Bush and Cheney Will Skip G.O.P. Convention

[Faygo Kid]

Source: New York Times

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Bracing for a storm that could surpass Hurricane Katrina, President Bush on Sunday said he would skip the Republican National Convention and head instead to Texas to be with evacuees and emergency responders. He warned a jittery Gulf Coast that it could face ''significant flooding.''

''The message to the people of the Gulf Coast is, this storm is dangerous,'' Bush said bluntly after a briefing on Hurricane Gustav's path and power. ''There's a real possibility of flooding, storm surge, and high winds. ... Do not put yourself in harm's way, or make rescue workers take unnecessary risks.''

The president's quick change of travel will put him in the region on the very day that Gustav was expected to slam into the United States. The swift, hands-on level of engagement comes three years after his White House was blistered for a sluggish response to Hurricane Katrina. The legacy of that debacle helped shape Bush's presidency.

Bush's move also shows the vastly changing tone of the Republican convention in St. Paul, Minn., where presidential candidate John McCain has said Gustav will now take precedence. . . .



Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-Bush-Gustav.html

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[Olney Blue]

1. We need to face the possibility that Bush's "hands on" might be worse.

[Solly Mack]

2. catapult the propaganda..we care. we care. we care.

All lies.

[LindyHope]

4. I fear..........

We are about to witness the most nauseating spectacle of staged "compassion" and "caring" the world has ever seen.

[Solly Mack]

8. We are

If it wasn't for backlash over their criminal indifference during Katrina, coupled with an election year....they would attend their convention and not give a thought to the death and destruction....but now they'll use that death and destruction...share the stage with it...use it. Exploit it. McCain will probably even attend any funerals...

[Dead Elephant]

3. The Hurricane will work in McSame's favor

This will distract people to what would of been a huge mess at the RNC convention.
They wont have to have awkward speeches from Bush and Cheney.
The networks will also not show what would have been a very lack luster convention compared to the Democrats.

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[lonestarnot]

6. And McSame can eat more cake?

I think you could be a little right, but not significantly so.

[razorman]

5. Actually, this is a smart move on his part.

President Bush, knowing that McCain needs desperately to separate himself from the his administration, but not wanting to make it obvious by avoiding the convention, can use the hurricane as an excuse to stay away, and perhaps try to redeem himself for the way Katrina was handled. Everyone in offices at all levels, both Democrats and Republicans, would be morons not to have learned from the previous experience.
We should not get complacent, though, by assuming that Gustave will turn out to be disastrous for the Republicans. Having been burned by the public perception of the Katrina aftermath, authorities at all levels seem to be much more on the ball regarding Gustave.
If things go much better this time around, look for the Republicans to shower praise on the the Feds, and especially on Gov. Jindal of La., saying that the difference between the two events is a Republican in the governor's office. Mark my words, Bobby Jindal is being groomed for much bigger things in their party. Sorry for wandering off topic, but I think it all fits together.

[LuckyLib]

10. You are correct -- there couldn't be a more perfect storm situation,

one that keeps Bush/Cheney from having to appear on stage. McCain wins, they win, the Repugs at the convention win, the American people don't have to hear those nitwits, and they get to come across as hunkered down for "emergency watch." The convention will be a big fizzle, and they'll play their compassion for all its worth.

[razorman]

11. And it might just work.

Too much jeering or self-righteousness on our part during this crisis will only make us look bad. Look what the hidden video of Don Fowler is doing right now. The R's don't really have to do anything but get through this without stepping on their own feet to look better than after Katrina. Hell, the Republicans may even make themselves look good by canceling their convention and saving their money for the campaign.

[rooboy]

7. Shit I hope he cancelled his golf game as well. n/t

[llmart]

9. Mother Nature just gave the Repugs......

what they wanted - a way for Bush/Cheney to not be there without it looking too obvious. Truth be known, they knew having them there would be the last nail in the coffin for McSame but they had to have a damned good reason to bow out.

[OhioChick]

17. Bingo! n/t

[llmart]

18. By the way, OhioChick.....

I'm originally from NE Ohio and just got off the phone with my 63-year old sister who has never voted in her life and she said, "I already have my Obama bumper sticker on my car." She said that there is no way in hell Ohio is going for McLame.

[nodehopper]

20. Diebold might have other ideas, in Ohio especially.

[MichiganVote]

12. Must be meeting with the Oil boys again.

[Earth_First]

13. Bullsh*t

The GOP wants to separate themselves as far as possible from these two. It's not that they have turned down the offer, they were UNINVITED to participate in their party nomination because of the kiss of death that would ensue.

If the GOP is good at anything, it's making well-calculated moves to garner the most effective political gain out of EVERY decision made.

What's even more disgusting is that they are playing this as a decision to be at the side of human compassion; an emotion that the two of these sub-human individuals know NOTHING about.

:puke:

[FloridaJudy]

14. Perfect timing

It gives Bu$h an excuse for skipping the convention - I can hear the Repukes sighing with relief even now. The last thing they need is to remind the public who they put in office. And it gets Georgie Boy a last chance to look like a real President.

Of course, you know - George being George - he's gonna muck it up anyway.

[Mind_your_head]

15. That graphic......

:rofl: - it's soooooo perfect!

:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[dflprincess]

16. Yes, but Pickles arrived in town today

I just saw that on blurb for the local news.

Perhaps they'll send Mama Bush down to the Gulf so she can again demonstrate her great compassion for people.

[olddad56]

19. they can't be bothered, they have wars to plot, people to kill, and civil rights to destroy.

[FuckYouAROCK]

21. Haha!

[BearSquirrel2]

22. Yo Bush-head ...

Would you just stay in Washington and do your fucking job!!! They don't need your help "on the ground". They need your help making phone calls throughout the bureaucracy making sure all the necessary resources are available!!!