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02 September 2008
Republicans Encouraged to Aid Those Affected by Hurricane Gustav
President Bush, Barack Obama also ask Americans to help with hurricane aid
St. Paul, Minnesota -- Having limited the opening day of the Republican National Convention on September 1 to official party business, presumed presidential nominee John McCain encouraged delegates to help those affected by Hurricane Gustav.
As the hurricane struck the Gulf Coast region on the opening day of the convention, McCain and other party leaders encouraged delegates and other convention participants to help those impacted by the storm. (See “Republican Party Quietly Opens National Convention.”)
“It's time to open our hearts and wallets ... for those American citizens under the shadow of a natural disaster," McCain said August 31.
Party leaders echoed McCain’s word inside the convention hall. As he called the convention to order, Republican Party Chairman Mike Duncan said, “We respond and we take care of our own.” He then asked delegates to pull out their cell phones and text-message the Red Cross with a donation pledge.
First lady Laura Bush and potential first lady Cindy McCain also asked delegates to donate to the cause, promoting a Web site for those interested in donating to relief efforts.
“When such events occur, we are reminded that first, we are all Americans -- and that our shared American ideals will always transcend political parties and partisanship,” Laura Bush said.
"I would ask that each one of us commit to join together to aid those in need as quickly as possible,” Cindy McCain said.
Outside the convention hall, the party quickly organized fundraisers and, with the help of Target Corp., FedEx Corp. and the Red Cross, set up an operation at the nearby Minneapolis Convention Center to assemble aid packages for the region.
Other groups heeded the call for help as well: Many festivities planned for delegates and political leaders in St. Paul and neighboring Minneapolis have been restructured to focus on raising money for humanitarian aid. Even in media lounges, where members of the press can get free food and drinks, staff members’ tip jars were replaced with boxes asking for assistance funds.
The Republican Party chartered flights for delegates from the states affected by the hurricane -- including Louisiana, Texas and Mississippi -- who wanted to return home to deal with the storm’s impact.
LEADERS OF BOTH PARTIES FOCUS ON GULF COAST
McCain and his running mate, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, toured an emergency operations center in Mississippi ahead of the storm August 31. McCain visited a disaster relief organization in Ohio on September 1, and might go to the Gulf Coast region after Hurricane Gustav passes.
Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama also changed his plans because of the hurricane, postponing campaign trips to monitor events. Supporters who had signed up to receive Obama’s text message announcing his vice-presidential candidate two weeks ago received another text message -- asking them to donate to the Red Cross.
President Bush and Vice President Cheney were scheduled to address delegates on the opening night of the convention, but cancelled their plans ahead of the hurricane. While it is unlikely Bush will attend the convention, he may address delegates via satellite later in the week.
Instead, President Bush visited emergency operation centers in Texas. The president said improved cooperation among federal and local governments helped the Gulf Coast region better prepare for this storm as compared to Hurricane Katrina, which hit the same region three years ago.
“Nobody is happy about these storms. Everybody is praying for everybody's safety,” Bush said. “But I'm confident that after the storm passes and there's a human need, it will be met because of the generosity of the American people.”
