Convergence: Gustav, RNC

Three Years almost to the day of Hurricances Katrina / Rita, The GOP meets at the Excel Center with another category 3-5 hurricane on it’s way and having just returned from a video conference, maybe we’ll see Republicans turn their convention into a Humanitarian Cause.

For the moment, McCain for Pres Chair Rick Davis, and Sen. McCain have called for a scaled-back convention, declaring that they will proceed day to day, and if necessary, call on viewers, delegates, and local businesses in Minneapolis to pony up cash in the event of a humanitarian crisis.

And cynically enough, we have a creepy feeling Republicans are relishing it. We’re not going to drop names, but having breakfast alone amidst a few Congresspeople from the south, one said that this “is just what the doctor ordered” in restoring face after the Bush and Republican controlled Congress’ disaster handling of Katrina. Another noted “goddamint...if he’d have chosen Jindal and we had this damn thing? Hell-oo White House!”

To be fair, there is genuine concern and stress, especially as families and delegates from LA, GA, TX, and AL look to the network news outlets with apprehension. At this writing, Gustav is at category three and gaining speed, with expected landfall around noon, Mon Sept 1. , but more realistically, may be a category 2 by landfall.

Of the 47 LA delegates, few are even in MN, and in St.Paul they are flying Gulf Coast delegates back in case any want to check their property, their families, their businesses, etc. Those same delegates will have the option of returning with famaily members - where they already have hotels booked and accomodation arranged.

In fact, it’s the west side of NOLA that is really potentially in danger -the ground is lower lying with levees less tested than those of the Ninth Ward and Chantilly - and a 10 to 12 foot breach could be equally, if not more, tragic than Katrina, and the eventual second blow of Rita. The first area that will likely be hit is Grand Isle - not only a fishing town, but an oil pipeline port that feeds millions of barrels into Chicago, IL..

We do secretly harbour a (happy) suspicion that Gustav won’t be anywhere near as powerful as it’s purported to be.

Additionally, the RNC convention-floor layout is somewhat scaled back - perhaps only in comparison to the Obama - Invesco Field and previous convention years (balloons hover in giant nets like bunches of red and blue grapes - and the stage/podium is only 4 feet up). As McCain calls for party members to take off their political hats and “put on their American hats”, there is real anticipation that some kind of appropriate response be employed.

Sensitivity seems to be the buzzword (as is “Service”, RNC’s opening night’s Buzzword) . The RNC is scheduled to close early after roll-call. By 5 PM Central, the Republicans will know what impact Gustav is having. Some legal party business is essential, and Tuesday might see a complete washout (after an assessment and noon time determination). In fact, as it stands, the same M.O. is being planned for Wed. and Thurs.

In an odd way, just as only time will tell the success of Obama’s Invesco Field speech (as in, election day), a potential bounce could be in the making for the GOP - if they deal with this coming event with something genuine that convinces undecided and uncommitted voters.

Anything would be better than the detatchment with which Bush and FEMA dealt with residents, where Blackwater agents protected property from people rather than people from nature.

~Sven Eric Balabanoff

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