McConnell Addresses Covention

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell pounded the gavel and convened the third session of the Republican National Convention. McConnell took to the podium amidst loud applause and whistles. This crowd understands that Senate Republicans are the firewall that protects us from the Pelosi-Reid agenda of higher taxes, weaker national defense and dependence on foreign oil.

McConnell presided over the Colors, Pledge, National Anthem and invocation, and then briefly addressed the Convention. McConnell noted that we are a nation of immigrants, including his wife, Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao.

He noted that upon immigrating to America, John McCain's family began a tradition of defending this country that began with the Revolutionary War and continues today with his two sons in Iraq and a son at the Naval Academy.

McConnell ended his speech with a thumbs up to loud applause.

Well Done, Fred!

We knew from the advance release that Fred Thompson had crafted a masterful skewering of Senator Barack Obama. (Excerpts are below.) What surprised us was his delivery. He never spoke like this during the primary. It turned out Thompson had more fire in the belly to stand up for his friend John McCain than to advance his own political career.

First Lady Laura Bush, Cindy McCain Appeal For Donations For Gustav Victims

First Lady Laura Bush and Cindy McCain drew a standing ovation at the conclusion of the first day of the Republican National Convention. Both emphasized the importance of putting aside partisanship to help those who have been displaced or injured by Hurricane Gustav.

Mrs. Bush introduced a short video in which four of the five Gulf Coast governors updated the delegates on their efforts to prepare for Gustav. Governor Bobby Jindal of Louisiana was unable to participate, given his state's location in the projected path. Governors of all five Gulf Coast states are now Republicans, and it was apparent that they have been actively coordinating with each other to prepare for Gustav, a coordination they attributed to the leadership of President George Bush.

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, even though he had been elected temporary chair of the convention, remained in Kentucky today to oversee the federal response to the approximately 4,000 displaced Gulf Coast residents who came to Kentucky after Hurricane Gustav forced their evacuation.

Update: Here are excerpts provided to the media by the Republican National Convention from the remarks of Mrs. Bush and Mrs. McCain as well as Chairman Duncan regarding Hurricane Gustav relief efforts:

First Lady Laura Bush

On putting the well-being of our fellow citizens first:

"Our first priority for today and in the coming days is to ensure the safety and well-being of those living in the Gulf Coast Region. And to all of those living in the Gulf States, please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you.

"The effect of Hurricane Gustav is just now being measured. 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."

Mrs. Cindy McCain

A call to help the people of the Gulf States:

"I would ask that each one of us commit to join together to aid those in need as quickly as possible. As John has been saying for the last several days, this is a time when we take off our Republican hats and put on our American hats."

Republican National Committee Chairman Robert M. "Mike" Duncan

On the response to Hurricane Gustav:

"We are Republicans. But more importantly, we are proud Americans. And as one nation under God, we come together with prayerful hearts for our country. As we gather in Minnesota, a great storm afflicts our country. And, when one of us is threatened, we are all threatened. As Americans we rise to the challenge. We unite, we respond. We take care of our own."

McCain Urges Convention to Put Gustav Victims First

At Sen. John McCain's urging, the Republican National Convention will set politics aside and focus on helping the victims of Hurricane Gustav, according to RNC Chair Mike Duncan and McCain campaign manager Rick Davis.

Consequently, today's convention will include the official business required by law, followed by a short video regarding relief efforts for Gustav from the governors of the affected states. First Lady Laura Bush will make brief remarks to introduce the video, and Cindy McCain will make concluding remarks, which like Mrs. Bush's, will focus on raising money for relief efforts, not politics.

In addition -- also at the behest of McCain -- the convention has organized its own relief effort of assembling comfort boxes (including toiletries and nonperishable food). Target has donated the contents of the boxes, thousands of convention volunteers and delegates will pack them, and Fed Ex will deliver them to the Gulf victims.

Yesterday, the McCain campaign chartered a plane to fly home all affected delegates who wanted to check on their homes and families. Davis anticipates that those delegates will return to the convention with family and friends who have been forced to evacuate; the McCain campaign again will provide the transportation.

Other RNC responses include the establishment of working groups for state delegations in Gustav's path, information clearing houses and a phone bank to raise relief money. The RNC has worked with Gulf Coast governors to identify the charities that can most quickly respond to the needs of those in Gustav's path.

Davis anticipates that both McCain and vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin will accept their nominations at the convention. Palin arrived in Minneapolis yesterday, and is using today to work on her acceptance speech and "catch her breath," according to Davis. Palin is apparently staying at the same hotel as the Kentucky delegation. Everyone who enters the hotel has the handle of their luggage and its zipper checked for residue of explosives.

Gustav Alert at Convention

The Republican National Convention, at least with respect to Monday's activities, was drastically scaled back today. Released to the media earlier this afternoon was the following announcement:

At the recommendation of Sen. John McCain, the 2008 Republican National Convention announced substantial changes to the convention’s program and actions being taken to help with Hurricane Gustav relief efforts. On Monday, all program activities beyond the official business that must be conducted in accordance with party rules will be cancelled. Among the other actions announced today are the formation of the Affected States Working Group, the establishment of an Affected States Information Center, and the chartering of a DC-9 to transport affected delegates.

Rick Davis, campaign manager for McCain 2008, announced that the upcoming Republican National Nominating Convention is making serious revisions to the convention program and surrounding activities. Davis said, "We are deeply concerned about the safety and welfare of the residents of the Gulf State region. Our top priority is to assist those who will be affected by Hurricane Gustav. This is not a time for politics or celebration; it is a time for us to come together as Americans and assist the residents of the Gulf States."

Monday's proceedings will begin at 2:30 p.m. CDT, for a limited duration to conduct official business that must be addressed. Davis explained:

"In order for the Republican Party to officially exist and for Senator McCain to qualify for the ballot, we are - by law - required to conduct specific official business. At this point, our program on Monday has been scaled back and will only include what party rules governing the nomination of our candidates for president and vice president require. We will perform the official business as required. In addition, we have set aside time to make delegates and Americans watching our proceedings at home aware of what they can do to assist in relief efforts designed to help those who will be affected by Hurricane Gustav."

Also in today's announcement were details as to steps taken by the McCain campaign to address Convention-related concerns arising from Gustav:

The McCain campaign has also taken several additional steps to assist delegates from the Gulf States, including the formation of an Affected States Working Group, the chartering of a DC-9 to transport affected delegates, and the establishment of an Affected States Information Center.

It appears that Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell's speech, originally scheduled for Monday, will be postponed until later in the week. He's in good company since the President, First Lady and Vice President's speeches for tomorrow were also cancelled.

As for the nomination of Senator John McCain and Governor Sarah Palin, Davis concluded:

"At some point between Monday and Thursday evening, we will convene once again to complete the activities needed to qualify Senator McCain and Governor Palin for the ballot in all 50 states. Beyond that, all we can say is that we will monitor what is happening and make decisions about other convention business as details become available."