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Republicans grapple with Gustav
MINNEAPOLIS - Ohio Republicans who came to town for the Republican National Convention found themselves dealing with the specter of a hurricane that may yet devastate New Orleans not three years after the Bush administration was criticized for not wisely handling Hurricane Katrina.
A paddleboat cruise on the Mississippi River hosted by Sen. George Voinovich, R-Ohio, became an impromptu fundraiser for those who will be flooded if the hurricane hits land. Fran DeWine, the wife of former U.S. Sen. Mike DeWine, R-Ohio, thought up the idea as the DeWine family drove from their Greene County home to the convention.
The DeWines gave $1,000 and passed out pledge cards for other Republican delegates. The sponsors of the Voinovich event - First Energy, the American Chemistry Council, Abbott and Forest City Enterprises - promised to match whatever Republican delegates raised.
Republicans also planned for a modified schedule Monday, meeting from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m., rather than well into the night. The modified schedule was aimed at accommodating some of the party business that must be done to nominate Sen. John McCain.
A planned reception in honor of State Auditor Mary Taylor was bumped up to 6 to 8 p.m. Monday.
Officials said they planned on modifying the rest of the week’s schedule according to what happened after the storm hit land.
“There is absolutely nothing we can control about this except our response,” said Ohio Republican Party Deputy Chair Kevin DeWine. He said the party would pray for the victims of the storm and raise money for those victims. He said scaling back the usually festive atmosphere at the convention was “the appropriate thing to do.”
Earlier in the day, House Minority Leader John Boehner, R-West Chester, admitted it would be “hard to discuss message of the convention and the message of the fall campaign given what we’re dealing with.”
“You’ll see a commitment on the part of the convention and all our delegates, alternatives and friends to take part in public service,” he said. “A part of that will be a significant fundraising drive to help those charities that are currently going to be stretched as a result of this impending disaster.”
Delegates said such a response was preferable to canceling the whole party outright.
“What we are doing here could be the future of the United States,” said John C. Willke, a Cincinnati honorary delegate and president of the International Right to Life Federation. “You don’t suddenly cancel it outright.”
Centerville Mayor Mark Kingseed, a delegate, said delegates can help raise money first and then look at organizing resources for hurricane victims next.
“Obviously, it was hideously mismanaged three years ago. We owe it to ourselves and to those there that we’re prepared to help them,” Kingseed said. - Jessica Wehrman, Scott Shepard of Cox Newspapers contributing.
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By Savanation
September 1, 2008 8:34 AM | Link to this
Ah, Ethel, is this the same John McCain who was stuffing his face with birthday at George Bush’s side while New Orleans was dying during Katrina? That worked well, didn’t it Ethel. Bet all the people Bush and McCain left standing of rooftops would have enjoyed a piece of that cake. Amazing that since he is running for President, suddenly he is SOOOOOOO concerned about New Orleans. Makes a great photo op, doesn’t it, Ethel, for “his exceptional talents” and “outstanding leadership qualitites” I guess those talents and qualities were evident in picking a complete nothing as his vision to possibly lead our country. ” the GOP convention is in St. Paul”(Ethel) Yes it is, and St, Paul is ever so ashamed that it’s name is associated with such trash.
By Ethel S.
September 1, 2008 12:44 AM | Link to this
Once again John McCain has shown his true character by calling for action instead of all the parties at the GOP convention. This might be a risk to his campaign, but John McCain has shown his outstanding leadership qualities in this crisis by putting “America First.” Everyday, he more and more demonstrates his exceptional talents. Our country would truly benefit by his Presidency. Go McCain/Palin and the USA! By the way, Laura, the GOP convention is in St. Paul (not Minneapolis).