Minneapolis-St. Paul -- Hurricane Gustav hadn't even blown into New Orleans and it was already blowing up plans for the Republican National Convention, just as conservatives were hoping to capitalize on the momentum following Sarah Palin's selection as John McCain's running mate.

Already, nearly all activities at the GOP today have been canceled.

The party says for now it will only be handling official business. Spokespeople say they do not want to take Gustav lightly and appear to be partying while a national disaster approaches.

However, the timing could not be WORSE for the Republicans. The storm, which made landfall on Monday afternoon, comes one week after the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, which is blamed for at least 1,800 American deaths. For Republicans, their handling of the weather has been the source of the great controversy, and at times, outrage. Thus, it makes perfect sense that with just a hint that the storm may cause damage to already fragile, barely repaired levees, the RNC would be conducted as a play it by ear event. ...



Meanwhile, as the rush was on to get out of New Orleans, there was no rush to get to the GOP convention here in the Xcel Center.

Many headline speakers won't be here, such as President George Bush, Vice President Cheney, and California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, while others, like Florida Governor Charlie Crist and Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, are iffy at best. It's understandable, the National Hurricane Center expected Hurricane Gustav to hit on the right side of the "Big Easy," which could be devastating because the strongest part of the surge would be on that side.

You can't blame the Republicans though. The public fallout out from Hurricane Katrina irreparably damaged the Bush administration's image in the eyes of the public; a slow response and even less progress in the years since has all Republicans on edge, hoping this time things go smoother. John McCain's camp knows this, which is why he was attending a storm preparation briefing today in Pearl, Miss. Meanwhile, Bush scrapped plans to speak at the convention and headed to Texas where he is closer to the storm-affected area The Republicans want the world to see that they are compassionate and care about our fellow countrymen on the Gulf Coast.

Better yet, they want to win the White House and they know that Democratic Presidential Nominee Barack Obama is watching. In fact, he pointed out the GOP's failures in New Orleans during his historic acceptance speech just last week. The sting from the Democratic National Convention still lingers and now their party convention is being cut short by a hurricane almost 1,200 miles away from Minnesota. Not to mention, the GOP convention was the coming out party for McCain's surprise VP pick, Sarah Palin, the self-proclaimed "Hockey Mom" (whatever that means is still a mystery to most of the country.)

Well on the bright side, Minnesota is a hockey state, so maybe she will blend right in. To bad there is no one here to greet her.