Gustav may take glitz out of GOP convention
| • | Hawaii's GOP delegation believes state will warm up to McCain |
By Michael Abramowitz and Robert Barnes
Washington Post
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ST. PAUL, Minn. — With Hurricane Gustav gaining power as it nears the Gulf Coast, Republicans scrambled yesterday to make contingency plans for changing the tone of their national convention, worried that televised images of a lavish celebration would provide a jarring contrast to the looming disaster.
With the political damage from Hurricane Katrina still fresh in the minds of many Republicans, the party's presumptive nominee, Sen. John McCain of Arizona, said that holding the convention while Gulf Coast residents suffer would be insensitive.
"I'm afraid ... that we may have to look at that situation, and we'll try to monitor it," he told Fox News in an interview to be aired today. "But, you know, it just wouldn't be appropriate to have a festive occasion while a near-tragedy or a terrible challenge is presented in the form of a natural disaster.
"So we're monitoring it from day to day."
Campaigning in western Pennsylvania for the first time with running mate Sarah Palin yesterday, McCain alluded briefly to the storm threat. "They need to know, and I know they know, they are in our prayers," he said.
Despite McCain's comments on Fox News, there were no indications that the convention, scheduled to open tomorrow just as Gustav is expected to make landfall, would be canceled or postponed.
McCain and Palin spent their second day together on the campaign trail yesterday, attending a rally at a minor league ballpark in Washington County, Pa., home of the Washington Wild Things.
Yesterday's events included a stop at a diner in Pittsburgh and an early evening event at Consol Energy Park, which holds about 5,000 people, making it one of McCain's bigger events.
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Hawai'i's delegation • Gov. Linda Lingle, head of the delegation • Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona • Vivian Aiona, wife of the lieutenant governor • Willes Lee of Honolulu, chairman of the Hawai'i Republican Party • Julie Lee of Honolulu, wife of Willes Lee and finance chairwoman for the state party • Jerry Coffee of 'Aiea, a retired Navy captain and former Vietnam prisoner-of-war, and now chairman of McCain's Hawai'i campaign • Susan Page of 'Aiea, wife of Jerry Coffee and a local commentator who works with nonprofits, including Kapi'olani Medical Center for Women & Children and the Heart of Africa Christian ministry program • Travis Thompson of Wailea, Republican National Committeeman for Hawai'i • Miriam Hellreich, Republican National Committeewoman for Hawai'i and finance director of Aiona's 2010 gubernatorial campaign • State Rep. Barbara Marumoto, R-19th (Wai'alae Iki, Kalani Valley, Kahala) • Marlene Hapai, member of the University of Hawai'i Board of Regents • State Rep. Kymberly Pine, R-43rd ('Ewa Beach, Iroquois Point, Pu'uloa) • State Rep. Gene Ward, R-17th (Kalama Valley, Queen's Gate, Hawai'i Kai) • Lenny Klompus of Honolulu, senior adviser for communications for Lingle • Marcia Klompus of Honolulu, member of the Aloha Stadium Authority Board • Adrienne King, attorney in Honolulu • Kathi Thomason of Kane'ohe, a former deputy state comptroller and now an accountant • Fritz Rohlfing, Honolulu attorney • William Paupe of Kailua, a retired U.S. senior foreign service officer • Timon Tran, Honolulu businessman and a minority activist How they became delegates: Seventeen delegates were elected at the state party convention in May; three are delegates as party officials. What will they do in Minneapolis-St. Paul? Delegates' duties include officially nominating McCain and Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, his vice presidential choice; approving the party's platform and any changes to the party's rules and bylaws; and providing an enthusiastic audience for the convention speakers, including Lingle, who will speak on Tuesday night. At 9 a.m. every day, the Hawai'i delegation will have a breakfast briefing to discuss the day's activities and hear from elected and party officials. The delegation will attend a welcoming reception tonight hosted by the Republican National Committee and Tuesday will join Wyoming delegates for a boat tour of the Twin Cities. Sources: Federal Election Commission, Hawaii Republican Party, the Almanac of American Politics |
