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The Note: In Storm, McCain Senses Opportunity
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ShareSeptember 01, 2008 9:27 AM
ABC News' Rick Klein reports in Monday's Note:
ST. PAUL, Minn. --
To think we worried that this convention week would be dull.
To the pile of history-making events in this remarkable political year, we add another: There will be no Republican National Convention, essentially, on Monday. There might not be one on Tuesday, either -- not really, not as we’ve come to recognize one.
There is a very big storm barreling up the Gulf of Mexico, promising to wash away American soil and threatening American lives at the other end of the Mississippi. With it go years’ worth of meticulous logistical planning -- and months’ worth of intricate messaging.
Yet, for all the worry in St. Paul (about Hurricane Gustav, not to mention that other gathering storm that’s jeopardizing the GOP this fall), could it be that Republicans aren’t all that bummed to be all dressed up with nowhere to go?
Read the rest of The Note -- and get all the latest on the 2008 election, Congress, the White House and the wide world of politics every day -- from Rick Klein by bookmarking this link.
“Rather than run away from the hurricane and its political risks, Mr. McCain ran toward it. He hustled on Sunday to Mississippi to make an appearance there, an unmistakable contrast to Mr. Bush,” Peter Baker writes in The New York Times. “Mr. McCain’s decision to get out front and center played into his ‘Country First’ campaign slogan, allowing him to reinforce his message that he is not a typical partisan, and to draw a sharp contrast with the Bush administration’s response of three years ago.”
No President Bush, no Vice President Dick Cheney, and no Charlie or Katie or Brian, either.
(Yet, first lady Laura Bush and Cindy McCain are both in St. Paul on Monday. A surprise speaking appearance or two, perhaps?)
It’s the day the rhetoric died. But through the clouds -- it’s less comic than cosmic: An opening in the party’s darkness.
“The extraordinary decision to alter what had been a meticulously planned coronation, reflected the powerful and lingering political impact of Katrina,” Michael Abramowitz and Robert Barnes write in The Washington Post. “Some Republicans here were clearly hopeful that by quickly shifting the theme of the convention to aiding relief efforts, they could buttress their efforts to show that a McCain administration would represent a departure from Bush. ‘It's beginning to creep around the edges that this could be a plus,’ said one GOP operative who listened in on a campaign conference call Sunday.”
“It’s redemption for the Republican Party on the competence issue,” a convention planner tells Politico’s Mike Allen and Jim VandeHei. “This is McCain doing the right thing, showing leadership and taking command. ... He’s deciding how to handle this, and Bush is irrelevant.”
Continue reading today's Note by clicking HERE.
ABC News' Hope Ditto and Amanda Temple contributed to this report.
September 1, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (65)
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This is McCain pandering. He voted against support of these people last time around.
The Republican convention was dead from the start with many no going anyway. This way it looks as if the storm did it i9n, but in fact it was done before it started.
Posted by: Thinking | Sep 1, 2008 9:46:18 AM
WAY TO GO, SENATOR JOHN MCCAIN!
I admire what the GOP is doing this week in turning their convention schedule in support to the Americans in Louisiana facing this horrific hurricane.
I can see that McCain has completely distanced himself from partisan lines and is putting Americans first.
What I have a problem with is that the Democrats are saying that this storm is a Godsend for them, that God is a Democrat, and have no compassion for the people running for their lives in Louisisana. Keep it up, Democrats with this type of rhetoric. You are pushing people away from your party and to the Republicans!
Again, way to go John McCain! Keep up the good work!
Democrat now voting Republican!
McCain/Palin 08!
Posted by: david from texas | Sep 1, 2008 9:47:09 AM
I admire John McCain and what he is doing. I am praying for the people of Louisisana. I am a Hillary supporter and I can't stand what the Democrats are saying now, how they have absolutely no heart for people in trouble.
PUMA for McCain/Palin 08!
Posted by: tina | Sep 1, 2008 9:49:22 AM
McCain is the MAN!
Posted by: JT | Sep 1, 2008 9:50:03 AM
“It’s redemption for the Republican Party on the competence issue,” a convention planner tells Politico’s Mike Allen and Jim VandeHei. “This is McCain doing the right thing, showing leadership and taking command. . . . He’s deciding how to handle this, and Bush is irrelevant.”
OMG. It sounds as if he actually did something...lol. Common sense would tell even the village idiot not to hold the convention. This one was a no brainer.
Posted by: J | Sep 1, 2008 9:53:02 AM
I see that Obama scammed and got email addresses and cell phone numbers for his announcement of Biden. Now he's trying to spin that these supporters are giving their emails and cell numbers for him to send out prayers to the hurricane victims. If this is true, which I doubt, it is good. However, I think Obama is trying to get a spin on the devastation of the hurricane for his political gain. What a pud Obama is!
McCain 08!
Posted by: carpe' diem | Sep 1, 2008 9:53:42 AM
“It’s redemption for the Republican Party on the competence issue,” a convention planner tells Politico’s Mike Allen and Jim VandeHei. “This is McCain doing the right thing, showing leadership and taking command. . . . He’s deciding how to handle this, and Bush is irrelevant.”
You are GREAT McCain! Keep up the good work, putting Americans first! Obama would never have done this...he is waay to much into himself. Thank you, John McCain, or I should actually be saying,
"Thank you, President John McCain.!"
Posted by: JT | Sep 1, 2008 9:55:37 AM
McCain lost this election Thursday night.
Posted by: Vanessa | Sep 1, 2008 9:56:33 AM
McCain/Palin 08!
Posted by: tina | Sep 1, 2008 9:56:34 AM
So, what did McCain do? He went into an area and pulled security, police and those who could be helping to work his security detail. He went into a check center to shake hands - which brought productivity to a stand-still.
This is pandering, plain and simple - but what's even worse is him politicizing this Hurricane for his benefit.
'Look at me everyone! I'm not Bush! I'd do things differently! [As if the country hadn't learned a lesson from Professor Katrina]
As John Stossel would say... GIVE ME A BREAK!
Posted by: Deep Release | Sep 1, 2008 9:58:58 AM
Anything to make a hit ...He sided with Bush on the last one and did much of nothing.Now all of a sudden wow lets use this to make ourselves look good.Noway No McCain...
Posted by: me | Sep 1, 2008 10:05:34 AM
McCain would sell his soul to be President...Oh yea he already has!
Posted by: j davis | Sep 1, 2008 10:07:30 AM
Gustav's timing is working to the advantage of the Republicans. They know that their convention was doomed from the start. Their most well known speakers were going to be Bush and Cheney. Hardly a positive for them. Arnold decided not to leave CA to speak...maybe Maria talked some sense into him. The Republicans are all of a sudden so interested in the hurricane. Where have they been the last 3 years when the Katrina victims needed them? Ask anyone from MS or LA...the Republicans don't care about them. They only care about getting elected, then they forget about the people who put them there.
Posted by: Joan | Sep 1, 2008 10:08:34 AM
"In Storm, McCain Senses Opportunity"
Exploitation would be a better word.
Posted by: Thinking | Sep 1, 2008 10:09:18 AM
Is Gustav Republican? Not quite sure! I believe Katrina was. She sunk Bush's Approval Rating and he never recovered.
May be now McCain is trying to put things right!
Posted by: Peace | Sep 1, 2008 10:18:04 AM
At this point Obama will only win a handful of extreme liberal states - the rest of the country is going to vote for McCain / Palin.
Posted by: Jill | Sep 1, 2008 10:14:01 AM
I agree!
Posted by: tammy | Sep 1, 2008 10:19:59 AM
NOBAMA!!!!!!!
Enough said...
Another Texan against the mental disorder known as Liberalism...
Posted by: NOBAMA | Sep 1, 2008 10:05:01 AM
Democrats can't stand the fact that America is now turning to the right choice, that is, John McCain!
Suck it up, DemWits!
Posted by: tammy | Sep 1, 2008 10:21:39 AM
Americans, help hurricane victims, not a panderer.
Senator McCain: panders from a POW to a Gustav.
Posted by: newz4i | Sep 1, 2008 10:21:40 AM
Boy - that Bobby Jindal is one straight-shooter. Talk about poise, charisma and judgement.
Sure would have made an excellent VP! Guess he didn't have the right "bits".
Posted by: Millie in ATL | Sep 1, 2008 10:23:01 AM
McCain lost this election Thursday night and confirmed it Friday morning.
Posted by: Vanessa | Sep 1, 2008 10:24:47 AM
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