I get the feeling that this major storm is going to be politicized out the ying-yang... as already shown by comments made by both elected officials, media gurus, and religious leaders. This could be the next "big" issue of the campaign season... one that dominates the talk heading to November. I hear that its possible the RNC might be postponed even? McCain and Palin are planning on spending the entire week in the New Orleans/Mississippi area? I think both candidates are going to try and be opportunists about the storm and how it can help them win the election..
Obama and Biden will most likely be doing the same thing. Also, the RNC has to change their entire strategy. Would look pretty bad if they are up in Minnesota bashing the DNC, while Gustav (and soon Hanna) are going on.
One thing for sure, it gives the Republican convention a good reason to suck as compared to the Democratic convention. Expectations will be low for them now since all attention will be on the storm. Good break for the republicans.
That's not completely true. Any time your "grand infomercial" is hindered, 60 days from now when people cast their votes, it will show up in the tally that your biggest moment to gain momentum was cut short. On the plus side, McCain can be the "take care of business" candidate by putting his face all over the recovery effort of this storm, thereby distancing himself from Bush.
That's beautiful for McCain. Irony is that Gustav isn't even a major hurricane right now. Looks like passing over Cuba really took it's toll. It may regather strength but it may turnout to be a lot less fearsome than originally thought. I don't think Gustav will be a big story - certainly not another Katrina.
What's your definition of "major"? I may not be another Katrina because the people have gotten out of the city and the Super Dome isn't being used as a shelter, but there'll still be a lot of problems and damage done.
Same as the National Hurrican Center: Either category 3,4, or 5. If Gustav hits south LA with winds of 115 mph, I'd say they dodged a pretty significant bullet.
It's a 3 now expected to reach 4 status before hitting according to the weather channel :30 seconds ago.
It might, but there are some challenges - the water will be cooler and there will be more shear. Gustav also has dry air entrainment - hasn't reformed it's eye since passing over Cuba which was some time ago already. Hopefully it will weaken from the shear and cooler waters. We will see.... http://www.ssd.noaa.gov/goes/flt/t1/loop-wv.html
It's a low bar they have to clear. As long as a bunch of people don't drown in their attics, the Repub machine will trumpet the success of their response. They are already saying it will be better because of a different Gov in LA.
It looks that way - though I think part of the Obama strategy is at least more logical. McCain is looking at possibly doing his convention speech from there and spending the week there. Both Obama and Bush have said they will stay away because anytime they go places, it takes local security and personnel away from other jobs. This happened with the Iowa floods too, where Obama stayed away while McCain went despite local officials asking them to stay away. The GOP Convention apparently might also serve as a telethon to raise funds - that's a much smarter way to go, I think. Both politcally savvy and truly helpful. The Obama campaign is planning to use it's email list to mobilize money and volunteers to go down and help with aid once the damage is known.
I'm hearing the Monday night portion of the GOP convention is now cancelled. A classy move by the Republicans.
Looks like Gustav will strengthen a bit. Also the trek of the storm will mean Lake Pontchartrain will get the worst of the storm surge since it will be on the right side of motion. This is bad because this surge will be worse than Katrina since Katrina passed to the right of the lake (thus the surge wasn't as bad). Hopefully the cooler waters will weaken it. good news is that the wind shear is really been taking it's toll and will keep Gustav from being a Cat 4.
I never thought anyone would actually say a major hurricane in the middle of the convention taking away attention would actually HELP Republicans, but this forum never fails to impress.
Is this going to be the first time in history a sitting President is not going to be speaking, or appearing, at his parties national convention? Politically speaking, when history judges this event, I can guarantee you that the storm will be seen as a convenient excuse to dismiss Bush from the ceremonies due to his politically inconvenient approval ratings and McCain's desire to distance himself from him. Disclaimer: We are discussing the political ramifications of Gustav, the humanitarian context is universally recognized and acknowledged by everyone. So if you feel like taking a cheap shot at me for posting my opinion, go eat a bag of hell.
I think Donny's on to something. -- GOP sees potential redemption in Gustav ST. PAUL, Minn. — Republican officials say their radically curtailed convention offers a big political opportunity for the party to redeem itself on the competence issue — and for John McCain to step out of President Bush’s shadow once and for all. ADVERTISEMENT There's no doubt it's a bit morbid to think about (and write about) the politics of a potential natural disaster, and the thoughts — and prayers — of those gathering here are keenly focused on the Americans who face potential peril in Gustav’s path. That’s true for Republicans, Democrats and members of the media alike. But this is a national political convention, and the potential political fallout of Gustav is a topic that was consuming Republican Party and McCain campaign officials on Sunday — one day before the official start of what had been planned as four days of festivities here. “You don’t wish for it, but it shows McCain dealing with a surprise — a big event that has consequences on people,” a convention planner said. “It’s redemption for the Republican Party on the competence issue. The convention ends up being about John McCain showing the best way to serve a cause greater than yourself.” http://news.yahoo.com/s/politico/20080831/pl_politico/13025;_ylt=AqtrPw8E3VNQ10RLJfKg7YWs0NUE
