Like an African Tiger on the hunt for food during feeding time in the remote wilderness, the GOP is on the prowl to scarf up as much political benefit as they can during their national convention as Hurricane Gustav roars off the coast of New Orleans.
Much of the attention on the looming Category 3 hurricane is attributed to redemption for the way the government handled the Hurricane Katrina aftermath, where government officials admitted to profound mistakes and costly oversights that had cost many people their possessions – and their lives.
Watch as McCain carefully maneuvers himself into position in New Orleans, getting as much face time as he can as his party makes his nomination official up north in Minnesota – out of harm’s way. If McCain ends up giving his speech remotely from New Orleans, surely an emphasize on McCain’s presence in the middle of the disaster will season the speech.
The sensitivity of McCain politicizing the event is alive and well among convention workers. Most realize that if the government handles the tragedy well, the Arizona senator will likely benefit politically, but if the government botches it yet again, the campaign will suffer the consequences that taking a risk like this naturally involves. It seems McCain is “all in” in the Big Easy.
McCain and VP-pick Sarah Palin flew to Mississippi today to enjoy some of the spotlight as the hurricane gathers strength over the warm Gulf waters. Shaking hands and acting concerned, look for John McCain to soak as much political water out of his storm as he can in a play to show the American people that he is on top of things. Natural disasters can make – or break – politicians.
President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney have already canceled appearances during the week.
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