The real reason the Republican convention is being cut back:

[hedgehog]

The speeches are being limited, the delegates are being told to raise money (for hurricane survivors?) and John McCain is talking about skipping the convention entirely. The reason for this is:

[baldguy]

1. 2fer: keep reminders of the GOP failure with Katrina at a minimum, and keep the Paulites in check.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

5. Is the Ron Paul convention still a go?

Hope the MSM covers it.

[ObamaKerryDem]

Because they know it would/will suck ass, esp. after our convention..

so the least attention on it, the better.

[underpants]

2. They danced on the 9/11 graves in 2004 but now Oh they can't be seen partying or anything

[dubeskin]

3. They are just trying to pass it up

They know the fucked up badly these past 8 years. Connecting Bush/Cheney to McCain would ensure a loss in the election, and incumbent Reps and Senators are afraid of losing their seats. Their platform is weak: "Stay in Iraq, Christianity national religion, lower corporate taxes, higher gas prices, etc."

[opihimoimoi]

4. Nobody but some Staff and Hookers at the Convention site....

It is a DOOMED Convention even if Gustav went EAST

CCD...Convention Collapse Disorder not seen Since Roman Times when them Hordes came to town

[frogcycle]

6. because they are

W H I N E R S !

[mzmolly]

7. Here's the real reason:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/politico/20080831/pl_politico/13025

"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."

............................

"But, in cold political terms, this could be a very good thing for McCain. At the very least, it pulls an unpopular president and vice president away from here at a time when Democrats are ready to hit McCain with a barrage of ads and talking points linking him to Bush."

In other words, this is not a choice made by McCain, to put "Country first." It's about winning at all costs and attempting to capitalize on a national tragedy, once again. It's a way to distance their failed President from their failed nominee. It's a way to avoid having to follow our brilliant, inspiring convention with their lame attempt to generate enthusiasm in their Party. IE, it's political calculation at it's worst.