"And if, in the new compressed schedule, there just wasn't time for a Bush-Cheney night, would anybody shed a tear?"

Among Republican Convention-goers?  The only way they wouldn't be up in arms is if Bush spent the whole time dealing with the hurricane and its aftermath.  Then they could praise his heroism and willingness to put duty before party.

I guess. IF they can keep Bush/Cheney from speaking, that's good.

But..........it's 4 nights of free media......one hour per night.....

Yes, I have to agree that on balance a shortened convention is better for the Republicans.  The more they keep their mouths shut while letting the Democratic far leftists make fools of themselves, the better they are likely to do in November.

It would be impossible to exclude Bush and Cheney; and if they are not excluded, that is all people will remember.  Too bad Gustav will wreck havoc; if it means a concentrated dose of Bush's shrugs, Cheney's bitter utterings, McCain's inanities and a stellar speech by Ms. Congeniality about her five children, three dogs and twelve mounted mooseheads, so much the better.

As a former New Orleanian who had to evacuate from New Orleans during Katrina, who lost two family members to Katrina, and who has family who right now are evacuating, I could care less if John McCain or George Bush or Sarah Palin or the whole fraking RNC ceases to exist.  Have the damn thing or not, but GWB needs to make damn sure that FEMA and the government are la ittle quicker on the draw this time around.

If they do have it, I and my family would appreciate it if they do not do remote satelitte feed of the President in Louisiana.  I don't wanna see him fighting against the wind like some random reporter from CNN, to report about conditions on the ground at the convention.  It would be in bad form for the President to give a major public address about the conditions in New Orleans as some sort of "live on the scene" spot as some type of Republicn platform.  

Also, if they have to delay or cancel the convention, does that mean that McCain can forgoe the public financing deadline already set in place.

What's up with a cat 4 hurricane targeting New Orleans AGAIN a mere three years later?  And in the middle of the GOP convention, no less.  Seems like God has a horse in this race, though whose side He's on is a little tough to divine.  Suppose the Crescent City gets trashed all over again, does it just serve to remind the nation of the Repubs gross incompetance and high-handed indifference or does it count as a mulligan, an opportunity for Bush & Co to redeem themselves?  

"Scaled back to a two-or even one-day greatest hits event...."                                                                                                                                                          Are you serious?                                                                                                                                                                 WHAT GREATEST HITS?  Only those a masochist could appreciate?

Guys: you need to hold onto your hats.

Mark my words: this could be a disaster for Obama. I'm holding my breath for the next four days.

"Mark my words: this could be a disaster for Obama."

I think that's overstating it, but, yes, in a number of ways Gustav could redound to McCain's advantage.

According to the NY Times, he and Palin are already booked to visit the Mississippi coast tomorrow to "survey preparations for the hurricane."

OTH, it could redound to Obama's advantage, and meteorologically speaking, I actually think that's more likely.

The most likely scenario is that Gustav hits the coast 70 miles west of New Orleans, the city sees winds of 73 knots and the levees hold.  I've lived through two Atlantic coast hurricanes with winds of approximately 75mph, it makes for a fun-filled evening, but really unless your house is on a barrier island it isn't that big a deal .  That way, the evacuation--organized by black, Democratic mayor Ray Nagin--looks effective, FEMA has little if anything to do, but the whole kerfuffle steps on the media coverage of the GOP convention if it doesn't actually cut the convention short.  And to top it off, it forces everyone to recall Katrina.

Your lips to God's aeromonas--nobody gets hurt, including our candidate.

This is definitely not a blessing in disguise for the GOP. Can you imagine the symbolism of their convention having to stop because another hurricane is hitting New Orleans. Remind the nation of Katrina when they're trying to redefine themselves. MoveOn and the like will have a field day.

"This is definitely not a blessing in disguise for the GOP. Can you imagine the symbolism of their convention having to stop because another hurricane is hitting New Orleans. Remind the nation of Katrina when they're trying to redefine themselves. MoveOn and the like will have a field day."

I have to disagree.  They have a chance to actually get it right this time.  For the sake of the people on the Gulf Coast, I hope they do.

According to news reports. Bush and Cheney have canceled. THAT is the best possible news for McCain, although the Republicans do risk losing the free media coverage.

Free media coverage of Bush and Cheney reminding us why they are so disliked?  McCain needs that like he needs hemorrhoids.

nbarry said:  "Free media coverage of Bush and Cheney reminding us why they are so disliked?  McCain needs that like he needs hemorrhoids."

Exactly, he would have paid money to have them not covered.

The hurricane will actually help the Republicans because they can all stand around and look serious and very concerned.

It will also help Obama play the role of FEMA advisor.

All in all the hurricane is a wash as a political story.

The hurricane is tremendously important for those impacted, yes, of course, but we seem to be forgetting that we have all these days of campaigning ahead of us until the Nov. election. So no matter what transpires over the next two or three days, it will finally pale politically in comparison to the events that are ahead. The media is focused on the immediate day-to-day. As long as we understand this, we can postpone our hysteria and prepare ourselves to make judgments, it is to be hoped, on policy issues. Call me hopelessly naive.  

"McCain needs that like he needs hemorrhoids."

At 72 years old, no doubt he already has them.