Hurricane Affects Republican Convention
As Gustav bears down on Gulf Coast, Republicans look at how to help
Elderly residents wait to board buses and trains to evacuate New Orleans, Louisiana, evacuate the city ahead of Hurricane Gustav, August 31, 2008. (Photo: Lee Celano/Reuters)
UPDATE: Gustav downgraded to a Category 2 hurricane with 110 mph winds as it hits New Orleans. Officials hope damage will not be as bad as expected.
Hurricane Gustav may affect more than the Gulf Coast region. The Category 4 hurricane has anyone involved with the Republican National Convention (RNC) on edge, too. Scheduled to begin on Monday in St. Paul/Minneapolis, Minnesota, the RNC may cancel one or more days of its four-day convention.
President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney have already cancelled their scheduled appearances for Monday night. If they do address the convention delegates, it will be by satellite.
As the delegates—and members of the Scholastic Kids Press Corps—head to Minneapolis, Gustav is bearing down on Louisiana and Mississippi.
New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin, who spoke to Scholastic Kid Reporters at the Democratic National Convention in Denver last week, called for a mandatory evacuation of his city. In his remarks to Scholastic News, Nagin blasted the administration for its lack of response to the region's troubles.
New Orleans is still struggling to recover from the ravages of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Criticism of the Bush Administration for its handling of Katrina both before and after the storm, have made Republicans especially sensitive about dealing with the current threat.
Republican nominee John McCain told the media on Sunday morning that convention plans will change over the next few days depending on the strength of Gustav and the damage it may cause.
"It wouldn't be appropriate to have a festive occasion while a near-tragedy or a terrible challenge is presented in the form of a natural disaster," McCain told reporters.
Convention planners are also working on what delegates can do to help victims of the hurricane.
Instead of going to the convention on Monday, President Bush will be in Texas at emergency operation centers in San Antonio and Austin. He will go to Louisiana once it is safe to do so.
Gustav is expected to be worse than Katrina. As a Category 4 hurricane, winds will blow at 131-155 mph. Katrina hit the coast as a Cat 3.
Stay tuned to Scholastic News Online for news of the hurricane and changes to the Republican National Convention.
TELL US WHAT YOU THINK
Read today’s story and answer the following question.
 | What do you suggest the Republicans do this week to both hold their convention and help the Gulf Coast region survive Hurricane Gustav? Tell us what you think on the Scholastic News Online Blog!
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