GOP Sees Potential Redemption In Gustav

Politico: Officials Say Curtailed Convention Offers Opportunity For Party To Redeem Itself On The Competence Issue

(The Politico)  This story was written by Jim VandeHei and Mike Allen.

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Republican officials say their radically curtailed convention offers a big political opportunity for the party to redeem itself on the competence issue - and for John McCain to step out of President Bush’s shadow once and for all.

There's no doubt it's a bit morbid to think about (and write about) the politics of a potential natural disaster and the thoughts - and prayers - of those gathering here are keenly focused on the Americans who face potential peril in Gustav’s path. That’s true for Republicans, Democrats and members of the media alike.

But this is a national political convention and the potential political fallout of Gustav is a topic that was consuming Republican Party and McCain campaign officials on Sunday - one day before the official start of what had been planned as four days of festivities here.

“You don’t wish for it, but it shows McCain dealing with a surprise - a big event that has consequences on people,” a convention planner said. “It’s redemption for the Republican Party on the competence issue. The convention ends up being about John McCain showing the best way to serve a cause greater than yourself.”

The storm carries with it political risk, too: if the government botches the emergency response it could further erode the public’s confidence in the GOP’s governing competence.

The looming storm ravaged convention plans, forcing Bush and Vice President Cheney to cancel live speeches, Monday's schedule to largely be cancelled and the media to turn its focus to what could be another Hurricane Katrina or worse.

But, in cold political terms, this could be a very good thing for McCain. At the very least, it pulls an unpopular president and vice president away from here at a time when Democrats are ready to hit McCain with a barrage of ads and talking points linking him to Bush.

One GOP consultant on what the absence of a Bush speech means for the party: "A whole series of Obama ads now in the dumper."

Convention planners weren't thrilled with the lack of star power during the first few days anyway.

GOP leaders - and the Obama/Biden campaign as well - also are being carefully proactive to do everything possible to help the beleaguered residents of the Gulf Coast. The McCain campaign plans to write a check for hurricane relief and was making charter jets to delegates from the areas in Gustav’s projected track who need to fly home.

McCain and his new running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, flew to Mississippi on Sunday to show they are on top of things. Back here, there is talk of convention-goers raising money for victims or putting together care packages for victims - a genuinely good gesture if they do it and probably good politics, too.

“This is McCain doing the right thing, showing leadership and taking command,” the convention planner said. “He’s deciding how to handle this, and Bush is irrelevant.”

The unexpected disaster also offers the GOP a do-over on Bush's disastrous response to Katrina three years ago. If the government can do a much better job of responding to a natural disaster this time around, it can only help the GOP.

The officials would not discuss the political implications on the record. But their thinking is clear, based on not-for-attribution interviews.

The positive byproducts: No photos of Bush at the convention; an even lower Cheney profile; a chance for an unusual, dramatic charitable move at the convention that cuts against stereotypes about GOP; and the storyline becomes Gustav drama, not McCain vs. the GOP, or abortion or any other divisive issue.

Republican officials said the images from here will present a positive contrast with the celebratory Democratic convention last week in Denver. The storm could paralyze Democratic efforts to hit McCan on several fronts.

“The contrast between McCain’s responsibility and the fanatical followers in the temple of the Lord Obama won’t be lost on everyday husbands and wives trying to meet their own responsibilities,” a Republican official said.

Frank Luntz, a Republican consultant who was in the Twin Cities for the convention, warned that Gustav could hurt the party because it “reminds everyone of Katrina, which was a disaster for the GOP.”

“It doesn’t allow them to pout forward a message contrary to Obama because everyone is focused on the hurricane,” Luntz said. “Delegates were very turned on about Sarah Palin, but now they don’t get to celebrate that.”

Charles Mahtesian and Jonathan Martin contributed to this story.

[antoniof123]

Please you can''t erase years of incompence with one thing right. This is something you should have been doing from day one if you are an American.

[jerr11]

Says a lot about McCain.

Too scared to be seen next to the world''s most popular leader - G W Bush.

CHICKEN!!

LOL

[wogerwabbit]

%u201CThis is McCain doing the right thing, showing leadership and taking command,%u201D the convention planner said. %u201CHe%u2019s deciding how to handle this, and Bush is irrelevant.%u201D


Boy, the Republicans will grasp any any straw. He''s a candidate, not the president... what kind of decisions is he making that effects anything? He decided on a photo op in Mississippi is what he did... whoopdeedoo! Now there''s a leader.

[jerr11]

Of course, Gustav will become another political tool for the GOP.

The GOP are experts in using national disasters for political gain and to enrich themselves.

As evidenced by 911, after the disaster, all their personal fortunes went through the roof.

Giuliani with his endless 911 speaking tours.

Bush and Cheney with the Iraq War and the no-bid contracts!

[whitemale08]

AMERICA WILL NEVER EVER EVER NEVER EVER FORGIVE AND FORGET THE NEGLECT BY THE GOP IN KATRINA!!!!!!!!!!

JUST LIKE WE WILL NEVER EVER EVER NEVER EVER FORGIVE THE GOP FOR FAILING TO PROTECT AMERICA ON 9/11!!!!!!!!

JUST LIKE WE WILL NEVER EVER EVER EVER NEVER FORGIVE THE GOP LIES TO GO TO WAR IN IRAQ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

DOWN WITH GOP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

THE GOP HATES THE ''MIDDLE-CLASS''!!!!!!!!!!!!!

THE GOP MISUSES AND ABUSES THE TROOPS!!!!!!!!!!!

SO AGAIN, AMERICA SAYS ''DOWN DOWN DOWN THE GOP''!!!!!!!!

ONCE AND FOR ALL!!!!!!! 8 IS ENOUGH!!!!!!!!!!!

[techhere]

I''m so pleased that people KNOW what John McCain was and what John MaCain is hastly pretending to be.
Someone''s experience may show more inexperience and disabilities, and last week, a too experienced guy explained what naive means.

Are you kidding me, Guy? Another Hillary you got!

God bless Louisiana!
God bless American!
God bless America!
God bless our World!

[ukgod1]

of course they are going to get it right it is an election year (the only time the gop give 2 ******* about anyone but themselves). its all to score political points, that''s like cheating on your wife for 5 years but u decide to take it easy for a week and stay home. what does mccain want a cookie?

[jerr11]

I saw this interview.

This corpse can talk!

I was totally energized by his deadpan voice and that lump in his left cheek.

[avembe]

NOtelatu that was great
Looooooooooooooolllllllllllllll

[avembe]

Now there are elections , they feel able to handle it!!!!

GOP !!!!!just a bunch of liars!!!!!!!!!!!!
They better not mess this time!!!!
Pathetic!!!!

[ukgod1]

Thought I''''d check in to see what you demtards are b!tching about now.
McCain/Palin ''''08

Posted by luvusa at 10:42 AM : Sep 01, 2008

how dare you talk about your mother like that. us demotards aren''t talking about her tell her that we are pro choice so next time she wants to abort a wasted spermmm like you it is perfectly legal

[jerr11]

It''''s funny to read how absolutly scared you are!!!

Posted by luvusa at 10:42 AM : Sep 01, 2008


You''re darned right we''re scared ********!

A talking corpse and a squeaky Miss Congeniality.

That''s a match made in hell!

LOL

[nextgenman]

Oh, look, the Elitists only plan one bottle of Champagne for the Cotillion! Redemption!

[ukgod1]

the neo cons are so stupid its unbelievable. they elect a 72 year old crisp keeper to be president and a 44 year old MILF with 5 kids who''s kid has downs syndrome to fight terrorism,global warming, and to restore the economy back to normal. nice!

[JonIScream]

Obama''s campaign is dead, he just doesn''t know it. If you tried to creat a fictional character that would destroy his candidacy you could do better than Sarah Barracuda. The first woman President will be a Republican, not "the party of change" candidate. Dems are all about doing the same old thing and expecting different results.

[demwatcher]

Aw, it is a shame that Gustav wasn''t a strong as the Liberals hoped it would be. They wanted to see the bodies of innocent people floating in the flood waters so that they could say "See, it happened again! Vote for us to stop this insanity!"

[demwatcher]

"the neo cons are so stupid its unbelievable. they elect a 72 year old crisp keeper to be president and a 44 year old MILF with 5 kids who''''s kid has downs syndrome to fight terrorism,global warming, and to restore the economy back to normal. nice!

Posted by ukgod1 at 10:57 AM : Sep 01, 2008"

You can say that after nominating Obama?

HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!!

[nextgenman]

Just when you think the RepubliBumpkins can''t do anything else stupid, McLiverspot pick Miss Congeniality.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!

[mydiatribe]

Corruption in Lousiana Democratic politics is legendary going back at least three generations.

Hurricane Katrina was an embarassing and colossal debacle with enough blame to be shared by Federal, State and Local authorities.

Voters of New Orleans foolishly rewarded Mayor Ray Nagin with another term.
The people of Louisiana dumped their incompetent Governor. The Bush administration removed the incompetent FEMA Director. Louisiana National Guard is back from Iraq.

The Army Corps of Engineers have attended to that antiquated levy system, although more needs to be done.

It''s wonderful to see improvements have been made.
Hurricane Gustav was a challenge to these improvements.
Is there a better example of how responsible Republican Administrators are able to bring Democratic cronieism up short by making them do their jobs?

[negrovoter]

Can somebody please give me some bottled water?

[nextgenman]

So the Elitist Party thinks by cutting back on their Champagne Shindig that they have redemption?!

HAHAHAHAHAHA!

[mcvet-1]

The ENTIRE Republican Party is a FRAUD!! ROFLMAO The King Slime Dog and McSlime think people will just forget these two having Cake while N.O. floated away! ROFLMAO Not Likely!! ROFLMAO Not LIKELY at all but they have to try to make people think the care!! That''s the only thing they can do!! ROFLMAO Ahhhh but life is great sometimes... SIEG HEIL Y''all. ROFLMAO

[jculveroh]

Well the comments here really show who has brains and who does not when this hurricane is making landfall the blame game is still going on do you really think Bush was the cause for 9/11 or the poor response for Katrina you need to check your facts Clinton did nothing to deal with Al-Queda. It was on the states shoulders to call out the national guard and any other needed resources to deal with Katrina. so put that in your Obama supporting Demotalkers pipe and smoke it.

JC
Port Clinton, OH

[ukgod1]

You can say that after nominating Obama?

HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!!

ummmmmm a Harvard graduate who instead of making lots of money on wall street went to Chicago to help the middle class and and disenfranchise. and your point is?

[nextgenman]

Posted by jculveroh at 11:07 AM : Sep 01, 2008
-------

Yawn.

[mcvet-1]

Obama''''s campaign is dead, he just doesn''''t know it. If you tried to creat a fictional character that would destroy his candidacy you could do better than Sarah Barracuda. The first woman President will be a Republican, not "the party of change" candidate. Dems are all about doing the same old thing and expecting different results.

Posted by jisom001 at 10:59 AM : Sep 01, 200

LOL Now you Nazi''s have been saying this for how long?? ROFLMAO You freaks are throwing a Convention and NO ONE is coming... did you notice the Gov. of California has canceled. But hey you just keep saying that Obama is dead and the like.... Have you notice HE doesn''t have to put on some Dog and Pony Show to make people think he cares?? ROFLMAO Now stand... this may be your last chance to win that Confederate Flag Pin here! Ready?? SIEG HEIL Bush! Sieg Heil McBush!! ROFLMAO What a bunch of losers!!

[vetforobama]

mydiatribe, You couldn''t be more wrong assigning blame to the Democrates. The Army Core of Engineers had a design for the levy that would have insured that it would withstand Katrina and far worse, but BUSH cut back on funding forcing the engineers to compromise the design. BUSH''s man "Brownie" to whome he said was "doing a heck of a job" at the height of his this disaster (and I don''t mean the storm). Then the National Guard was spread thin due to the IRAQ war. Top to bottom, THIS WAS A REPUBLICAN DISASTER.

[mydiatribe]

That%u2019s all-star running back Hurricane McCain breaking out of the backfield. John has been held to small gains by those Obama linebackers. However, seems John Wayne Mc Cain in an unpredictable brilliant maneuver broke thru into open field.

Oyo! What a block ''''The Barracuda'''' laid on those Obama defenders. Devastating!

Appears now our hero John has nothing but clear daylight all the way to the end zone!

Those U of Obama backs are totally baffled by Mc Cain%u2019s ability to break their tackles every time they appear to have him outnumbered!

Instant replay will reveal Palin trails McCain keeping those Obama tacklers at bay.

Sheer symphonic teamwork; a thing of beauty to behold!

[mcvet-1]

Posted by mydiatribe at 11:03 AM : Sep 01, 2008

Oh BULL! EVERYONE with a brain KNOWs the problem with FEMA the first time was that lower than live piece of Trash a few call a President put an total Incompetent in charge then flew off to help McBush eat his birthday cake. IF you want you can pull up the picture of the two worthless pieces of Nazi trash laughing and sharing some Cake and Ice Cream while people were dying in N.O. Now lets show the Reich you still will follow the fuhrer to the bunker... ready?? SIEG HEIL BUSH!! SIEG HEIL MCSLIME!! thatta boy!!

[xlib]

No mention of the absolutely do nothing democratic establishment in NO, no mention?? As for redemption msm, seems to me your dems need a heck of a lot more redemption.
Where was the local disaster plan?? What did nagin do?? What did blanc do?

NOTHING!!! And they did nothing for purely political gain, and that''s evident.
I sure hope jefferson (D-LA)evacuated his money this time around. It would be in poor form to DEMAND Guardsmen take him to his office freezer.
REDEMPTION!

[negrovoter]

Mayor Nagin locked me out of the superdome.

Can you please give me some bottled water?

[nextgenman]

James Dobson prayed to God for rain on the Convention of the Party of Evil. God was listening.....

HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!

[nextgenman]

My family is IN the hurricane not sitting up north in Ohio making comments about how great the Republicans are while a hurricane is making landfall in 5 American states.

Posted by notelatu at 11:14 AM : Sep 01, 2008
---------

But hey, the Elite Party cut back on the champagne at their cotillion for you? Redemption!

HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!

[mcvet-1]

Well the comments here really show who has brains and who does not when this hurricane is making landfall the blame game is still going on do you really think Bush was the cause for 9/11 or the poor response for Katrina you need to check your facts Clinton did nothing to deal with Al-Queda. It was on the states shoulders to call out the national guard and any other needed resources to deal with Katrina. so put that in your Obama supporting Demotalkers pipe and smoke it.

JC
Port Clinton, OH

Posted by jculveroh at 11:07 AM : Sep 01, 2008

Yeah?? Now when the WTC was attacked on Clinton''s watch HE went after those who did the deed... guess where they are?? Yep they are keeping Big Bubba Company! Now when Al Queda Attacked us on that piece of human trash''s watch HE left them on the battle field and went off to invade a Country that had NOTHING to do with the attack. Those who were responsible for the attack on Slime Dog Bush''s Watch? Well they are in a cave in a safe haven HE created in Pakistan. REBUILT and as strong as they were BEFORE the attack on us. I don''t know how you define FAILURE but that''s the BEST example I can come up with... EVER! Now you obviously are a Trailer Dweller who hasn''t a clue what''s going on so lets do this like the Klan does!! Ready?? Put on your hood and sheet now... SIEG HEIL GRAND WIZARD!! UNBELIEVABLE!! Is it possible for ANYONE in this nation to be THIS ignorant??

[liberalme]

What I didn''t read in the above article was McCain saying ''We''re going to be Americans instead of Republicans", that made my day.

[negrovoter]

Why wont Mayor Nagin bring me some bottled water?

We are going to have to rise up and break into the WalMart soon.

[mydiatribe]

vetforobama == Plenty of blame to go around.
Ask yourself why Mayor Ray Nagin let all those school buses drown without dispatching a single one to evacuate those POOR people of New Orleans.
Ray Nagin is a corrupt Democratic Mayor!

[mcvet-1]

Those U of Obama backs are totally baffled by Mc Cain%u2019s ability to break their tackles every time they appear to have him outnumbered!

Instant replay will reveal Palin trails McCain keeping those Obama tacklers at bay.

Sheer symphonic teamwork; a thing of beauty to behold!

Posted by mydiatribe at 11:13 AM : Sep 01, 2008

Uh Huh?? LOL YOU need to seek some serious mental help Sparky!! ROFLMAO

[nextgenman]

Posted by mydiatribe at 11:18 AM : Sep 01, 2008
------

Yawn. You Republicans fail at everything you do....

HAHAHAHA!

[negrovoter]

Mr. Obama made all that money with his website.

Can you please give me 44 cents so I can have enough to buy a KFC box lunch?

[nextgenman]

The Mayor of Mayberry, Alaska....how hilarious!

[vetforobama]

jculveroh, actually Clinton attacked Al-Quida in Afganistan several times and the Republican Majority critizised the decision. If it helps you sleep at night continue to blame Clinton go ahead, but 911 happened 10 months after BUSH/CHENNEY took won the election (with 10 months of briefings) and 8 months after BUSH/CHENNEY took office.

Now BUSH/CHENNEY has deverted our attentionm from those who caused 911 in Afganistan in favor of chasing ghosts in Iraq.

[nextgenman]

Mr. Obama made all that money with his website.

Can you please give me 44 cents so I can have enough to buy a KFC box lunch?

Posted by NegroVoter at 11:19 AM : Sep 01, 2008
-------

Just ask for another stimulus welfare check from Bush.....

[mcvet-1]

NOTHING!!! And they did nothing for purely political gain, and that''''s evident.
I sure hope jefferson (D-LA)evacuated his money this time around. It would be in poor form to DEMAND Guardsmen take him to his office freezer.
REDEMPTION!

Posted by Xlib at 11:14 AM : Sep 01, 2008

Hey do yourself a favor swastika breath. Use your search engine and pull up the actions of these to Slime Puppies the last time..when people were dying in N.O. Yep they were having cake and Ice Cream! Now you can wish on your magic swastika until the end of time and THAT is NOT going to change. Sure when their party is nearly wiped out they are PLAYING like they care but Trust me, they ain''t fooling anyone who counts. You lap dogs would be liking their boots no matter so you don''t count! Ready??? Let the Fuhrer hear you down there in Texas!! SIEG HEIL BUSH! SIEG HEIL McBUSH!! ROFLMAO

[lsageinaz]

Would someone pls tell me ust how McCain''s actions have shown leadership? Really, just two good examples. Yesterday, he actually said he may make his acceptance speech from the Gulf Coast area by satellite!! (Even Bush decided to stay out of the way by sparing troubled people his presence!) The only thing McCain is doing is looking out for himself and his campaign. So much for America first. What rubbish. Pls, Repubulicans....WAKE UP.

[mydiatribe]

MCVet???-- Hey isn''t that the new Philly Steak and cheese sandwich at McDonald''s?

[mcvet-1]

The Mayor of Mayberry, Alaska....how hilarious!

Posted by nextGenMan at 11:20 AM : Sep 01, 2008

Hey but that bimbo should be down there with her Fuhrer! With those Lungs she could float for HOURS!! ROFLMAO Hey listen?? hear the crickets?? That''s the Fascist Convention... ROFLMAO

[ioweign]

McCain afraid to go to The Twin Cities and face 78 year old protesting nuns or is more like Boosh giving up golf for the troops in Itaq...

[tscc2]

These guys would exploit their own mothers for political gains. However, it is a smart move keeping the Bush/Cheney Republicans in the closet. What a disgrace!

[mcvet-1]

MCVet???-- Hey isn''''t that the new Philly Steak and cheese sandwich at McDonald''''s?

Posted by mydiatribe at 11:22 AM : Sep 01, 2008

You have got to do better than that or they''ll take your swastika away. Now I have a friend in Kentucky who works with Klan Watch. He say''s most of the Republican Leaders in that part of the country are BIG in the Klan and he might be able to get you into a Nazi Youth Camp. THEY will teach you how to develope your hate targets and how to develope and take advantage of the Wedge Issues. You should just pretend to be fascist sparky... you need to get it down RIGHT! Now lets hear ya!! SIEG HEIL McBUSH!!