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Gustav: Risks, Rewards for GOP

Posted Sep 1, 08 7:34 AM CDT in Politics 

(Newser) – For Republicans, the challenge of Hurricane Gustav's disruption of the party convention is to use it to their advantage without looking like political opportunists, writes Susan Page in USA Today. The cancellation of today's events offers risks and rewards—on the one hand, the loss of an evening of prime-time television; on the other, the chance to position McCain as presidential and the party as compassionate.

"They're giving up a major opportunity," says Dem pollster Celinda Lake. "At the same time, they're playing for an audacious credentialing." McCain has distanced himself from Bush’s bungled Katrina response by touring the hurricane zone in advance and appraising the government’s readiness to handle the worst. But the most valuable benefit for the GOP, notes Peter Baker in the New York Times, may be President Bush—himself looking for a do-over on Katrina—pulling out of what was to be the opening night speech.

Sources USA Today, New York Times

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A stagehand vacuums the stage as preparations are underway for the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn., Sunday, Aug. 31, 2008.   (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
John McCain visits a hurricane command center with his running mate Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, in Jackson, Miss., Sunday morning, Aug. 31, 2008, as Hurricane Gustav heads to the Gulf coast.   (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia)
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For McCain and the Republicans, it’s already blown Bush and Cheney out of the convention. There was no other way to keep them away.
- Democratic consultant Bob Shrum

I'm a big believer in what is, is. - House Republican leader John Boehner on the altered plans for the Republican National Convention

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John McCain • George W. Bush • Hurricane Katrina • Republican Party • Republican National Convention • Hurricane Gustav • disaster preparedness


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