In light of Gustav’s storm path, GOP reconsiders convention type

Via CNN (h/t: ST reader MD):

WASHINGTON (CNN) — Officials with the McCain campaign and the Republican National convention are considering changing the event’s agenda as Hurricane Gustav bears down on the Gulf Coast.

Sen. John McCain’s campaign manager, Rick Davis, plans to meet with officials in charge of the party’s convention planning in Minneapolis-St. Paul on Sunday to review the latest news on Hurricane Gustav and what their options might be and then consult with the presumptive presidential nominee to determine what changes may need to be made.

“I wouldn’t call it a nightmare, but it is a very perplexing challenge,” said a GOP official planning the event.

A senior McCain source said Saturday that officials are considering turning the convention into a service event, a massive telethon to raise money for the Red Cross and other agencies to help with the hurricane.

“He wants to do something service-oriented if and when the storm hits and it’s as bad as its expected to be now,” the McCain source said.

They are also hoping to get McCain himself to a storm-affected area as soon as possible.

McCain had suggested to a Fox News interviewer that the convention could be suspended if it seemed that a festive gathering was inappropriate in light of the destruction the storm may bring. VideoWatch as the Gulf Coast prepares for Gustav »

President Bush, who is scheduled to address the convention Monday night, is making contingency plans in case the storm keeps him in Washington.

White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said there are “no schedule changes yet, but we’re making contingency plans” because of the hurricane. She said it is a “serious and scary situation,” so the White House is “closely monitoring” the storm.

A Republican official involved in convention planning said that various options are being explored, including having the president speak to Republican delegates via satellite and updating them on the storm rather than traveling to Minnesota.

As I noted in the comments when MD posted the link, I think this is a great idea.  It would still allow the convention to take place (perhaps postponed for a couple of days), emphasize on national TV that the GOP really does care about suffering fellow citizens, pump up John McCain’s “country first” creds, and drive the far left insane.  It’s a win win.

Meanwhile, take a look at who’s making sick cracks about the possiblity of the hurricane hitting NO during the GOP convention.  First up, former DNC Chair under Bill Clinton – Dan Fowler:

According to the video embedded right, Fowler, on a plane from Denver to Charlotte following the recently concluded Democratic National Convention, was joking with Rep. John Spratt (D-SC) about the timing of Hurricane Gustav potentially hitting New Orleans when the Republicans start their convention.

At least that’s what it appears he’s talking about:

“Plus they think the hurricane’s going to hit (starts laughing) New Orleans about the time they start. The timing, at least it appears now, that it’ll be there Monday. That just demonstrates God’s on our side .”

Next up? Far left darling Michael Moore:

His latest outrage occurred on MSNBC’s August 29 “Countdown with Keith Olbermann” and when he commented about the coincidental timing of an unfortunate disaster Γ’β‚¬β€œ the potential for Hurricane Gustav to make landfall at the beginning of the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn. 

“I was just thinking, this Gustav is proof that there is a God in heaven” Moore said, laughing. “To have it planned at the same time Γ’β‚¬β€œ that it would actually be on its way to New Orleans for day one of the Republican Convention, up in the Twin Cities Γ’β‚¬β€œ at the top of the Mississippi River.”

He tried to amend his remarks later, but you and I both know the score when it comes to him and the depths he’ll sink to in order to score political points against Republicans.

 

Disgusting.

 

And BTW, thoughts and prayers to all in Gustav’s path.  I hope like heck it fizzles before it has a chance to make landfall in the US, but the odds are strongly against that happening.

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