KDKA Campaign '08 Coverage
Aug 31, 2008 10:42 pm US/Eastern
Pa. Republican Watching Gustav During Convention
ST. PAUL, Minn. (KDKA) ―
On the eve of the Republican National Convention as preparations and plans for the event go down to the wire there's a very real worry that Hurricane Gustav might turn into another Katrina.
President Bush and Vice President Cheney have both cancelled their trips to the convention, which is set to get underway Monday in Minnesota.
All but essential opening day convention activities have been cancelled, as unpredictable Gustav moves closer to the Gulf shoreline.
"I mean, we know who our nominee is going to be," said Robert Gleason, the chairman of the Pa. Republican delegation. "We will nominate Sen. McCain and Gov. Palin."
Gleason says he's been through five party conventions, but because of Gustav, he's never witnessed as much uncertainty as he has now.
"We feel very badly about this hurricane and all the people along the Gulf Coast. "I'm from Johnstown, so I've been through disasters, floods. I understand what they are facing," he said. "We want to be sensitive to our compatriots, along the Gulf Coast. We all understand that and you know, we're praying for them, and waiting to see how the storm turns out."
Monday's first session will open around 3 p.m. and it's expected to run less than three hours.
"This is obviously an irregular activity for the convention," said Rick Davis, the Republican Campaign manager. "We had hoped we could have a more traditional convention, as it relates to the nomination process, but as the Senator has indicated, events have conspired to do otherwise."
Chairman Gleason also says that it's understandable why President Bush and Vice President Cheney have cancelled their appearances.
"We're all thinking about Katrina," Gleason said. "That wasn't a good situation, they don't want that to happen again. I don't blame them."
Organizers say because of uncertainty over the hurricane, further changes in the convention schedule will likely be made on a day-to-day basis.
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