Republican National Convention - First Night - Part I

While no one expected the Republican National Convention to be a mirror image of the Democratic Convention, the scaled back barebones first night of the convention is showing the minimalist approach required to address the conflicting needs of dealing with Hurricane Gustav and an important national political event.

It was the right decision. The lives of those in the path of Gustav are far more important than the pomp and circumstance of a convention.

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One side effect of the low key first night of the Republican Convention is the media being left with little to report. Some media operations have switched over to covering Hurricane Gustav, while others are left with little to do until the opening gavel. Quite a few of the convention delegates from the Gulf States have left St. Paul, returning to their home states to be with their families or to help with relief efforts.

A few speeches are planned, one by First Lady Laura Bush and another by Cindy McCain. Again, the speeches are expected to be minimalist, dealing with the opening of the convention, some convention business matters that must be dealt with, and plans for convention attendees to help deal with the effects of Hurricane Gustav.

President Bush and Vice President Cheney canceled their appearances at the convention tonight. Bush headed instead to Austin, Texas to one of the emergency operations centers to oversee coordination of rescue and recovery efforts.

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Coverage of the first night of the Republican National Convention will start this evening.