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GOP Asked To Put On 'American Hats'

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By BILLY HOUSE and WILLIAM MARCH

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 1, 2008

Updated: 09/01/2008 12:22 am

ST. PAUL, Minn. - John McCain and Republicans on Sunday significantly toned down their big presidential nominating bash here, a week normally characterized by silly political hats, feisty partisan rhetoric and celebration.

Instead, McCain asked Republicans to take off their GOP hats and put on "American hats" in sober anticipation of a hurricane due to make landfall today on the Gulf Coast near New Orleans and another potential hurricane that may hit closer to home for Floridians.

Most of today's Republican National Convention first-day events and political speeches are canceled.

Activities will be limited to passing the party platform and other technical steps required to ensuring McCain's nomination - and prayer breakfasts, such as one being held by the Florida delegates.

President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney, who had been scheduled to be tonight's headline speakers, both announced they won't be coming to the convention at all this week, and instead are focusing on the storms.

And with parts of Florida potentially in the path of two huge storms, it is "highly unlikely" that Gov. Charlie Crist will attend, said his spokeswoman, Erin Isaac. Crist was to give a speech formally introducing McCain on Thursday. The possibility he may give such an address via satellite is uncertain.

The restructuring came as Hurricane Gustav approached Louisiana during the third anniversary weekend of Hurricane Katrina's Aug. 29, 2005, landfall.

And Tropical Storm Hanna continued to move in a path that could have it hitting southern Florida as the week comes to an end.

The remainder of the week's convention schedule also was in limbo. McCain campaign manager Rick Davis said there are no commitments in the convention schedule beyond 6:30 p.m. today, and that plans would hinge on Gustav.

Some events were canceled or reshaped into fundraising efforts for organizations that help potential storm victims, including a number of events scheduled for Florida's delegates, alternates and guests.

"We're modifying our schedule, toning it down, but continuing to have delegates participate in some events. I think it's a good balance," said Florida Republican Party Chairman Jim Greer, one of six people from Florida, Louisiana and Texas who have been monitoring the storm situation and making suggestions to the McCain camp on how to proceed.

The Specter Of Katrina

Mindful of the criticism Bush faced for a slow federal government response to Katrina three years ago, the "balance" that McCain and Republicans are trying to achieve is to hold an event that will help fire up their party faithful, yet not appear complacent in the face of two storms.

Images of balloons and fiery partisan speeches in Minnesota, they fear, could be politically disastrous if viewed on TV alongside video of mass evacuations and flooding.

"It's time to take our Republican hats off and put our American hats on," McCain told reporters here by video hookup from St. Louis. McCain visited Mississippi on Sunday before the storm was expected to hit the region.

He also gave his assessment of the performance of government agencies as the two storms approached, saying, "I'm happy to report to you that the coordination and work that is being done at all levels appears to be excellent."

So Far, Florida Delegates Are Staying

For Florida's delegates and others in St. Paul, there appeared to be only mild concern about either storm hitting Florida and causing significant damage.

Greer said an offer was being made by the state party to pay the cost of anyone who wanted to exchange their flight ticket home to an earlier flight, but that no one had yet taken it.

"Of course, I'm concerned," said Kara Tucker, 24, a delegate alternate from Jacksonville, about the potential of Hanna developing and picking up steam up Florida's coast.

She said she called her parents, but that it's too early to think about scrapping the week altogether and going home.

"I'm keeping an eye on it," she said.

Tony DiMatteo, chairman of the Pinellas County Republican Executive Committee, said he also has been worried about his home since coming up to Minnesota on Thursday.

"But we can't stop what we're doing; it's serious business," he said of the party's presidential nominating convention.

A spokesman for U.S. Rep. Adam Putnam of Bartow said he did not know whether the congressman will still make his scheduled Tuesday address to the convention. It also was uncertain whether U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez will make his scheduled Thursday speech.

But Greer announced he had decided to change the format of today's breakfast honoring the Florida delegation.

The breakfast will now be a multidenominational prayer breakfast focused on the potential effect of Gustav on the Gulf Coast.

He also said a scheduled Thursday party for delegates will be canceled and the money for that party - about $25,000 - will be donated to the American Red Cross and other groups that assist storm victims.

Reporter Billy House can be reached at bhouse@tampatrib.com or (202) 662-7673. Reporter William March can be reached at wmarch@tampatrib.com or (813) 259-7761.

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