Gustav Throws GOP Convention Up In the Air

Hurricane Gustav will likely remove President Bush from the Republican National Convention and see John McCain delivering his acceptance speech from amid the rubble, if the “storm of the century” hits the Gulf Coast as hard as predicted. Convention officials have created a five-state working group to update and assist delegates from the hurricane zone, reports Politico, and McCain is scheduled to be in Jackson, Miss. today.

Planners have been reluctant to announce any definite changes to the convention schedule until the storm’s path is more clear, despite pressure from TV networks. And though organizers say the show will go on—even if subdued—McCain says rescheduling is a possibility. The convention must be held at some point or else the Republicans can’t put McCain on the ballot in all 50 states. (More Hurricane Gustav stories.)