« Previous | Main | Next »

Bush May Not Attend Republican Convention Because of Hurricane

Share

August 30, 2008 9:12 PM

ABC News' Jennifer Duck reports: As Hurricane Gustav strengthens and threatens the still recovering Gulf Coast, the White House is reevaluating the president's plans to attend the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn.

President Bush continues to get updates from national and local officials on the ground in Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas and Alabama on the Category 4 storm.

White House Press Secretary Dana Perino told reporters on a conference call, "We continue to evaluate the track of the storm, and I know there is tremendous interest in whether we'll have any scheduling changes. There is not a scheduling change to speak of tonight, but at the White House we are making contingency plans should the president decide against traveling to Minnesota for the RNC convention."

The president is expected to speak Monday night in St Paul.

Perino added, "This is a very serious storm and the president is asking people in the region to listen to their local officials, heed their warnings, and evacuate if asked."

Bush faced great criticism for the slow federal response to Hurricane Katrina in 2005 when he first surveyed the damage by flying over the area on Air Force One and told then-FEMA Director Michael Brown he was doing a "heck of a job."

August 30, 2008 in Vote 2008: Republicans | Permalink | User Comments (59)

User Comments

Feed You can follow this conversation by subscribing to the comment feed for this post.

The DNC didn't vet Obama. SO there and what's your point? It's the rubber-glue thing. AS soon as the dems attack her on anything, the Repubs will just pull something out of the Obama file and bounce it right back at 'em. Simple as that. McCain/Palin 08 yeah!

Posted by: Kitty | Aug 30, 2008 11:26:37 PM

Well it's about time that President Bush act presidential even if McCain's true desire is that he stays home!!! By the way......Sarah WHO????
Howard Gallas, Reno, NV.

Posted by: Howard Gallas | Aug 30, 2008 11:28:43 PM

No one is pointing out that Palin was a foot soldier in Pat Buchanans pitchfork rebellion.

Those are some dangerous views to be touting in this environment. With the anti-semitic hate speech that Buchanan spews, how in Gods name does McCain think he will win Florida now?

Posted by: Middle East Policy | Aug 30, 2008 11:29:05 PM

Obama has been raked over the coals, I mean vetted for the last 18 months. He has been through how many debates? And he was elected to the top of the ticket, not selected. Remember 11 wins in a row? Elected by the people.
You have the nerve to compare Obama's accomplishments and experience to her bs in journalism?

Funny how foreign policy was important as you nuts beat up on Obama, until Friday, then voila, no more talk on the importance of foreign policy.
The republican hypocrisy cup runneth over.

Posted by: bc46 | Aug 30, 2008 11:35:19 PM

Like I said in one of the other blogs...

Why should Palin be held accountable for anything that Pat Buchanan said or did?

You Obama supporters are always saying that Obama should not be held accountable for any of the words or actions of Reverend Wright (loyal congregation member for 20 years, "like a father to me," "spiritual advisor"); Father Pfleger (one of my three moral compasses); Tony Rezko (campaign fundraiser and real estate middle man); William Ayers (neighbor, campaign launched in his living room), etc. etc. etc.

I doubt if Palin's relationship with Buchanan was anywhere near the intimacy level that Obama had with some of these people.

Posted by: Lee | Aug 30, 2008 11:40:46 PM

Oh yeah, and what did Rove say about Obama possibly picking VA Gov Tim Kaine?

"I think he's going to make an intensely political choice, not a governing choice...He's going to view this through the prism of a candidate, not through the prism of president; that is to say, he's going to pick somebody that he thinks will on the margin help him in a state like Indiana or Missouri or Virginia. He's not going to be thinking big and broad about the responsibilities of president."

h y p o c r i t e

"With all due respect again to Governor Kaine, he's been a governor for three years, he's been able but undistinguished. I don't think people could really name a big, important thing that he's done."

H Y P O C R I T E

Not. This. Time.
Obama/Biden 08

Posted by: bc46 | Aug 30, 2008 11:41:34 PM

The RNC are getting a dose of their own medicine. Remember the Republicans were praying for rain to disrupt Obama speech on Thursday. I wonder if as Christians that is what the Bible teaches us on how to relate with our neighbors.

Posted by: Gill | Aug 30, 2008 11:51:05 PM

State Senator, 11 yrs.
Constitutional Law Professor,
Civil Rights Attorney, 9 yrs
Ethics Reform,
Gov't Transparency Legislation,
Comprehensive Plan to insure nuclear weapons secure by 2012,
Additional benefits for Veterans,
Katrina legislation for families,
Has written almost 1,000 pcs of legislation,
Co-sponsored over 1,000 pcs of legislation

I know you only wish these were Sarah's accomplishments, but keep dreaming.


Posted by: bc46 | Aug 30, 2008 11:52:17 PM

I sincerely doubt that anyone would want George Bush to show up. Even if the sky was a radiant blue over New Orleans.

The man is a disgrace.

Posted by: ugh | Aug 30, 2008 11:56:19 PM

Guys, you forgot some other qualifications:

1. Sat in Rev. Wright's church and made anti-american statements for 20 years.
2. Supported anti-american terrorist organizations like Hamas etc.,
3. Smoked pot and continuing to do so.
4. Slept with Larry.
5. Drug addict.
6. Married Michelle Marxist Obama.
7. Very good friend of domestic terrorist William Ayers.
8. Luis Farrakhan is the savior, not Jesus.
9. Accuses any one who comes in the way of racism.
10. Played the race card against the Clintons.
11. Took more than half-a-million dollars from just Rezko.
12. Never loved America.

Posted by: Obama | Aug 31, 2008 12:06:35 AM

Obama is a hot-head. He hit a colleague of ours because he asked Michelle out on a date. That guy did not know anything about Michelle and Obama seeing each other.

He actually hit the guy in the bathroom.

Posted by: Obama | Aug 31, 2008 12:10:23 AM

The Obama camp can spin it all they want : the only bounce they got was a DEAD CAT BOUNCE !

GO Palin ! GO Girl !

Posted by: McCain/Palin 2008 | Aug 31, 2008 12:30:19 AM

The last Democratic ticket that won had more than 15% bounce ...

...so if I am Obama, I will be VERY WOOOOORIED !!!

Posted by: McCain/Palin 2008 | Aug 31, 2008 12:33:51 AM

Hey Obama....the hot head is McCain. You need to buy the book coming out next month "The Real McCain". Called his wife a c#nt in 1992 while campaigning....what will he call his new VP? Why was his nickname in high school McNasty?

Posted by: Realist | Aug 31, 2008 12:34:04 AM

George W. should stay in Washington, D.C., keep track of Gustav, and ride herd on FEMA--He owes that to the people of NOLA, as penance.

But ya gotta admit the really weird twist of fate that a hurricane would be the reason that keeps the prez away from his own party's presidential convention, since it was a hurricane that exposed the full extent of his incompetency as POTUS. He's so unpopular that his speech was consigned to a conspicuously poor ratings slot. The Republicans know that if they showcase him the polls will take a downward freefall. And it would be a major embarrassment for the farewell address of their "champion" of the last eight years to be delivered to a half-filled convention hall. You can almost hear the RNC leadership taking a deep sigh of relief.

I am, however, going to watch Cheney's speech if they hold the convention. I can hardly wait to watch Mr. "The U.S. Constitution Does Not Apply to Me." That's going to be a historic address of Extreme Fantasy.

Posted by: Siggie153 | Aug 31, 2008 12:59:54 AM

As a Sr. Citizen and a Hillary supporter I am offended that McBush thinks that Sarah from Alaska can make me ignore my beliefs and switch to support the fiasco of the last 8 years. I am very proud to have Obama as my candidate for President .. I look forward to reality once again becoming a part of the Washington political scene.. I also believe Hillary would have made an excellent President .. we, in the Democratic Party, were blessed to have 2 such qualified candidates for President. I hope that now we can put the primary race behind us and move forward in our efforts to undo the damage McBush has done to our Country. As far as I am concerned any "Hillary supporter" who does not continue to honor their belief system and switches to the opposition just because their candidate put our Country first when she realized it was necessary .. and withdrew (with grace, I might add) is putting their own desires before the well-being of this great Nation of ours. I am also very proud of Hillary and Bill Clinton for the way they handled what must have been, for them, a disappointing end to a lot of very hard work .. they put their Country before their ambitions .. and Hillary will be a great asset in the Senate ! I am sure that Bill's experience will be honored and he will be an asset during the campaign .. as well as during the next 8 years.

Oh .. looks like the GOP has figured out a viable excuse for not having Bush clutter up their convention with his presence .. Gustav .. maybe he'll pay more attention to this hurricane than he did to Katrina. Keep our Gulf shore citizens in your prayers.

PS .. I am a "Recovering Republican" of many years .. I no longer recognize today's GOP as the same party I knew in the 50's.


Posted by: Helen Snyder | Aug 31, 2008 1:03:56 AM

Wow!! He learned a lesson. I didn't think he was capable of that!! This is so fitting. Maybe this will be such a big news story that nobody will pay attention to the Republicans!!! Not to mention that the NFL's opening game comes on Thursday night!! ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL?!!!

Posted by: phillip | Aug 31, 2008 1:05:30 AM

Mr. George W. Bush, our president, has done an outstanding job protecting this country in troubled times. Unfortunately, it will take generations before it is understood the complexity of managing worldwide forces. He stepped up to the plate and reciprocated to an evil empire. People are upset their kids are at war, but thats why we have a military force with voluntary enlisting. People are upset because money is tight, the government is not here to pay your rent or feed you or raise your kids, if you can't afford kids then stop having babies. I just hate leaches and freeloaders.
Long live our commander in chief, I would have voted for him again if it was possible. Thank you President Bush.

Posted by: Dumb de-moo-crats | Aug 31, 2008 1:33:14 AM

Obama will win maybe not by a large margin, but NFL football call a win and win no matter how close the game may have been. Also, do you think a black man is going to get a very large win no because of you hatefull racist white people would rather cut of your nose to spice you face becasue they will find it very hard to pull the lever for any black man. So here is your answer why it will be very tight race becasue some whites will not be able to vote for any black even if he is the right choice simple as that. Racist is real in the USA and this race have proved it.

Posted by: gl | Aug 31, 2008 1:33:17 AM

Dumb de-moo-crats you definitely need help.....your right it will take generations to fix everything he fricked up.

Posted by: Realist | Aug 31, 2008 1:40:19 AM

Post a comment