"At the recommendation of Sen. John McCain, the 2008 Republican National Convention announced substantial changes to the convention's program and actions being taken to help with Hurricane Gustav relief efforts. On Monday, all program activities beyond the official business that must be conducted in accordance with party rules will be cancelled."Rick Davis, campaign manager for Sen. John McCain, elaborated:
It's the right move -- and, for a whole slew of reasons, a transparent one."We are deeply concerned about the safety and welfare of the residents of the Gulf State region. Our top priority is to assist those who will be affected by Hurricane Gustav. This is not a time for politics or celebration; it is a time for us to come together as Americans and assist the residents of the Gulf States."
"At some point between Monday and Thursday evening, we will convene once again to complete the activities needed to qualify Senator McCain and Governor Palin for the ballot in all 50 states. Beyond that, all we can say is that we will monitor what is happening and make decisions about other convention business as details become available."
Without questioning the expression of concern for Americans in Gustav's path, no doubt the RNC was motivated by the prospect of split-screen images of balloons on one side and disaster scenes on the other. And right or wrong, thanks to the Bush administration's ineptitude, Republicans are most closely identified with the Katrina fiasco.
The GOP, then, like a repentant adulterer, is wise not to invite the inevitable criticism. Better to do some partisan penance.
Beyond the potential for bad press is the very real potential for relatively little press -- Gustav coverage dominating page one and the convention being relegated to page two (or worse). That could've made the Republicans' party seem comparatively insignificant and the Republican Party appear even more out of touch than it's already perceived to be.
Although it remains to be seen if McCain-Palin will suffer without the traditional final-night introduction to American voters -- and that still may happen -- the ticket might actually benefit from a scaled-back event.
Let's face it, any time McCain-Palin can distance itself from the dismally unpopular Bush-Cheney administration, it's a win. With the President's and Vice President's convention speeches cancelled (both were scheduled to speak today), it's the political equivalent of found money for the GOP.
Ultimately, and speaking for myself here, these big political conventions inform my voting decision about as much as a Super Bowl halftime show -- entertaining as they are, historic as they can be, I wouldn't mourn the loss of this one.
