Gustav Grows Stronger
Gustav is picking up power and could become a hurricane today before reaching western Cuba.
People along the Gulf Coast are preparing for the storm. Gov. Bobbie Jindal (R-LA) has put the state on alert for possible evacuations. Govs. Charlie Crist (R-FL), Rick Perry (R-TX) and Haley Barbour (R-MS) have also made emergency declarations. Republican leaders are considering a delay to the convention.
The Republican convention may go on without the Gulf Coast Govs, but the stage will be colder without the star power of Jindal and Crist. The governors would join a list of Republican candidates that are avoiding the convention at a time when the party's brand is hurting. It is unclear if the storm will keep President Bush away. At yesterday's daily news briefing WH press sec. Dana Perino said it was too soon to make scheduling changes. Bush's presence at the convention three years after Katrina while a hurricane looms off the coast can't be something GOP strategists are excited about.
UPDATE: Gustav becomes a hurricane (NWS).
-- Michael Olson
12:16 PM ET | 08-29-2008 | permalink
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