Hurricane Gustav looks to be a serious threat to lives and property along the U.S. Gulf Coast and we should all be praying for the safety of residents.  Thankfully, it appears that at least government has learned the lessons of Hurricane Katrina.

This all said, Gustav does not exist in a vacuum and with the GOP convo set to start on Monday, that only increases the political impact.  Check out the 8 political impacts of Hurrican Gustav over on The Weekly Standard.

PUMAs for Palin. Nice.

You blew it, Democratic Party.

You know what they say about women scorned.

Add to that fury many, many men.

On November 5th, 2008, after your Soros’ puppet is defeated, we will talk.

Until then, have fun with Jeremiah Wright, ACORN and the rest of the Chicago neo-Stalinists.

An email from Ireland to all of their brethren in the States………..a point to ponder despite your political affiliation:

“We, in Ireland, can’t figure out why you people are even bothering to hold an election in the United States.

On one side, you had a pants wearing female lawyer, married to another lawyer who can’t seem to keep his pants on, who just lost a heated primary against another lawyer, who goes to the wrong church, who is married to yet another lawyer, who doesn’t even like the country her husband wants to run!

Now…..on the other side, you have a nice old war hero whose name starts with the appropriate “Mc” terminology, married to a good looking younger woman who owns a beer distributorship”.

What in heaven’s name are e ya lads thinkin’ over in the colonies???

McCain 2008 and 2008 Republican National Convention Announce Changes to Convention Program and Hurricane Response Efforts

Chairman of the Republican National Committee Robert M. “Mike” Duncan added, “The safety and well-being of the people of the Gulf States remains our top concern. We are doing everything we can on the ground in Minneapolis-Saint Paul to ensure that the delegations affected by this storm have the resources and information that they need. As Senator McCain said this morning, we must redirect our attention and efforts. We will act as Americans - not Republicans - to help our fellow citizens in need.”

This morning, at the request of Governor Barbour (R-Miss.), Sen. McCain attended a briefing with the governor about the state’s storm preparation efforts. The briefing was held at the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency offices in Pearl, Miss. Following the briefing, Sen. McCain, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, and Mrs. Cindy McCain toured the emergency management center.

The convention is in continuous communication with all delegates, speakers, and program participants. All parties understand that the schedule for the convention will be dictated by the conditions on the ground in the Gulf States and are, therefore, subject to change. The campaign and the convention’s first priority is the safety and security of those living in the areas where the hurricane will make landfall.

The McCain campaign has also taken several additional steps to assist delegates from the Gulf States, including the formation of an Affected States Working Group, the chartering of a DC-9 to transport affected delegates, and the establishment of an Affected States Information Center.

The Affected States Working Group
The Affected States Working Group is comprised of a group of representatives from each of the states in Hurricane Gustav’s path. The group will ensure that all affected delegates have information and assistance in real time.

The Affected States Working Group is led by all five state party chairs from the affected area along with other delegation officials. The purpose of the group will be to regularly brief their delegates and convention planners, provide access to timely information and assistance, and give input on appropriate steps that can be taken from Minnesota.

The state party chairs released the following joint statement:

“We appreciate the thoughts and prayers of everyone around the country as we prepare for this dangerous storm. We are here in Minnesota for the necessary job of nominating our choice for president and vice president, but obviously our focus is on our families and friends back at home. We are in constant communication with our governors and elected officials and feel confident that they are taking the appropriate and necessary steps to prepare. The purpose of this group is to discuss ways that we can come together to provide information and support for our delegates here in Minneapolis.”

The group is made up of nine leaders from the region and is chaired by the following individuals:

• Roger Villare, Louisiana State Chair
• Tina Benkiser, Texas State Chair
• Brad White, Mississippi State Chair
• Mike Hubbard, Alabama State Chair
• Jim Greer, Florida State Chair

Air Transportation Provided to Delegates
Also announced today were transportation arrangements for delegates from states affected by Hurricane Gustav. The McCain 2008 campaign has chartered a DC-9 that will transport delegates that wish to return to home to their states. The DC-9 will leave Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport today and will fly to Jackson, Mississippi. All transportation costs will be covered by the McCain 2008 campaign.

“As we all watch and prepare for Gustav to make landfall, it is important that the convention make it as easy as possible for delegates to be where they are needed most - with their families and local agencies in their home states. We are grateful to Senator McCain for making this resource available to the delegates from the Gulf States,” Maria Cino, President and CEO of the Republican National Convention 2008, said today.

Affected States Information Center
The convention has established an Affected States Information Center, which will be fully staffed and located inside the Xcel Energy Center. The center will remain open during the Xcel Energy Center’s operating hours and will serve as a central location where delegates can get news about the hurricane, weather reports, and information about rescue relief organizations; access to computers and phones; and the resources they need to address their situations back home. Delegates can go to the center and get information. There will also be contacts in the center that can contact Gulf State governors, if needed.

Republican Party Rules
The convention program has been altered in response to the situation developing in the Gulf States region. However, the convention will still take place. According to party rules, it is necessary for the convention to proceed in order to ensure that the party is able to place its candidates’ names on the ballot in November.

On November 9, 2007, pursuant to the rules adopted at the 2004 National Republican Convention, the party issued the call for its convention. The call requires that the convention meet on Sept. 1, 2008. The session must be convened no earlier than 9 a.m. and no later than 7 p.m. Under the current party rules, this is the only method by which the party may select a candidate for President and Vice President.

Ouch!

Responding to a question after his hurricane-related remarks, McCain made a ringing defense of Palin, who Democrats argue has less experience than their presidential candidate, Barack Obama.

“I think Sen. Obama, if they want to do down that route, in all candor, she has far, far more experience than Sen. Obama does,” McCain said.

He cited Palin’s stint as governor of a “state that produces 20 percent of America’s energy” as well as her previous membership in the PTA and her time spent on the city council and in the mayor’s office in Wasilla, a town of fewer than 7,000 people outside Anchorage.

By contrast, he said Obama “was a community organizer when she was in elected office. He was in the state Senate and voted 130 times present. He never took on his party on anything. She took on a party and the old bulls and the old boy network and she succeeded.”

And I’m still waiting to hear exactly what a “community organizer” is, who pays for that position and what Barry achieved as one.