By Joe Arnold
No Republicans would talk political strategy on Monday, being extremely deferential to the damage reports from Hurricane Gustav. Regardless of what they aren't saying to the media, there is no question that the GOP is taking the Gustav effect into account as they plot their next moves.
The biggest benefit the GOP appears to get from Gustav canceling opening night is that it takes President Bush and Vice-President Cheney out of the picture. With the Obama campaign doing all it can to tie McCain to the Bush Presidency, it denies the Democrats that reminder. However, President Bush may appear on Tuesday night via satellite.
Gustav relief fits nicely into the McCain campaign's "Country First" theme at the RNC. Delegates were asked to text message cash donations for hurricane relief and one delegate tells me that delegates will assemble "care packages" for Gulf Coast residents.
While the Sarah Palin announcement stole the thunder from Barack Obama's speech last week, Gustav overshadowed her in Sunday and Monday news coverage. As it turns out, Gustav limited the amount of coverage the media could dedicate to the revelation that Palin's 17 year old daughter is pregnant.
These are crucial days for Sarah Palin. As a virtual unknown, most Americans are getting a first impression. Is it the speech she gave on Friday, her pregnant daughter or her upcoming speech at the RNC?
Leave a comment