Second Hurricane Sends GOP Delegates Scrambling

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- As the Republican National Convention began this week, GOP delegates from Gulf Coast states in the path of Hurricane Gustav scrambled South to protect their homes.

And now a second hurricane could affect the convention. Before the convention wraps up Thursday, delegates from some Atlantic coast states plan to bailout early to prepare for the approach of Hurricane Hanna, perhaps as soon as today.

Cleo Steele, an alternate delegate from North Myrtle Beach, S.C., who lives less than a mile from the ocean, plans to head back to South Carolina on Thursday before John McCain accepts his party's nomination in a primetime speech.

"It's a big disappointment. I've been here since Sunday, and I wanted to be there to watch. But you do what you have to do. I imagine I'll catch it on TV at home," she said.

Republicans can't seem to catch a break from the weather this month. The McCain campaign had hoped to spend four straight days beginning Monday talking about his biography and attacking Barack Obama.

Gustav forced the party to exclude most political content from Monday's session and focus on hurricane relief efforts. The party resumed previously scheduled political speeches Tuesday, and expected to keep them up through the week.

It's unclear what impact Hanna will have on the convention. Current forecasts predict it making landfall somewhere between South Florida and South Carolina around Friday morning as a weak hurricane or tropical storm.

But the effects of the system could be felt on the coast a full day earlier, which could again distract national attention from the convention.

McCain is likely to accept the nomination on Thursday night in prime time, though organizers caution that the convention schedule could still change.

If McCain does speak Thursday, South Carolina State House Speaker Bobby Harrell won't be watching from the floor. Harrell, a delegate, plans to leave St. Paul Thursday morning to help the state, his family in Charleston, S.C., and his State Farm insurance agency prepare for the storm.

"I need to be at home on Friday when it comes," he said.

Though forecasters do not expect a repeat of Hurricane Hugo, a powerful storm that devastated South Carolina in 1989, Harrell said experience has taught him forecasts can change at any time.

"This isn't Hugo - yet. People still need to be prepared," he said.

State Rep. Alan Clemmons, a delegate from Myrtle Beach, S.C., said Tuesday that he wasn't sure how the storm would affect his convention plans.

"We're prepared to head out if need be, but it all depends on the movement of the storm," he said. "Right now, we're just watching Hanna very closely to see where she's headed."

Sean Mussenden can be reached at 202-662-7668 or smussenden@mediageneral.com

Former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani is to address the convention in primetime.

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, McCain's vice presidential nominee, is also expected to speak tonight. The rest of the schedule was not available as of press time.

QUOTABLE

"You can close your eyes and see God speaking to you," McCain campaign manager Rick Davis, talking about former Sen. Fred Thompson's voice. Thompson, who is also an actor, narrated a video biography of McCain's life to play at the convention.

NEWSMAKER

Former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani, 64, dropped out of the Republican presidential primary race, after placing third in the Florida primary Jan. 29.

However that doesn't mean he's avoiding the convention.

He was slated to deliver the convention's keynote address Tuesday night, but in the wake of Hurricane Gustav's scheduling changes he was postponed a day.

His speech text is in flux, too.

"It keeps changing, every day," he said.

FAST FACTS

- The last time the Republican National Convention was held in St .Paul was in 1892, when the party nominated Benjamin Harrison.

- 45,000 delegates, volunteers, media and other guests are expected to attend the convention.

- Minneapolis-Saint Paul is expected to receive an estimated $150-$160 million economic boost from the convention.

- During the last presidential election, 85 percent of eligible voters were registered in Minnesota.

- The last president who did not attend his party's convention was Lyndon Johnson in 1968.

NOTABLE

With the RNC getting back on schedule, Cindy McCain said she's looking forward to introducing her family to America.

"I believe that as a good family unit ... that we can do this job and we can do it well," she said at a breakfast for New Hampshire and South Carolina delegates.

She talked about her four children and said youngest daughter Bridget was also in St. Paul. "She's actually enjoying it for a 17-year-old," McCain said.

ON THE WEB

Get a laugh-out-loud look at conventioneers' hats and go inside the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul., Minn., with exclusive videos, photos and more on www.mgwashington.com.