The perfect storm

By Ron Beasley

I feel better than I have for months after Wedneday's activities at the DNC.  We have seen the worst of Bill Clinton the last few months but last night we saw the best.  And who was that guy who claimed to be John Kerry. I think they are going after McCain the right way - John McCain the candidate is not the same John McCain that was the maverick Senator.  Yes I know, he never was much of a maverick but that line of attack won't fly.  There is plenty of analysis out there so I'm not going to say much more about this week.

But what about next week and the RNC.  It what must be one of the great ironies of all time a major hurricane may hit New Orleans on the opening day of the Republican Convention. 

Storm could swamp GOP convention

Planners of the Republican National Convention in St. Paul held emergency conversations Wednesday about what to do if a tropical storm continues on its track as a potential Category 3 hurricane threatening New Orleans.

Gustav’s projected path suggests possible landfall on the convention’s opening day — Labor Day.

The storm could threaten everything from President Bush’s Monday night address to the broader Republican message of effective government management.

Local officials fear a Katrina II — a rerun of the storm that ravished New Orleans and badly damaged Bush’s image. Aides said Louisiana Sen. Mary Landrieu planned to leave the Democratic National Convention in Denver and head back home.

The liberal group Progressive Accountability planned to try to embarrass Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) on Friday for his response to the Katrina strike, claiming his was the 40th senator to visit New Orleans afterwards.

“We will be making sure everyone knows it is not just Bush who has a Katrina problem,” said the group’s Eddie Vale. “McCain was eating birthday cake with Bush after the levees broke. And then he voted against oversight, against medicaid for victims, and against unemployment benefits for victims.”

The storm could not only distract from convention coverage but will remind everyone of one of the most visible failures of the Bush administration.  How will Pat Robertson explain that?

Update

Via Think Progress Bush may not speak at the RNC Monday night.  Smart Move!