That would be a very wise decision.

You play the hand you are dealt, right?

Bobby Jindal is going to be better prepared for this than Blanco and Nagin.

Postponed? Noooooooooooooooooooooooooo. It can't be postponed. Next week is an off week and I will avoid the mess at MPLS airport if they postpone the convention then the next travel week will be hell.

Up-ding for McCain for common sense.

But -- tens of thousands of people have hotel reservations and time off from work or are camping out in St. Paul city parks! What of them?

I have a hard time believing this. Far too many people have their rooms books, travel plans locked in, and time off from work- it's too short notice for the delegates to change their plans now.

Go forward with the convention- make Louisiana the first campaign stop the day after.

Three-day cone.

[Link: www.nhc.noaa.gov...]

priorities...nice.
good to see that some polititions do not think the world revolves around them.

If it is delayed, it will be a helluva mess

McCain needs to think carefully about this.

I know he fears that the MSM will give more attention to the hurricane, but if it ends up being not so big a deal (as most hurricanes do), then he will have caused a big rigamarole for nothing.

re: #7 Sharmuta

I have a hard time believing this. Far too many people have their rooms books, travel plans locked in, and time off from work- it's too short notice for the delegates to change their plans now.

Go forward with the convention- make Louisiana the first campaign stop the day after.

Or, just go to Louisiana, help with the cleanup, and accept the nomination while driving a dump truck to the transfer station.

Beats the shit out of the Obamassiah's acceptance speech.

McCain could even give his acceptance speech via satellite from NOLA if he really wanted to, but you can't screw over the delegates and their paid for plans at this late date.

re: #6 zombie

But -- tens of thousands of people have hotel reservations and time off from work or are camping out in St. Paul city parks! What of them?

re: #7 Sharmuta

I have a hard time believing this. Far too many people have their rooms books, travel plans locked in, and time off from work- it's too short notice for the delegates to change their plans now.

Beat ya by 3 seconds!

re: #6 zombie

even better.wstern union will make a killing wiring money to the anarchist types.(from mommy and daddy)

re: #3 Colonel Panik

So would a couple people randomly selected from the phone book!

I hate to see them cancel the convention, simply from the position of all the arrangements and reservations that have been made. It would be horrendously expensive.

Someone pointed out on another thread that Glen has posted this idea -

Instead of doing that, how about having delegates on the floor putting together relief packages, and sending a group of volunteers down afterward, with Sarah Palin in charge

[Link: www.pajamasmedia.com...]

Something along those lines might be a good happy medium.

re: #13 zombie

I was too wordy.

Would anyone delay the convention if this hurricane was aimed elsewhere say Florida, or my house on Tiki Island in Galveston?

A logistical nightmare for all involved. They need to proceed as is. You can't interrupt everything across the nation because of this.

re: #10 zombie

Yes, but the political hay that would be made from it is more important.

Partying while NO drowns?

If they postpone it a week, then I could attend. I got pals there, and can crash on their sofa. Plus, I loves me some walleye sandwiches.

re: #6 zombie

But -- tens of thousands of people have hotel reservations and time off from work or are camping out in St. Paul city parks! What of them?

I agree. One heck of a muddle and it would certainly cause a big hole in the economy of Minneapolis. I'm sure that by now the restaurants have already laid in extra supplies, every hotel room in town is booked. It would be a terribly bad idea to cancel entirely.

Alienating the delegates by canceling the convention or delaying it would upset the base and wipe out any good feelings made by the Palin pick.

Got mixed feelings about this. The GOP is developing momentum. But a party during a hurricane --while not being IN the hurricane-- might be seen to be in bad taste. Then, there's the whole logistical mess.

It's a tough call.

re: #21 MandyManners

Partying while NO drowns?

There has to be a happy medium. Otherwise the Minneapolis economy is going to take a HUGE hit.

re: #21 MandyManners

Partying while NO drowns?

That's the story they want to avoid, sure enough.

It would be in very bad taste to have a big (republican )shin dig while a politiclly sensitive area of the country was getting the shit kicked out of it.(you know the msm will show splpit screens of devestation on one side,and PARTY OVER HERE! on the other)

re: #16 galloping granny

I hate to see them cancel the convention, simply from the position of all the arrangements and reservations that have been made. It would be horrendously expensive.

Someone pointed out on another thread that Glen has posted this idea -

[Link: www.pajamasmedia.com...]

Something along those lines might be a good happy medium.

I think that is THE answer.
Republicans need to be the party of give.
the Democrats are the party of take.

The media now has cast every damn hurricane as a Rovian plot.

re: #21 MandyManners

Partying while NO drowns?

Do all parties in the world stop while NO drowns in a conundrum of its own making?

But you can be sure of one thing: There will be organized prayers at the Republican convention for those suffering. Nobody can say that about the Donks.

re: #21 MandyManners

NO won't drown this time--the storm is too far to the west

re: #11 victor_yugo

Or, just go to Louisiana, help with the cleanup, and accept the nomination while driving a dump truck to the transfer station.

Beats the shit out of the Obamassiah's acceptance speech.

re: #16 galloping granny

I hate to see them cancel the convention, simply from the position of all the arrangements and reservations that have been made. It would be horrendously expensive.

Someone pointed out on another thread that Glen has posted this idea -

[Link: www.pajamasmedia.com...]

Something along those lines might be a good happy medium.

Both are great ideas.

re: #22 rawmuse

If they postpone it a week, then I could attend. I got pals there, and can crash on their sofa. Plus, I loves me some walleye sandwiches.

But that might not even be possible to do. Plans have been made a year or more in advance. I'm sure that all of those hotels have a good chunk of their rooms booked for the following week. Cancelling an event this large at this very late date could do untold harm and it will cause very bitter feelings in MN. Not to mention all the people with plans to attend who cannot get their tickets & reservations refunded.

Pack everything up and move it to the Superdome. Then all the evil Republicans will be in harm's way.

/Michael Moore.

Oh for Pete's sake! If we hold the convention the press will attack us as partying while others suffer.

If we cancel the convention so McCain and other Republicans can focus on NOLA they will attack us as pandering.

Guess what? The msm doesn't like us. They are going to attack us no matter what we do, so we better just get used to it.

The media would have a field day with McCain partying while people mostly of color are suffering. This is a tough spot to be in since having the convention will have no direct impact on the NO situation one way or the other. But imagine the pictures the media will place side by side onscreen. Half the screen: partying and celebration. Other half of screen: devastation, destruction, and suffering of fellow Americans. You can bet the race issue will play into it big time. And Obama will be LA getting PR shots of him helping and meeting with Jindal and Nagin.

re: #32 calcajun

NO won't drown this time--the storm is too far to the west

Actually having the eye of the storm to your west is bad. This means that NO and more importantly Lake Pontchartrain will be on the dirty side....the side where the counterclockwise winds come in from over water. It is much better to have the eye East of you.

re: #16 galloping granny

From the link (updated)

Make it a telethon. Show up on Tuesday and say, "The normal festive atmosphere certainly isn't appropriate right now, but we wanted to take this opportunity to demonstrate how people can work together to solve problems without government. We think there's too much money in politics anyway, so for convention week we're not accepting donations. If you find yourself agreeing with the kinds of things we talk about on this stage, call in and make a donation to one of these fine, nonpartisan charitable organizations."

Intersperse the political speeches with little how-tos on disaster preparedness. Have live feeds from civic groups throughout the South who are hosting people fleeing the storm, saying what they need. By the end of the week, the storm should be past, and McCain's speech can be a celebration not of his candidacy, but of what people accomplished to help each other without a single dime being shuffled through Washington (and getting transmuted into a nickel en route).

Happy medium?

I'm not sure what to make of this....I wouldn't be surprised if Bobby Jindal was one of the scheduled speakers at the convention, but- understandably- he has more urgent matters to attend to in Louisiana.

I do think Louisiana is far better prepared for Gustaf than it was for Katrina, but nature's a bitch and these monsters don't give a shit who's in the governor's mansion in Baton Rouge.......

From Tim Blair:
Having already killed 71 people in the Caribbean, Hurricane Gustav is advancing on Cuba and New Orleans. Michael Moore’s view:
Gustav is proof that there is a God in heaven.
Moore, a documentarian and sociopath, is pleased because there is a chance the hurricane will overshadow the upcoming Republican National Convention.

re: #36 Sharmuta

Oh for Pete's sake! If we hold the convention the press will attack us as partying while others suffer.

If we cancel the convention so McCain and other Republicans can focus on NOLA they will attack us as pandering.

Guess what? The msm doesn't like us. They are going to attack us no matter what we do, so we better just get used to it.

Damned if we do and damned if we don't according to the msm? I wish they would report the facts and leave the editorializing to the professionals on the editorial pages.

They are talking about it on TV right now. Miller ,RNC Dir of Operations says no plans to change anything, spokesperson says watching as they go along.

re: #36 Sharmuta

that's why you cancel/post pone.to out flank the msm.

Go ahead with the convention, but make sure to remind people what NOLA is going through. The GOP is a national party, and NOLA is not the whole nation; postponing would make the party look gun shy.

But what are the anarchists going to do with all of those buckets of urine they've been hording this weekend?

I blame Bush!

re: #45 joncelli

Spot on.

re: #46 Jonn Lilyea

But what are the anarchists going to do with all of those buckets of urine they've been hording this weekend?

they would be pissed off

re: #41 Elle Plater

michael moore is a waddling,grotesque trolgledyte.

re: #33 Slumbering Behemoth

McCain shouldn't be doing anything that heavily physical, should he?

re: #39 FrogMarch

From the link (updated)

Happy medium?

That would work.

What would be far easier to do would be to show deference- make the Coast a central theme in the nightly benediction. Have McCain give his speech via satillite from NOLA. Have the post convention campaign start in NOLA.

And also- why isn't obama/biden in NOLA right now helping? Why is this on the RNC? The care so damn much to mention Katrina every chance they got during the DNC, why don't they put their money where their mouth is and go down there and help?

re: #16 galloping granny

I hate to see them cancel the convention, simply from the position of all the arrangements and reservations that have been made. It would be horrendously expensive.

Someone pointed out on another thread that Glen has posted this idea -

[Link: www.pajamasmedia.com...]

Something along those lines might be a good happy medium.

That might be doable.

re: #46 Jonn Lilyea

But what are the anarchists going to do with all of those buckets of urine they've been hording this weekend?

Organized anarchists?

re: #10 zombie

If it is delayed, it will be a helluva mess

McCain needs to think carefully about this.

I know he fears that the MSM will give more attention to the hurricane, but if it ends up being not so big a deal (as most hurricanes do), then he will have caused a big rigamarole for nothing.

This is a no win for McCain and the 'pubs.

Damned if they go on, damned if they delay. The MSM prays for situations like this.

This is giving everyone one CNN/MSNBC woodies.

re: #36 Sharmuta

Oh for Pete's sake! If we hold the convention the press will attack us as partying while others suffer.

If we cancel the convention so McCain and other Republicans can focus on NOLA they will attack us as pandering.

Guess what? The msm doesn't like us. They are going to attack us no matter what we do, so we better just get used to it.

We all know the DNC media is giddy and salivating. They know they have us. Which is why we must out-maneuver them and do what is best for us and those in the path of the hurricane. What else?

The first thing we can do is point out how giddy the democrats are regarding the upcoming destruction.

re: #44 Boondock St. Bender

that's why you cancel/post pone.to out flank the msm.

Yeah- let's f*ck over the delegates so we can out maneuver the msm. Didn't you read what I wrote? It doesn't matter what we do- they will attack us regardless.

re: #43 galloping granny

They are talking about it on TV right now. Miller ,RNC Dir of Operations says no plans to change anything, spokesperson says watching as they go along.

Thank god.

re: #37 ciaospirit

The media would have a field day with McCain partying while people mostly of color are suffering. This is a tough spot to be in since having the convention will have no direct impact on the NO situation one way or the other. But imagine the pictures the media will place side by side onscreen. Half the screen: partying and celebration. Other half of screen: devastation, destruction, and suffering of fellow Americans. You can bet the race issue will play into it big time. And Obama will be LA getting PR shots of him helping and meeting with Jindal and Nagin.

They are "people of color" by chance; they are "professional victims" by choice. They re-elected Nagin, because those who wished to better themselves took the opportunity to do so via the Katrina evacuations. Those who returned, chose to maintain their identity with a corrupt city; it was no great intellectual feat to see that Nagin would win by a wider-than-usual margin.

The New Orleans/Louisiana economy will take another hit. Why should we drag down the Minneapolis economy with it? Does everyone have to be equally miserable?

I'd consult Rove.

re: #44 Boondock St. Bender

that's why you cancel/post pone.to out flank the msm.

Not at this late date. The MSM has spent millions of dollars to set up shop, every hotel in town is booked solid, every restaurant in town has ordered in extra food - which will spoil if it is unused. To cancel on the day before the convention is to start would be a public relations disaster of EPIC proportions.

re: #50 Boondock St. Bender

michael moore is a waddling,grotesque trolgledyte.

I have invited him to my house if either storm comes my way.....I really have, sent him an e-mail this morning. Passed this on earlier and many helpful Lizards gave suggestions such as using him as a raft to row out, sand bags, a jetty.....

Why isn't obama down there?

re: #37 ciaospirit

I've always been bothered by that sort of shot - a presidential candidate can't help very much, because his security's got to be all over the place, keeping things from moving around him, and the press is everywhere, getting underfoot.

It's much better if they just take a helicopter tour and let the actual workers get on with it.

In the mean time, here are some very nice images of Sarah Palin and family ...including her breast feeding Trig.

[Link: www.mccainblogette.com...]

re: #53 Sharmuta

I think Sean Penn is on his way - with a row boat.

re: #53 Sharmuta

Have McCain give his speech via satillite from NOLA.

Wouldn't be able to get a satellite feed out of NOLA during a cat 5 (or even 3-4) hurricane. IF lanlines hold up, you could do a fiber optic feed, but thats a big IF considering you want to send people INTO the storm while people are being mandated to leave

re: #55 MandyManners

Organized anarchists?

unionized , too

re: #57 FrogMarch

during interveiws this weekend when this comes up, i would love to see some rep.with balls ask why the interveiwer looks so happy about it.

re: #58 Sharmuta

Yeah- let's f*ck over the delegates so we can out maneuver the msm. Didn't you read what I wrote? It doesn't matter what we do- they will attack us regardless.

Have the convention, MSM will split screen McCain's speech with damage on the coast. Not have the convention MSM will be wall to wall on all the business hurt by the change.

re: #60 victor_yugo

I saw Nagin on Fox news. He's unprepared as usual. Pity the poor people in New Orleans who don't evacuate.

re: #51 Dianna

McCain shouldn't be doing anything that heavily physical, should he?

He can certainly go down and meet with the displaced and that kind of thing.

re: #64 Sharmuta

Why isn't obama down there?

trust me he will be......he will join all the weathermen having their weather woodies standing in the storm.

Once they get through this, beam in Bobby Jindal to speak live from Louisiana where he can demonstrate how a competent governor has things under control.

re: #53 Sharmuta

As I said before, they wouldn't be much help. They'd mostly be in the way.

Which is why I hate that sort of photo-op. It seldom gives you something as worthwhile as Sean Penn and the red plastic cup.

re: #74 Big Steve

Why isn't he there now? Helping to prepare and evacuate people? They cared so damned much about Katrina victims- to the point damn near every speech mentioned it, so where are they now?

re: #58 Sharmuta

yes i did,but the option of postponing is less damaging then the alternative.
something can be worked out for the delegates.(and dare i mention that most of the delegates i have seen from both parties don't look as if their biggest problem in life is money)

Michael Moore and other asshole dems crow about a disaster disrupting the RNC, and then McCain shows character they could only dream of.

The stars are aligning for the USA to avoid a marxist disaster this November.

re: #38 Big Steve

I know - I grew up there and remember running away for Camille. But, if the storm is small--smaller than Katrina and moving fast, where its going won't do much to NO.

If it goes up Barataria Bay, NO is going to take it in the neck, though. That would be a one-two punch. But, the models all show it hitting in the Atchafalya Basin or even Vermilion Bay--almost 100 miles to the west. Bad news for Morgan City, Abbeville and Lafayette, but they are on a little higher ground.

re: #57 FrogMarch

The first thing we can do is point out how giddy the democrats are regarding the upcoming destruction.

The MSM magically didn't notice the left's giddiness whenever US soldiers are killed in Iraq of Afghanistan, or when increased fuel prices were starting to hurt middle and working class families (it's good for the environment) or when Tony Snow or Charelton Heston passed away. But they'll notice their being giddy over this?

Everyday, in a large civilization, there are some civilians experience tragedy and loss. By rights, a President should not crack a smile for 4 years straight.

re: #77 Sharmuta

Why isn't he there now? Helping to prepare and evacuate people? They cared so damned much about Katrina victims- to the point damn near every speech mentioned it, so where are they now?

I could have used him on the ladder earlier plyloxing my plywood up.

re: #64 Sharmuta

Why isn't obama down there?

Yeah. Why doesn't he make it CHANGE course and hit Mexico?

re: #64 Sharmuta

Why isn't obama down there?

He'll send Sean Penn.

re: #77 Sharmuta

Why isn't he there now? Helping to prepare and evacuate people? They cared so damned much about Katrina victims- to the point damn near every speech mentioned it, so where are they now?

It might ruin his manicure/$2,000 suit. Helping is for little people. You know the ones who, out of desperation, cling to religion, jobs, and guns.

/s

re: #78 Boondock St. Bender

yes i did,but the option of postponing is less damaging then the alternative.
something can be worked out for the delegates.(and dare i mention that most of the delegates i have seen from both parties don't look as if their biggest problem in life is money)

Postponing will damage the economy in MN in a huge way. It would be a nightmare. Not a matter of whether or not the delegates have enough money to cover the costs of postponing - there are all those businesses. It will not do at all. That alone might lose the election.

re: #75 JammieWearingFool

Once they get through this, beam in Bobby Jindal to speak live from Louisiana where he can demonstrate how a competent governor has things under control.

Give Bobby the Keynote on Wednesday to report.

re: #72 Perplexed
They re-elected him.
perhaps all will be better when he cries on national t.v. again.

re: #37 ciaospirit

The media would have a field day with McCain partying while people mostly of color are suffering. This is a tough spot to be in since having the convention will have no direct impact on the NO situation one way or the other. But imagine the pictures the media will place side by side onscreen. Half the screen: partying and celebration. Other half of screen: devastation, destruction, and suffering of fellow Americans. You can bet the race issue will play into it big time. And Obama will be LA getting PR shots of him helping and meeting with Jindal and Nagin.

The poor people are being taken care of, believe me. Buses, trains, and planes are leaving with people evacuating that have no other means to go. Thousands are being taken care of.
As for my family, the wife and kids are leaving in a few hours before the contra-flow.
My son and I are securing everything and then we'll leave tonight.

People are being taken care of here ---- LET THE RNC ROLL!
Just make sure we can listen on Radio.

re: #84 Big Steve

I could have used him on the ladder earlier plyloxing my plywood up.

That's above his pay-grade.

Hold the convention, but have a big collection for supplies or money.

re: #66 Balian1193

That's a bottle, not a breast.

re: #80 Shay4l

Michael Moore and other asshole dems crow about a disaster disrupting the RNC, and then McCain shows character they could only dream of.

The stars are aligning for the USA to avoid a marxist disaster this November.

From your keyboard to G_d's ears!

re: #74 Big Steve

trust me he will be......he will join all the weathermen having their weather woodies standing in the storm.

Exactly, his plane is warming up as we type.

Want to bet he 'rescues' some token family, with a 90 year old granny in a wheelchair, in his jet?

The Messiah has come!

Why doesn't Obama go down there and put up his force field to stop it as he is a God? Or, maybe he created the tornado to screw the Republicans?

re: #92 MandyManners

That's above his pay-grade.

LOL......maybe he can send Joe and we can take cover behind his hair.

re: #86 JCM

He'll send Sean Penn.

Ah, Sean Penn, our future FEMA director in an Obama Administration. With his tin cup for bailing and begging.

re: #78 Boondock St. Bender

Who is going to book them rooms and get them flights? Most of those rooms have been booked for months and may not be available in a week or two. Who is going to get them time off of work?

You cannot screw over the delegates like this. You just can't. Many of them are on their way to the Twin Cities now. Some might even already be there.

What about the arena? It's booked. It might not be available in a week or two. This is a logistical nightmare.

re: #82 Fenway_Nation

some one has to point it out.show some balls and do it live.

re: #84 Big Steve

I thought you were waiting to put the boards up?

OT, any see the Rasmussen Poll? After the convention and the Palin announcement, BHO is up by only four points. If that is accurate, the Dems have got some problems--big problems.

re: #82 Fenway_Nation

The MSM magically didn't notice the left's giddiness whenever US soldiers are killed in Iraq of Afghanistan, or when increased fuel prices were starting to hurt middle and working class families (it's good for the environment) or when Tony Snow or Charelton Heston passed away. But they'll notice their being giddy over this?

I'm not expecting the DNC/MSM to report on their own disgusting, biased, asshole behavior. Alternative media is going to have to take the
reigns.

re: #73 galloping granny

I'm not sure how that helps them, but if you think it would be good, fine.

re: #66 Balian1193

In the mean time, here are some very nice images of Sarah Palin and family ...including her breast feeding Trig.

[Link: www.mccainblogette.com...]

She's using a bottle. Time for new glasses?

re: #86 JCM

He'll send Sean Penn.

Thus giving it all the more reason to hit NOLA.

This is a tricky subject. Postponing or moving it would really mess up all the preparations and the pre-purchased travel tickets. On the other hand, the media will heavily play up the "McCain fiddling while New Orleans drowns" meme. I'm not sure what the right answer is, but I hope some very bright people are considering every angle.

re: #97 cblesz

Why doesn't Obama go down there and put up his force field to stop it as he is a God? Or, maybe he created the tornado to screw the Republicans?

He could part the waters and let the school buses drive out of NO.

Hold the convention anyway, send Johnny Mac and Sarah to do a live remote with their waders on.

re: #94 Dianna

That's a bottle, not a breast.

Are you trying to bottle up a good rumor?

re: #105 wrenchwench

She's using a bottle. Time for new glasses?

Wishful thinking, perhaps.

re: #81 calcajun

I know - I grew up there and remember running away for Camille. But, if the storm is small--smaller than Katrina and moving fast, where its going won't do much to NO.

If it goes up Barataria Bay, NO is going to take it in the neck, though. That would be a one-two punch. But, the models all show it hitting in the Atchafalya Basin or even Vermilion Bay--almost 100 miles to the west. Bad news for Morgan City, Abbeville and Lafayette, but they are on a little higher ground.

One thing that I have noticed is that hurricanes in the Gulf with heavy northward trajectories seem to take a quick turn East within a hundred miles of the coast. They never show this on the projections but it almost always happens......sort of like a major lead slider action.

re: #108 calcajun

He could part the waters and let the school buses drive out of NO.

School buses? They have air-conditioned charter buses waiting to evacuate people.

re: #88 galloping granny

That is a good point.many of the buisnasses will be hurt.but if the postponment is only for a few days,any damage will be minimised.

re: #100 Sharmuta

Who is going to book them rooms and get them flights? Most of those rooms have been booked for months and may not be available in a week or two. Who is going to get them time off of work?

You cannot screw over the delegates like this. You just can't. Many of them are on their way to the Twin Cities now. Some might even already be there.

What about the arena? It's booked. It might not be available in a week or two. This is a logistical nightmare.

Exactly! As they say - the show must go on! They will simply have to rewrite the script.

re: #102 calcajun

I thought you were waiting to put the boards up?

OT, any see the Rasmussen Poll? After the convention and the Palin announcement, BHO is up by only four points. If that is accurate, the Dems have got some problems--big problems.

Obama has little substance and the closer people get to him the less substantial he appears. He's taken to suppressing critics in Chicago and that doesn't play well in Peoria. I would be very surprised if he gets as many votes as McGovern.

re: #105 wrenchwench

She's using a bottle. Time for new glasses?

Sorry, I guess it was all in mind. LOL

re: #113 right_on_target

School buses? They have air-conditioned charter buses waiting to evacuate people.

It is interesting to note, as many of you have, the expectation in NOLA that the Federal government should rescue them. In Texas after hurricane Rita, they put together a plan that has local governments and the OIL COMPANIES working a plan. Big Oil sends tankers of Fuel toward the evacuations areas. In fact the committee that worked this was headed up by the CEO of Shell Oil.

re: #110 pre-Boomer Marine brat

Are you trying to bottle up a good rumor?

I could sense a titter amongst the ranks caused by your comment

re: #105 wrenchwench

She's using a bottle. Time for new glasses?

Are you going to nipple and dime us over every little detail?

Lines of people waiting for buses to take them out of the city grew longer Saturday and traffic grew heavier on main highways as Hurricane Gustav strengthened into a dangerous Category 4 storm on track for the Gulf Coast.

A line well over a mile long stretched in six loops through the parking lot at Union Passenger Terminal. Under a blazing sun, many led children or pushed strollers with one hand and pulled luggage with the other. Volunteers handed out bottled water, and medics were nearby in case people became heatsick.

And, of course, the whiners.

Many residents said the evacuation was more orderly than Hurricane Katrina, which struck three years ago Friday. But not everyone was happy.

Elizabeth Tell, 67, had been waiting on the corner since 6:30 a.m. for a special needs bus to take her and her dog, Lee Roy, to the station. It was three hours before the first bus arrived, completely full of people in wheelchairs.

"They're not taking care of us down here!" she shouted as the brown-and-white spotted hound mix panted inside his hip-high plastic kennel.

re: #118 Big Steve

It is interesting to note, as many of you have, the expectation in NOLA that the Federal government should rescue them. In Texas after hurricane Rita, they put together a plan that has local governments and the OIL COMPANIES working a plan. Big Oil sends tankers of Fuel toward the evacuations areas. In fact the committee that worked this was headed up by the CEO of Shell Oil.

Has Jindal called Pres. Bush yet?

re: #104 Dianna

I'm not sure how that helps them, but if you think it would be good, fine.

I wasn't saying the McCain should go to NO. Frankly, I think it would be a mistake, at least initially. I was simply responding to your comment that he shouldn't do anything so physical. John obviously does have some limitations with his arm movement, but that is from his experience in Vietnam, not his age. He's in pretty decent shape for his age.

Mother Nature is a bitch. And when a hurricane comes all you can do is prepare, unlike Nagin and his cronies. Jindal can't stop Gustav, but he can do a better job of dealing with it than the previous admin. I wonder if Obama and company are on their way down there to help out in the streets. Doubt it.

McCain just fell for a sucker's ploy. He has 'admitted' that the republicans caused Katrina, destroyed the levees, prevented the citizens from escaping NO. The media will have a field day.

re: #120 Fenway_Nation

oh dear god...here we go.....puntime on LGF....groan..

re: #97 cblesz

Why doesn't Obama go down there and put up his force field to stop it as he is a God? Or, maybe he created the tornado to screw the Republicans?

Maybe he can hold up a giant poster of his wife and scare off Gustav.

re: #119 calcajun

I could sense a titter amongst the ranks caused by your comment

Just trying to keep abreast of developments.

re: #69 sattv4u2

Oxymoron: Organized anarchists?

re: #116 Perplexed

Obama has little substance and the closer people get to him the less substantial he appears. He's taken to suppressing critics in Chicago and that doesn't play well in Peoria. I would be very surprised if he gets as many votes as McGovern.

From your keyboard to G_d's ears.

/I'm getting sick of typing that. I propose FYK2GE

It might cost a lot to move the convention but the Republicans have no other choice.

What happened during Katrina in NO was largely a failure of local and state governments. If you look at the response of the Federal government it was actually pretty good.

But the television coverage of Bush doing something else with the split screen of the mess in NO linked the disaster to Bush. Was it fair, no, but it was the first time such a tactic was used by the MSM and it worked very well. The Republicans would be fools to fall into that trap again.

re: #126 Boondock St. Bender

oh dear god...here we go.....puntime on LGF....groan..

I LOVE it!

re: #122 MandyManners

Has Jindal called Pres. Bush yet?

I think Jindal declared a state of emergency late Thursday or early Friday.

Isn't President Bush speaking at the convention? Is he still not the President? What he should do is say in his speech that he's going to NOLA to help Gov. Jindal. That would certainly help nip it in the bud.

re: #125 pat

McCain just fell for a sucker's ploy. He has 'admitted' that the republicans caused Katrina, destroyed the levees, prevented the citizens from escaping NO. The media will have a field day.

Where do you get that outrageous statement from?

re: #120 Fenway_Nation

Are you going to nipple and dime us over every little detail?

Not but we will go tit for tat, during the argument.

re: #121 ciaospirit

Elizabeth Tell, 67, had been waiting on the corner since 6:30 a.m. for a special needs bus to take her and her dog, Lee Roy, to the station. It was three hours before the first bus arrived, completely full of people in wheelchairs.

"They're not taking care of us down here!" she shouted as the brown-and-white spotted hound mix panted inside his hip-high plastic kennel.

Lady, I know you're getting old, but you should first look in the mirror for any help you're going to get. Then if outside help does arrive then you'll be thankful for that outside help.

re: #109 rawmuse

Hold the convention anyway, send Johnny Mac and Sarah to do a live remote with their waders on.

This is whay I have been thinking also. If necessary, John and Sarah can be there in hours by air, and can be photographed with Jindal coordinating relief efforts. They can then fly up for their acceptance speeches.

re: #121 ciaospirit

What?! no limo or air conditioned carrier for the dog?!
i would just be glad someone showed up at all.

Wind probabilities from current forecast

Upper level wind shear could help

All important: Water temperatures note that the loop current has extended into the gulf, which is a bit ominous.

Latest forecast:

WTNT62 KNHC 301718
TCUAT2
HURRICANE GUSTAV TROPICAL CYCLONE UPDATE
NWS TPC/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL AL072008
120 PM EDT SAT AUG 30 2008

DATA FROM AN AIR FORCE RECONNAISSANCE AIRCRAFT INDICATE THAT
GUSTAV HAS CONTINUED TO STRENGTHEN AND NOW HAS MAXIMUM WINDS
NEAR 145 MPH...230 KM/HR WITH HIGHER GUSTS. THIS MAKES GUSTAV AN
EXTREMELY DANGEROUS CATEGORY FOUR HURRICANE ON THE SAFFIR-SIMPSON
HURRICANE SCALE. A SPECIAL ADVISORY WILL BE ISSUED AT ABOUT 200 PM
EDT TO MODIFY THE INITIAL AND FORECAST INTENSITIES. THE SPECIAL
PUBLIC ADVISORY WILL TAKE THE PLACE OF THE INTERMEDIATE PUBLIC
ADVISORY PREVIOUSLY SCHEDULED FOR THAT TIME.

$$
FORECASTER KNABB

re: #125 pat

McCain just fell for a sucker's ploy. He has 'admitted' that the republicans caused Katrina, destroyed the levees, prevented the citizens from escaping NO. The media will have a field day.

huh ? where ? how do you extrapolate that from "“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,” ?

re: #127 JammieWearingFool

Maybe he can hold up a giant poster of his wife and scare off Gustav.

ah.....lets give wife looks a pass here. Michelle is fine in my opinion. re: #136 JCM

Not but we will go tit for tat, during the argument.

ok lets just bust this up

re: #125 pat

McCain just fell for a sucker's ploy. He has 'admitted' that the republicans caused Katrina, destroyed the levees, prevented the citizens from escaping NO. The media will have a field day.

where?

re: #136 JCM

Not but we will go tit for tat, during the argument.

Boondock is praying that we don't milk this one.

re: #144 pre-Boomer Marine brat

Boondock is praying that we don't milk this one.

Fine I agree to nip it in the bud.

re: #135 galloping granny

The meme that the GOP should be particularly sensitive to Gustov has been on CNN for 4 dyas or so, McCain fell for it. Katrina was a massive failure of a corrupt Democratic machine. The response should be to point that out.

Isn't BHussein supposed to "part the waters and pacify the winds" ? send him down there.

The same moron runs NewOrleans as before-- old Nagin. Has he run to Houston again ahead of the storm to leave the town and its people to the ravages of bum levees?(bum levees because HE used the money sent to him to fix the levees to grease the wheels of politics with his corrupt cronies!)
Has Nagin left all the busses in a cesspool oil slick so that he can blame the Republicans of ruining his city and killing all the blacks on purpose?

Well, since Cuba is being hit by Gustav now, I figure Obama will be heading there for relief efforts.

re: #112 Big Steve

I've seen that, too. Katrina did the same thing. The eye was aimed right at NO, but it skewed east over Lake Borgne and went between Slidell and Waveland. Of the two communities, Waveland was utterly destroyed.

I was there last year and driving down from Highway 90 to the beach, I could only think that this is what the land looked like 200 years ago--there was nothing there where whole neighborhoods had been.

If this thing stays at a Cat 4 and goes up even through Terrbonne Bay, it's going to be a bad week.
Time to pray gang.

days

Isn't there also a political problem in that the hurricane will steal from the media coverage of the convention?

This completely sucks no matter how the RNC plays it.

re: #86 JCM

He'll send Sean Penn.

Tell Sean not to forget his red dixie cup.

re: #131 jester6

It might cost a lot to move the convention but the Republicans have no other choice.

What happened during Katrina in NO was largely a failure of local and state governments. If you look at the response of the Federal government it was actually pretty good.

But the television coverage of Bush doing something else with the split screen of the mess in NO linked the disaster to Bush. Was it fair, no, but it was the first time such a tactic was used by the MSM and it worked very well. The Republicans would be fools to fall into that trap again.

They are not going to fall into that trap. For one thing, Bobby Jindal has already ordered evacuations and those are proceeding apace. Federal funds are already arriving. The entire Louisiana National Guard has been called up and a combat battalion is arriving in New Orleans tonight to protect property. Everything humanly possible is being done to prepare the areas where the hurricane may hit. And to all appearances the Feds simply will not allow a repeat of Katrina.

To devastate the economy of MN by canceling the convention would be an epic disaster.

re: #146 pat

The meme that the GOP should be particularly sensitive to Gustov has been on CNN for 4 dyas or so, McCain fell for it. Katrina was a massive failure of a corrupt Democratic machine. The response should be to point that out.

thats one hell of a leap from what he said to what you posted !

re: #122 MandyManners

Has Jindal called Pres. Bush yet?

Yes. And Bush and Jindal have already got the boots on the ground down there

re: #151 JohnAdams

Isn't there also a political problem in that the hurricane will steal from the media coverage of the convention?

I suppose either way, there will be a reprise of Bush's failure to prepare NO for Katrina as well as a regurgitation of conspiracy stories.

re: #142 Big Steve

ah.....lets give wife looks a pass here. Michelle is fine in my opinion.

Except for being so damned angry all the time.

re: #156 calcajun

Yes. And Bush and Jindal have already got the boots on the ground down there

Ya think the MSM will compare the correct actions by a Republican governor compared to the failure of Blanco?

re: #136 JCM

Give us a break. We're just trying to keep a breast of current events--which is no lactating matter.

re: #158 victor_yugo

Except for being so damned angry all the time.

she pissed someone made her kid hold an American Flag?

re: #146 pat

I agree.

Does canceling the convention stop the hurricane?
Does canceling the convention save lives?
Does canceling the convention save anyone's house?

Or is canceling the convention a logistical nightmare for us that plays into the msm's hands? Not only would they still beat up republicans over Katrina, they would be more than happy to see pissed off republican delegates and not have to cover the convention.

I say NO to a delay.

re: #110 pre-Boomer Marine brat

Are you trying to bottle up a good rumor?

That's the Dems move. You saw, didn't you, that some Kos diarist is claiming the baby isn't Sarah Palin's, but one of her daughters'?

Ever since BO went body surfing this campaign has expertly stayed within the opposition's OODA loop and has successfully turned every dem feint back against them. Now, there's a wrinkle thrown in that nobody could have planned for, and how the GOP handles it will be a test of this campaign's true abilities. I'm no expert, but I hope McCain's people will ask themselves "What would normal people do?" And then do it. Because asking that question and acting on the answer are exactly what Obama's people do not do.

re: #159 Shay4l

Ya think the MSM will compare the correct actions by a Republican governor compared to the failure of Blanco?

Ya think the flying monkeys will save Jupiter ? (same odds ! )

Fibonacci numbers were involved in the design of breasts at some point.

re: #124 leboaz

Mother Nature is a bitch. And when a hurricane comes all you can do is prepare, unlike Nagin and his cronies. Jindal can't stop Gustav, but he can do a better job of dealing with it than the previous admin. I wonder if Obama and company are on their way down there to help out in the streets. Doubt it.

Well, he (Osbama) did not visit our wounded in Germany when he had the chance why should he then visit civilians that are in potential danger and what would be the point in doing so anyways - maybe stand on the side of the road and wave to those leaving the area?

I don't think they should postpone btw.

re: #161 sattv4u2

she pissed someone made her kid hold an American Flag?

Probably that, too.

re: #157 pat

I suppose either way, there will be a reprise of Bush's failure to prepare NO for Katrina as well as a regurgitation of conspiracy stories.

Yup. And if McCain is seen rejoicing in Minnesota while people are picking through the wreckage in Louisiana, the Katrina virus will infect McCain too. This is just bad timing, but much more importantly it's just bad. A bad, bad storm and a lot of people are going to suffer. Looks like a Cat 5 very soon from the weather reports I've read.

re: #155 sattv4u2

thats one hell of a leap from what he said to what you posted !

We shall see how it plays. I think th MSM has been setting up McCain for the 'apology' trap. "McCain needs to be particularly sensitive because of the failure of Bush and his administration in the Katrina disaster."

I vote for no postponement

re: #168 Thanos

I don't think they should postpone btw.

I agree, but with proper defference and updates. Also, the idea of setting up a phone line for donations someone else made is great

re: #162 Sharmuta

Why thank you.

re: #146 pat

The meme that the GOP should be particularly sensitive to Gustov has been on CNN for 4 dyas or so, McCain fell for it. Katrina was a massive failure of a corrupt Democratic machine. The response should be to point that out.

No it shouldn't. I agree that it is the corrupt and lackadaisical government of Louisiana that is to blame for the Katrina disaster, but it is the sitting Republican White House that has been blamed. They are moving heaven and earth to get things right this time.

McCain didn't fall for anything. It would be pretty outrageous for the Republicans to continue on as planned in the face of disaster. But it would be disaster to completely cancel too.

The msm & obama are the only ones who gain from a delay. Stopping the convention will not help save anyone.

Sen. McCain:

As your Advisor-At-Large, you heeded my doubtless wisdom :P and hit one out of the park with the veep choice.

Listen to me again, Senator.

This race comes down to tactics and you must continue to perform in an unconventional fashion (no pun intended).

Postpone it.

-WFH

re: #167 piglet-u93

Obama and his entourage would get in the way of the professionals providing real relief to the hurricane victims. Bush stayed away for the same reason and the msm vilified him for it.

re: #163 Dianna

That's the Dems move. You saw, didn't you, that some Kos diarist is claiming the baby isn't Sarah Palin's, but one of her daughters'?

EEEK! I was just pulling your tail (and managed to start a short-lived pun-attack in the process.)

Yes. I know. Hot Air has debunked it. Frog March posted a link (on the just-prior thread, I think.)

re: #171 pat

We shall see how it plays. I think th MSM has been setting up McCain for the 'apology' trap. "McCain needs to be particularly sensitive because of the failure of Bush and his administration in the Katrina disaster."

I agree about that. But thats NOT what you posted. You originally stated that McCain "admitted" Republican culpability in Katrina

re: #146 pat

In reality the local and state governments failed during Katrina. The Fed response was good and would have been better had the locals not been so bad.

But the Bush Administration got tagged for the poor response. This battle was lost three years ago when the Republicans did not tear into Blanco and Nagin at the time this was happening.

re: #159 Shay4l

Ya think the MSM will compare the correct actions by a Republican governor compared to the failure of Blanco?

Nope.
I have been defending FEMA for its response for three years (what they did after they got there still rankles me) But FEMA is geared to move into a disaster area 72 hours after the event. The storm passed NOLA on 8/29/05. FEMA moved in on 9/1--when it was supposed to. Until then, the LANG and the NOPD were to keep order. I know the NOPD and any plan that relied on them to keep order is like relying on the French to stop the Germans. What happened in that 72 hours was a systemic failure for a disaster which no one had even remotely planned or was remotely prepared.

This time, I think the City, Parish (that's we call our counties) State and Federal governments are prepared to the point of overkill. And that is a good thing.

re: #124 leboaz

Mother Nature is a bitch. And when a hurricane comes all you can do is prepare, unlike Nagin and his cronies. Jindal can't stop Gustav, but he can do a better job of dealing with it than the previous admin. I wonder if Obama and company are on their way down there to help out in the streets. Doubt it.

When Katrina hit, the local parishes [counties] were on their own. Now all the parishes are coordinating thru the state. The evacuation is layered to prevent bottle-necks.
1500 fresh LaNG in Orleans Parish area alone.

Mandatory evacuations have been announced. If anyone doesn't heed the evacuation they are on their own [no whining later]. There won't be any rescues DURING the storm.

re: #176 Sharmuta

ditto

re: #123 galloping granny

I was actually thinking of his injuries.

But I don't see how McCain's presence, and all it entails, would help, or do anything except interfere with and exasperate people with jobs to do. And, though Obama would receive rapturous coverage if he filled one token sandbag, the press would show all the chaos surrounding McCain.

This one's not winnable. McCain should go to the convention and speak about hurricane relief. No more.

re: #181 jester6

yup, and if attacked on it, the straight talk express should meet the critism head on. FEMA only has oneline of first responders, the Coast Guard, and they were outstanding

re: #185 Dianna
The Prez, VP, Nominees, any people not directly involved in preparing for disaster need to stay the HELL out of the professionals way. IOW stay out of LA.

re: #177 wong fei hung

Sen. McCain:

As your Advisor-At-Large, you heeded my doubtless wisdom :P and hit one out of the park with the veep choice.

Listen to me again, Senator.

This race comes down to tactics and you must continue to perform in an unconventional fashion (no pun intended).

Postpone it.

-WFH

He will lose Minnesota if he cancels it.

Delaying the convention is a logistical nightmare, people.

There is nothing to gain from this. McCain and Palin can go to NOLA after the convention to help people. The storm will not have passed until after the convention anyways.

You want the convention to be going on during the clean-up?! Hold the convention now, and after the convention is over the storm will also be over. Then we can show how republicans chip in to help.

re: #183 right_on_target

Mandatory evacuations have been announced. If anyone doesn't heed the evacuation they are on their own [no whining later]. There won't be any rescues DURING the storm.

Think we're still going to get some holdouts who insist they can ride out the storm and maybe hold a 'hurricane party' and have over some guests?

OT Utah is beating the snot out of Michigan 25-10. Mwahaha!

Coming from earthquake and tidal wave country (Alaska) and now living in Tornado country, I don't have a heck of a lot of sympathy for folks who don't get out of the way when they have a great deal of warning before a natural disaster.

That said perhaps you will understand when I say that sensitivity to the Hurricane is needed, but taking up a lot of resource and/or time for it at the convention isn't a good idea to me.

re: #190 Fenway_Nation
Yep. You always get some knotheads who know better than the pros.

re: #185 Dianna

I was actually thinking of his injuries.

But I don't see how McCain's presence, and all it entails, would help, or do anything except interfere with and exasperate people with jobs to do. And, though Obama would receive rapturous coverage if he filled one token sandbag, the press would show all the chaos surrounding McCain.

This one's not winnable. McCain should go to the convention and speak about hurricane relief. No more.

Oh I don't disagree with you at all Dianna. I think it would be an absolute disaster to either cancel or postpose the convention. Change the tone, add some sort of activity like raising money or packing stuff for the refugess, but for heaven's sake don't devastate the economy of MN on top of the damage that will be done by the hurricane.

When it is over he and Sarah can fly in for an inspection tour and get out so people can get on with picking up the pieces.

The Katrina card is a flimsy construct anyway. While it has a great deal of power in the card deck on the left, to the average Americans who will be voting for McCain it's just another joker in the deck. Katrina's been overplayed for three years, it's time to trump it.

re: #186 pat

McCain should be ready to attack... but he also must be cold and calculating.

The potential downside of having the convention next week is much greater than any potential upside. The only people who worry about pandering a zealots on either side. The folks in the middle, the ones when might change their mind, will see this as a prudent move.

re: #91 right_on_target
Best of luck.

re: #6 zombie

But -- tens of thousands of people have hotel reservations and time off from work or are camping out in St. Paul city parks! What of them?

Its a cruel plot against the nutroots lefties. some of them will be bankrupt by the time they convene it. Eating McD's will do that to em.

re: #179 pre-Boomer Marine brat

Oh, it was a non-starter anyway. It made me mad enough to spit when I read it, though.

So stupid, and so nasty.

Downtick away, people.

Postponing the RNC:

*Prevents the libs from arguing that the RNC partied it up while people suffered.

*Allows Jindal to speak and contrast the job his government did with Gustav, as opposed to the calamitous performance of former Gov. Blanco (D).

*Allows more attention on the entire event, namely Gov. Palin.

It's a no-brainer. McCain is on MSM turf. The Demoncats are WAITING to pounce on anything that makes the Republicans look like they don't care a whit about the little guy. The Obamites will say "we never would have held our convention under these circumstances" and plenty of schmucks will believe them. Don't give them the opportunity.

-WFH

Having lived through a number of hurricanes and Nor'Easters in my 70 years? My 2¢ say that the convention being held if Gustav hits as a 4 or 5? Airports, rail, all transportation would have to cancel departures and arrivals. Power will be lost, food will soon spoil, and potable water would also be an issue.

Housing the delegates would be a tremendous burden, even in the Twin Cities...First Responders from all over would be going to where they are needed, and it is more than likely that many delegates and workers will, indeed be First Responders. Ours have left yesterday, and more will be deployed if needed.

And the people already being taken to higher ground need all the help they can get. Many have already left. FEMA is on the ground.

Please read all of what Charles posted, and see that a mensch Senator McCain is...he shows all the Demonrats combined up.

/Don't shoot me! I am old! ;)

re: #134 Sharmuta

Isn't President Bush speaking at the convention? Is he still not the President? What he should do is say in his speech that he's going to NOLA to help Gov. Jindal. That would certainly help nip it in the bud.

Or GW could give his "speech" from NO with Jindal at his side as they deal with the hurricane, while they use the convention as a means of organizing a HUGE aid effort making care packages, etc, which will let everyone at the convention be a helper and, like someone earlier said, show that the RNC is about giving and the DNC is about taking.
And prevent a catastrophic hit to MN.

re: #198 JeremyR

Its a cruel plot against the nutroots lefties. some of them will be bankrupt by the time they convene it. Eating McD's will do that to em.

*Tsk* McD's is only for those elitist 'Dollar Menuaires'

re: #146 pat

The meme that the GOP should be particularly sensitive to Gustov has been on CNN for 4 dyas or so, McCain fell for it. Katrina was a massive failure of a corrupt Democratic machine. The response should be to point that out.

Sure. But who is going to point it out? the DNC/MSM?

re: #159 Shay4l

not likely, sad to say.

re: #142 Big Steve

ok lets just bust this up

no reason to make mountains out of milehills.

The logistics for any event the size of the convention are immense. The security is there, everything is set. Go ahead and have it. Just be aware of how the msm is gonna spin it and be ready. It is a no win situation. If you postpone it puts people who've had to take time from work, the security set up, and all that in a bind.

Delaying the convention now means the convention takes place during clean-up as opposed to during the storm.

Delaying the convention creates a logistical nightmare. According to the Excel Energy Center calendar of events, the arena will be hosting hockey on the 24th. They have to have time to convert the arena back to a sports facility. There is no time for the convention to be held later. This isn't even including hotel rooms, flights and work shcedules of the delegates.

Then there is the previously mentioned fact we'd be holding the convention during clean-up which is what some of you are saying we shouldn't do. Hello! Have the convention now while the storm is raging. After the convention when the storm is over- go and help.

We can't win with the msm so why try to play by their rules? They're stacked against us. We should hold our convention then shut the msm up by heading to Louisiana the next day.

The Dems are giddy - it's going to ruin the GOP convention. They are soooo excited!

Katrina was a gift from God to the Dems (right, Moore?). The Dems and their accomplises in the DNC media used it to propagandize that Bush hates Black people, that Bush actually created the hurricane, that hurricanes have never occurred before - not until the Bush presidency, that global warming caused Katrina and if Bush had only signed Kyoto...blah blah blah bullshit bullshit bullshit... Even though the local Democrat controlled administration in Louisiana screwed up royal - Bush got the blame for everything. Now the Dems clearly desire a Katrina replay - and is there no doubt - they do. Only problem is - this time I guarantee the folks will see is as a disgusting cynical ploy. The Dems will turn a hurricane into their stunt and it will backfire.

re: #200 wong fei hung

So we should party it up while people are cleaning up debris?

re: #196 jester6

McCain should be ready to attack... but he also must be cold and calculating.

The potential downside of having the convention next week is much greater than any potential upside. The only people who worry about pandering a zealots on either side. The folks in the middle, the ones when might change their mind, will see this as a prudent move.

No, I don't think they will. Certainly the good people of MN who have spent millions of dollars preparing for the convention will not see canceling the convention as a wise move. I say again - this will cost him the entire state of MN.

re: #210 Sharmuta

So we should party it up while people are cleaning up debris?

WONG is saying POSTPONE it

WFH, good points all -- but most of the acrimony didn't occur during the hurricane, but in the weeks following. If it's a non event, e.g. it misses N.O. and comes in at cat 1 and the convention is postponed then everyone will be WTF'ing and second guessing. It's going to happen regardless, natural disasters happen in America, people cope with them. The left makes them theater.

Anybody who thinks the msm will play nice with us if we cancel/delay the convention is kidding themselves.

re: #207 pingjockey

The logistics for any event the size of the convention are immense. The security is there, everything is set. Go ahead and have it. Just be aware of how the msm is gonna spin it and be ready. It is a no win situation. If you postpone it puts people who've had to take time from work, the security set up, and all that in a bind.

The MSM is going to spin it to the 9's no matter what they do. If they cancel it will be a complete PR disaster and will cost him MN - and maybe the election. If they don't cancel they run the risk of being seen to fiddle while Rome burns.

The upside is that if they handle this well it will be a HUGE plus for McCain/Palin.

re: #203 Fenway_Nation

I can get a small coke and fries with 3 double cheeseburgers for $5.50 under the dollar menu. It is a pretty good deal.

re: #212 sattv4u2

WONG is saying POSTPONE it

Postponing it means we are partying while people are cleaning up debris.

Have it now- before the storm. Go help clean up after the convention.

Time to go hit the store. Hopefully, everybody with sugared-up little kids and screaming babies will be home by now.

Kid meltdowns shred my nerves.

re: #217 Sharmuta

Postponing it means we are partying while people are cleaning up debris.

Have it now- before the storm. Go help clean up after the convention.

how does POSTPONE = PARTY?

re: #214 Sharmuta
Correct. Either way, 1) Repubs party during disaster, 2) Repubs party during disaster clean up. That is how the msm will spin it.

re: #212 sattv4u2

WONG is saying POSTPONE it

That does not make WONG WIGHT. WONG is wrong.

re: #219 sattv4u2

Have you read this thread?

The New Orleans/Louisiana economy will take another hit. Why should we drag down the Minneapolis economy with it? Does everyone have to be equally miserable?

Why are we considering advocating a Communist (ergo MSM) talking point?

re: #222 Sharmuta

Have you read this thread?

have you read your posts?

re: #221 galloping granny

That does not make WONG WIGHT. WONG is wrong.

groan

re: #220 pingjockey

Correct. Either way, 1) Repubs party during disaster, 2) Repubs party during disaster clean up. That is how the msm will spin it.

Exactly! The better route is to have the convention now, and head down after the storm to assist with clean-up.

BTW, Mort Kondracke is a freaking dildo.  Just watching Beltway Boys and he slammed Palin pick.  She's not qualified!  Wha?  How is freaking Obama?  He says Obama has spent the last 18 months thinking and debating.  Oh, so that makes HIM qualified?

re: #216 chicagodudewhotrades

I can get a small coke and fries with 3 double cheeseburgers for $5.50 under the dollar menu. It is a pretty good deal.

It first dawned on me that Oregon had no sales tax when I got a bite to eat at the Wendy's @ Portland International Airport. The 99 cent menu became the $1.09 menu inside the airport, but I realized even with the markup, it was cheaper than back home since there was no sales tax.

/Dave Thomasanomics

re: #219 sattv4u2

how does POSTPONE = PARTY?

It simply may not be possible to postpone it. All of the media is already there. They have spent millions to be there and they have somewhere else to be. The hotels are all booked solid for the convention, but they also have reservations for after the convention has left town. The restaurants have already taken delivery of extra food - most of it fresh - that would go to waste. Extra security has been hired.

This isn't like a dinner reservation that you can simply move off for a few days.

re: #197 LongRange308
Thanx. Need plenty of LUCK right now.

re: #32 calcajun

I do not understand why Louisiana has not hired some Dutch engineering firms by now.

re: #210 Sharmuta

I'm thrilled about the Palin pick and excited for Conservatives. But my heart, mind and attention will be primarily in and on the Gulf Coast. I wager plenty of other people will feel the same. And you can bet that's where the front page headlines will be too.

So by all means, have at next week.

-WFH

Who needs a party now anyway, I am set. Sarah freaking rocks.

re: #224 sattv4u2

Yes- I know exactly what I've said, but you seem to have missed the msm meme that our convention is "republicans partying while others suffer".

I think the msm would love to skip our convention. They must be really pissed obama's not kicking McCain's ass and are beside themselves over Palin.

re: #226 Sharmuta

Exactly! The better route is to have the convention now, and head down after the storm to assist with clean-up.

Exactly. And take note folks. Sharm and I quite often disagree. That we are both saying exactly the same thing should tell you something.

re: #229 galloping granny

It simply may not be possible to postpone it. All of the media is already there. They have spent millions to be there and they have somewhere else to be. The hotels are all booked solid for the convention, but they also have reservations for after the convention has left town. The restaurants have already taken delivery of extra food - most of it fresh - that would go to waste. Extra security has been hired.

This isn't like a dinner reservation that you can simply move off for a few days.

I'm aware of that. My company has a multi-million dollar infrastructure already in place there, not to mention the technicians and support staff that has been arriving since friday

I think McCain is such a good guy for being so "on the case."

That being said, I think he has GOOD people on his team, has excellent instincts, and I think they will decide to do what helps everyone. That's just the kind of guy he is.

With that in mind, imho, his "leadership" will be right-on, correct to the needs on all sides, and geared to make the best of things no matter what the eventuality.

There is a silver lining in all this. He gets to give the world a taste of his hands-on leadership style in the face of a potential mess. And I think he will do what's right.

Here's something form the New York Post.

McCain is going to do what he thinks is right.

BS alert: The standard media "Blame Bush" bullshit is inserted. Zero mention of Kathleen Blanco or Ray Nagin or the empty flooded buses.
the meme:

A disastrous storm is a political nightmare for the GOP, reminding Americans of the Bush administration's fumbled response to hurricane Katrina in New Orleans.

See- a disastrous storm is a nightmare for the GOP only - the Democrat party as a whole is totally off the hook.

re: #231 Ojoe

I do not understand why Louisiana has not hired some Dutch engineering firms by now.

The Dutch won't pay the bribes demanded by the local politicos.

I think the delegates and guests are coming in tonight. A saw in an incredible number of buses going to the airport about an hour ago.

MSM plans....do the split screen. Huricanne vs convention. But we have Bobby Jindel now, not "deer in the headlights" Blanco.

Hey, I will see if I can find out more about the police raids today.

Oh yeah, WHAT ABOUT THE POOR MINIMUM WAGE SERVICE WORKERS COUNTING ON THE CONVENTION NEXT WEEK.

JOHN MCCAIN DOES NOT CARE ABOUT THE WORKING MAN!

/

Look at it this way... It might disrupt the Left Leaning Leftists who plan to March on the RNC. Funny that they aren't marching to help Nawlans.

But then again Democrats love thems a good hurricane.

re: #227 cblesz

BTW, Mort Kondracke is a freaking dildo.  Just watching Beltway Boys and he slammed Palin pick.  She's not qualified!  Wha?  How is freaking Obama?  He says Obama has spent the last 18 months thinking and debating.  Oh, so that makes HIM qualified?

I just saw that. He got the talking points memo for sure.

re: #236 sattv4u2
Plus the security. The msm is saying the demonstrations in Denver were minor to what the asshats are planning for the Repubs.

re: #231 Ojoe

I do not understand why Louisiana has not hired some Dutch engineering firms by now.

Nagin has spent the funds already on himself and his political cronies. The Dutch would expect to be paid.

re: #239 Perplexed

Oh well. You can't expect a place named "The Big Easy" to "Be Prepared".

re: #245 LeonidasOfSparta

Nagin has spent the funds already on himself and his political cronies. The Dutch would expect to be paid.

Really? Link?

re: #246 Ojoe

Oh well. You can't expect a place named "The Big Easy" to "Be Prepared".

The Big Sleazy

re: #238 FrogMarch

Here's something form the New York Post.

McCain is going to do what he thinks is right.

BS alert: The standard media "Blame Bush" bullshit is inserted. Zero mention of Kathleen Blanco or Ray Nagin or the empty flooded buses.
the meme:

See- a disastrous storm is a nightmare for the GOP only - the Democrat party as a whole is totally off the hook.

Nobody in the MSM has mentioned Ray Nagin or Blanco in years.

re: #232 wong fei hung

The "partying while people suffer" meme will be worse if we delay this.

We can change the tone of the convention, but delaying it serves the msm and obama more. It's a logistical nightmare.

I think the last thing we need to give the msm and obama camp is a bunch of pissed of delegates going home and whining to other republicans how they got dicked in MN. I think the last thing we should do is dance to the msm's tune. They're not going to be nice to us anyways, so f*ck 'em.

re: #185 Dianna

I was actually thinking of his injuries.

But I don't see how McCain's presence, and all it entails, would help, or do anything except interfere with and exasperate people with jobs to do. And, though Obama would receive rapturous coverage if he filled one token sandbag, the press would show all the chaos surrounding McCain.

This one's not winnable. McCain should go to the convention and speak about hurricane relief. No more.

I agree and it would even be nice for McCain to take the issue off the table before Obama announces what he is going to do. A nice statement saying that to him a candidate travelling to a disaster site while noble in intentions trivializes the very real job that has to be done by the heroes that are called upon to protect their fellow Americans in a time of crisis....or somesuch...

re: #249 galloping granny

Mantra of all Political Parties all over the world.

"Thou shalt not say anything bad about fellow party members."

re: #231 Ojoe

I do not understand why Louisiana has not hired some Dutch engineering firms by now.

I think the Dutch engineers know when they're licked.

re: #248 LeonidasOfSparta

Dutch sea gates. Be Prepared.

re: #241 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

Oh yeah, WHAT ABOUT THE POOR MINIMUM WAGE SERVICE WORKERS COUNTING ON THE CONVENTION NEXT WEEK.

JOHN MCCAIN DOES NOT CARE ABOUT THE WORKING MAN!

/

See! They could totally play that card too. There is no winning here.

So have the convention as scheduled and the day after the convention is over, McCain & Palin should be in NOLA helping with disaster relief.

re: #199 Dianna

Oh, it was a non-starter anyway. It made me mad enough to spit when I read it, though.

So stupid, and so nasty.

I wholeheartedly agree.

I know a lot of conservatives aren't too happy about McCain, but you gotta hand it to him. He plays politics superbly...I'm not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing. Good thing if it means the war against militant jihad is won, bad if he's not who I think he is.

re: #247 MandyManners
I doubt they're dumb enough to leave a paper trail, but I wouldn't put it past them! To siphon off some bucks that is.

When is Gustav supposed to hit/pass? How long would they have to delay the convention?

Typical McCain, zigging and zagging. A brilliant riverboat gamble with Palin, followed by a potential postponement that creates chaos and confusion.

The convention should go forward, John. Monitor the storm. Plan a satellite hook-up to Jindal at the appropriate time. Plan a satellite hook-up to a competent (we hope) FEMA, and a competent Salvation Army regional headquarters. Make sure the speakers can adapt to say "our hearts and our prayers are with those fleeing the storm" at the appropriate time. Make sure to thank the Louisiana National Guard, which did a great job saving lives in Katrina. Their story of success never has been told. Tell it.

Improvise, John. Adapt. Make it happen in a way that's respectful and appropriate to external events. But don't tank it. The message must be that our civic processes and our important rituals aren't hostages to some storm that's nowhere near Minneapolis. Steady at the helm, McCain.

re: #259 Peter Verkooijen

When is Gustav supposed to hit/pass? How long would they have to delay the convention?

It's hitting during the convention. Delaying the convention would mean the republicans are having a good time while other people slave away cleaning up. It's a bad idea.

re: #259 Peter Verkooijen
At least a week. FNC said it looked like it would make landfall Monday.

re: #255 Sharmuta

See! They could totally play that card too. There is no winning here.

So have the convention as scheduled and the day after the convention is over, McCain & Palin should be in NOLA helping with disaster relief.

No. What they SHOULD do is state over and over that they have every confidence in gov. Jindal and if and ONLY if the governor requests it they will be there. If they just show up, it WILL be shown as pandering