can be a fund raiser for Iraq veterans , because you know the federal government doesnt have any basis in taking care of either one .. as republicans have demonstrated and made sure happened

"What I''m hearing, which is sort of scary, is they all want to stay in Texas. Everybody is so overwhelmed by the hospitality. And so many of the people in the arenas here, you know, were underprivileged anyway, this is--this is working very well for them."
%u2014 Barbara Bush, on Katrina victims sheltered at the Astrodome
"Why should we hear about body bags and deaths? It''s not relevant. So why should I waste my beautiful mind on something like that?"
%u2014 Barbara Bush, Good Morning, America, re: Iraq war. 3/19/03
look another opportunity for people on the gulf cost to improve their lives and for veterans and gold star families to improve their mind set. its win win

[barbaraf4]

"Perhaps you are overstepping what is considered a private family matter."Posted by rhs648
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Not too private if Mrs. Palin released it to the press. Personally, I would have honored my daughter''s privacy.

[rhs648]

Please tell me WHY a woman that claims to have "given birth " to FIVE babies and is SUPPOSED to be a "successful "leader" couldn''''t clue her eldest daughter in on HOW BABIES ARE MADE and WHY WE WAIT?

If you CAN''''T SUCCESSFULLY LEAD YOUR FAMILY then HOW can you be successful at the MORE INTRICATE challenges of LEADING A NATION????

Or will the GOP Spin it as a NEW POPULATION EXPANSION PLAN so we have enough KIDS to man a DOZEN WARS?

Posted by homespunlady

Wow! 1) It is so kind to judge Palin on the basis of something her daughter may have done. Kids often do things that defy their upbringing. It is not uncommon for children to get into trouble even when they have the best upbringing. 2) Many Americans should be able to relate to Palin as a parent. Both out of wedlock births are at epidemic proportions and many people opt to live together out of wedlock and have children. 3) Perhaps you are overstepping what is considered a private family matter.

[christiansin]

So Cindy McSame and Laura Bush will be speaking tonight about helping the hurricane victims, etc. I wonder why they didn''t get Barbara Bush involved?

Do we all remember when Barbara made her comment about the horrific conditions in the Astrodome following Katrina? "And so many of the people in the arena here, you know, were underprivileged anyway, so this - this is working very well for them."

Yes, and let them eat cake if they have no bread. And, if their house gets destroyed by the hurricane, they should just stay in one of their other 7 houses.

[ubrew12]

Here is why you need the NATIONAL and INTERNATIONAL experience of a SENATOR to be our President or VP:

GW Bush.

When former Texas governor Bush because president, he cut funding for a program to corral and dispose of loose nuclear weapons grade material in the former Soviet Union, which sought to keep such material out of the hands of Islamic terrorists. Bush, understanding little of national or international affairs, thought terrorism wasn''t an issue (he famously disregarded Clintons advice on Al-Qaida when he came to office).

This is understandable, of course, for a Texas governor. Its even more understandable in a governor, like Palin, who''s been looking after fewer people than the Mayor of Memphis, Tennessee.

When Obama became Senator, he immediately joined the effort to corral nuclear materials in the Soviet Union: (apparently he doesn''t want nuclear material to get into the hands of terrorists either), and travelled to the Ukraine to monitor its progress. (Bush had meekly refunded the effort AFTER 9-11 taught him a lesson in international affairs).

What lessons will Palin be learning ''on the job''??

[barbaraf4]

How convenient that a National Emergency happened requiring cutting back on the GOP Convention. This was just when we were hearing that they were short on funds to produce this circus anyway. Do you think God is a Republican?