Aug 30, 2008 1:18pm

Cindy McCain to Stephanopoulos: Gustav May Force ‘Drastic’ Reworking of Convention Plans

ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos reports: With Hurricane Gustav bearing down on the Gulf Coast, Cindy McCain said today that she and her husband, presumptive Republican presidential nominee John McCain, are leaving all options on the table for restructuring the upcoming Republican convention in St. Paul, Minn.

"We’re keeping a very close eye on what this hurricane is doing," said McCain, in an exclusive interview airing tomorrow on "This Week with George Stephanopoulos." "If it looks like it’s going to hit, we will, obviously, drastically change our plans."

Gustav, currently a category 4 hurricane, is projected to make landfall in the United States on Monday or Tuesday.  The hurricane has already killed more than 80 people.   

"This is not a time to celebrate," said McCain.

McCain’s full interview airs Sunday morning on "This Week."

User Comments

Posted by: Avembe | August 30, 2008, 1:33 pm 1:33 pm

What they are doing is stalling and trying to figure a way out of the Palin debacle. Good for them…

Posted by: 1percenter | August 30, 2008, 1:38 pm 1:38 pm

GUSTAV=KATRINA=REPUBLICIANS FAILURE!!!

Posted by: READY999 | August 30, 2008, 1:38 pm 1:38 pm

IF CINDY MCCAIN CAN’T TAKE THE HEAT, SHE SHOULD TELL HER HELP TO GET OUT OF THE KITCHEN(S).

Posted by: Mr. Coffee | August 30, 2008, 1:55 pm 1:55 pm

IF CINDY MCCAIN CAN’T TAKE THE HEAT, SHE SHOULD TELL HER HELP TO GET OUT OF THE KITCHEN(S).

Posted by: Mr. Coffee | August 30, 2008, 1:56 pm 1:56 pm

Reports are surfacing raising questions about whether Palin’s youngest child is really hers. There are photos of Palin at 7 months (at a Governor’s conference in Dallas) showing no signs of a pregnancy. Her 16 year old daughter was pulled out of school for 3 or 4 months for ‘Mono’at the time. Palin supposedly delivered one month prematurely. There are no photos or any recollection from anyone that she actually ‘showed’ in spite of the fact that she was 43 and this was her fifth pregnancy. She suddenly announced to everyone that she was seven months pregnant. There is also a picture of her 16 year old where she quite frankly looks pregnant. There is also a wierd but confirmed story about Palin supposedly ‘breaking water’ at eight months while at a conference in Dallas, staying to give a 30 minute speech, not going to the hospital, then traveling 12 hrs back to Alaska by Alaska Air with her water broken! Airline agents said she did not look pregnant. She supposedly had to be induced when she got back to Alaska, despite this being her 5th child. She was back to full time work after only three days, looking as fit as could be and energetic as ususal. This smells like a massive cover-up for her teen daughter, but mainly to protect her image as a rising political star and Governor with many enemies in Alaska. ABC and Drudge need to look in to this.

Posted by: Truth will come out | August 30, 2008, 2:06 pm 2:06 pm

Truth will come out
Oh, come on. Throwing around slander and innuendo is indecent know matter who it is directed to. And who cares whose kids are who’s anyway? As long as they are being loved.

Posted by: jock59801 | August 30, 2008, 2:12 pm 2:12 pm

Ok-I have a problem with the Republican convention in this case. Why are they still even DEBATING what to do. Seems to me they’ve spent a lot of time and energy talking about it-”maybe we should cancel.” CANCEL IT AND GET BACK TO WORK YOU MORONS!

Posted by: David | August 30, 2008, 2:12 pm 2:12 pm

Focus on the Family prayed for rain to come down during Obama’s speech in the stadium on Thursday.
It was an absolutely BEAUTIFUL day. And more importantly more than 38 million people watched it (not including who watched on CSPAN, PBS, or online).
The RNC convention starts on Monday-Thursday. What happens, a hurricane category 4 (Gustav which may be Katrina part 2) comes barreling down on to the United States. The GOp convention may be shortened or postponed.
Is God telling America something?

Posted by: vickie | August 30, 2008, 2:15 pm 2:15 pm

Jock: “Oh, come on. Throwing around slander and innuendo is indecent know matter who it is directed to. And who cares whose kids are who’s anyway? As long as they are being loved.”
That’s also what they said about John Edwards, right? Wrong.

Posted by: Truth will come out | August 30, 2008, 2:35 pm 2:35 pm

I dunno Vickie
I would more impressed if suddenly St Paul was inundated with tornadoes.
I think God is just giving George one last chance before he leaves office to get one thing right.
Hope springs eternal

Posted by: Chuck | August 30, 2008, 2:36 pm 2:36 pm

I think McCain really has serious judgment problems. Not just when it comes to political judgments. He also judges badly when it comes to celebrities. He compared Obama to Paris Hilton when the obvious reference should be a political celebrity called John F Kennedy. And now he has picked a little-known beauty queen when he really should have picked a truly glamorous and widely-known Paris Hilton.

Posted by: Chris | August 30, 2008, 2:37 pm 2:37 pm

Vickie, yes 40 million watched and he got (at most) an 8 point bounce.
Even Bill Clinton got a 20 plus bounce after his convention.
Oops. That’s gotta hurt. Lol.

Posted by: Jo | August 30, 2008, 2:45 pm 2:45 pm

Chris, how is this for bad judgment?
AFter only one year as a senator, he thinks he’s ready to be president, and then starts running.
LOL.
I’ll take an experienced President over an inexperienced VP any day.
But thanks for trying.

Posted by: Jo | August 30, 2008, 2:46 pm 2:46 pm

Not only does Obama have bad judgment, he has incredible arrogance.
Someone who is a good speaker thinks they are ready to be president after one year in the senate?
You gotta be kidding me.
A politician who is THAT arrogant? No thanks. Had enough of those.

Posted by: Jo | August 30, 2008, 2:47 pm 2:47 pm

Avembe quite an eye opener>>>>>>Shows who cares for this country and its people….Any one who put a person in the vee place who can NOT run this country and all he wants is votes should tell people something,,,,,,,Pretty freaken scary ….

Posted by: indp voter | August 30, 2008, 2:55 pm 2:55 pm

Look Cindy, Laura is still first lady and first GOP. IF Laura says it’s on, it’s on. You best be grabbing that hor d’ oeuves tray and start making the rounds.

Posted by: Trish | August 30, 2008, 2:56 pm 2:56 pm

Look, i am a Democrat and love Obama, but this slander against Palin is unacceptable. Even if the youngest baby is not hers, i don’t give a hoot. That’s her business. It’s between her and her family. Please Democrats, when criticizing Palin, stick to the issues that matter to Americans like her utter lack of foreign policy experience.

Posted by: Kevin | August 30, 2008, 3:01 pm 3:01 pm

“Truth”:
Oh, please.
Your comments are sounding like an episode of “Desperte Housewives” or “CSI.”
Mom pretending she’s pregnant and giving birth to cover up daughter’s pregnancy.
OMG, where else will your desperation lead you?

Posted by: Lee | August 30, 2008, 3:01 pm 3:01 pm

I will be the first to forgive Ms. Palin if she is lying about the coverup of her daughter’s pregnancy. Someone will come forward if this is true- they always do- just like John Edwards. No one believed it was possible, but it took the lowly National Enquirer to research and break the story. Honesty always matters.

Posted by: Truth will come out | August 30, 2008, 3:15 pm 3:15 pm

I just heard Sarah Palin speak at a McCain rally in Washington Pennsylvania…
It was the “exact same speech” she gave as her acceptance speech yesterday, but not delivered as well… Plus the crowd booed when she came to her line praising Hillary Clinton!
So what kind of a joke is this? McCain offers us some pretty one trick pony?
She recanted the same tired story, the same lie about the bridge to nowhere.
She actually supported the bridge in 2006, but when the focus came on it and federal funds were cut, she ran away from that support at full speed!
What is this, some kind of an ill conceived beauty pageant? Also McCain just bumbled through his introduction of her as well, making mistake after mistake…
Now he wants us to vote for him and his Rah, rah “yes woman” cheerleader with ZERO National and foreign policy experience??
I don’t think so…..
We need real change in Washington and a real vision – not some ambiguous promise to “reform things.”
Obama/Biden 2008!!!!!!!!

Posted by: Davis | August 30, 2008, 3:25 pm 3:25 pm

Of course the McCain’s consider re-scheduling the RNC if Gustav hits New Orleans. Not because they are concerned about the people of New Orleans, but they want to present a false image to the public of concern.
How do I know McCain is not concerned about the people of New Orleans?
From Newsweek:
Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans on Monday Aug. 29, 2005. While the rest of the nation at world watched their television sets, transfixed by the human tragedy they saw unfolding right before their eyes, where was Sen. McCain?
“It was Aug. 29, 2005, McCain’s 69th birthday, and on the tarmac, Bush presented his old political rival with a cake. The two posed, holding the cake up for cameras, and within seconds, went their separate ways. The cake, melting in the 110-degree Arizona heat, was left behind, uneaten.”
Here’s a link to the photo McCain DOES NOT WANT YOU TO REMEMBER:
http://thinkprogress.org/2008/04/24/flashback-as-katrina-raged-mccain-celebrated-69th-birthday-with-bush/

Posted by: m@cchiavelli | August 30, 2008, 3:26 pm 3:26 pm

Obama won this election Thursday night. Monday night he was winning conservative democrats by 62%. Thursday night he leads them by 79%.
Before Monday he had 79% of Democrats support. Thursday night he recieved 86%. While recieveing 13% of the Republican base.
He ties with McCain amongst men and leads by 13% amongst women.
OBAMA LANDSLIDE.

Posted by: Vanessa | August 30, 2008, 3:38 pm 3:38 pm

Every time I hear Obama speak it’s a slightly different variation on the same theme….and he’s been running for president for 18 months!!!
Palin gives two similar speeches across two days to introduce herself to voters who might not have been glued to their television sets or computers 24-7, and saw her speech yesterday, and you guys are already calling her a “one-trick pony?”
I’m sure once she gets her introductory speeches out of the way, you’ll be hearing much, much, more about their platform.

Posted by: Lee | August 30, 2008, 3:52 pm 3:52 pm

McCain made a great choice. Palin is exactly what America needs- and you don’t need to be a democrat to do it, obviously.

Posted by: James | August 30, 2008, 4:10 pm 4:10 pm

To the sick person who threw out the garbage about Palin’s baby not being hers- I live in AK, and yes, the baby is hers, and yes, at the end, she looked pregnant. For those who insist on calling her a “beauty queen”, you are in the dark about how politically savvy she is and how SMART she is. I don’t hear anyone saying that Obama is TOO HANDSOME to become President or to be taken seriously! Both Obama and Palin exhibit hope and vitality. As far as “eperience”, I would say that, as one of the best governors the great State of Alaska has ever had, she has the same level of experience as Senator Obama. Both are young, smart, attractive, and full of vitality and forward thinking attitudes. She has been a breath of fresh air to this state, and she will bring a breath of fresh air to McCain’s stuffy old campaign.

Posted by: Karen | August 30, 2008, 4:12 pm 4:12 pm

I think its a GREAT idea that the RNC are thinking about turning the RNC into a service event, raising money for the Red Cross and other agencies to help people suffering from Hurricane Gustav!
I was an Obama supporter, but now that Senator McCain chose Sarah Palin and is thinking of doing this for the people on the Gulf Coast, he has my vote. It appears the Democrats and Obama are ALL about themselves, where Senator McCain and the Republicans are ALL about Americans!. Maybe thats why the Republicans chant “U.S.A.” instead of “Yes We Can”, because, the Republicans are ALL about America!
Thank you, Senator McCain and Governor Palin…..you just got another vote from Obama for you!
McCain/Palin 08!

Posted by: tammy | August 30, 2008, 4:21 pm 4:21 pm

For all the sick rumor mongers: Baby Trig Palin’s birth announcement in the Anchorage Daily News. The child has Down’s Syndrome and was born in the hospital near her home in Wasilla. Sarah appears to be a loving and devoted mom to all her five children. Her second youngest, Piper, goes everywhere with her mom who is always patient with her and carrying her in her arms when the little girl is tired. Sarah is a wife, mom, a feminist, and one heck of a smart (and beautiful) politically savvy woman.
http://www.adn.com/politics/story/380560.html

Posted by: Karen R | August 30, 2008, 4:28 pm 4:28 pm

On another site they are saying the RNC is considering making the convention into a telethon for Gustav victims. If they do, Gov. Palin can be the host. She at least seems qualified for that.

Posted by: DMR | August 30, 2008, 4:39 pm 4:39 pm

Hey Karen R. Fox news is reporting that their recent polls show Obama ahead byu 8 points and only about a third thinking Palin is qualified. And that’s Fox news.

Posted by: DMR | August 30, 2008, 4:41 pm 4:41 pm

McCain rolls out his pretty new cheerleader with a LIE, that she alone was responsible for stopping the “bridge to nowhere.”
What a dumb move from the sad old bumbler and his campaign to launch his new VP candidate on a blatant lie!
The story is now bubbling up all over the Internet – By Monday is should be in the MSM. Wait until her first press availability, that is if McCain will even allow one….
Check it out, not only did she not STOP the bridge, she begged for it!
http://thinkprogress.org/2008/08/30/palin-wanted-nowhere-bridges/
We need real change in Washington and a real vision – not some ambiguous promise to “reform things.”
Obama/Biden 2008!!!!!!!!

Posted by: Davis | August 30, 2008, 4:42 pm 4:42 pm

Gallup Tracking 08/27 – 08/29
OBAMA 49%
McCain 41%
Obama +8
Republicans in FREEFALL in polls!!!!!
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2008/president/us/general_election_mccain_vs_obama-225.html

Posted by: Davis | August 30, 2008, 4:45 pm 4:45 pm

The problem with political discourse in America is that everyone is so nasty and ready to dig dirt, no matter how untrue, on the candidates not of their choosing. I am an Alaskan, and I know that Sarah Palin is a wonderful governor. She has fought corruption in the State of Alaska, and most of those she has fought have been Republicans. That said, I am still voting for Obama. So my defending her has to do with the fact that she is not a bimbo, but a very intelligent woman who will go far in politics whether she becomes VP or not. There is also a grave misunderstanding about the nefarious “bridge to nowhere” debaucle. There were 2 bridges, one absolutely necessary near Anchorage and the other, that Sarah did stop -the Gravina Island bridge down across from Ketchikan- not so necessary. This state is HUGE with unique problems with transportion among the largestso the average American cannot fathom the State of AK’s unique situations and hurdles. You’ll all be enjoying a lot of our oil someday, though.
Partisan political opinions aside, what makes me sick, though, is the meanness and hatefulness of these message boards.
Obama & Palin are BOTH attractive and smart and young and inexperienced to the same degree. Whichever one wins, God bless them and give them the judgement to take the reins and lead with integrity -something this last bunch has not done.

Posted by: Karen R | August 30, 2008, 5:02 pm 5:02 pm

It is a serious allegation which should be investigated and the truth sought because Palin is said by locals in Alaska on the net to have lied that the baby is hers when it is her sixteen year old daughter for political reasons. Pregnant photos of her daughter that surfaced on the net today are now blocked.

Posted by: sarah2 | August 30, 2008, 5:35 pm 5:35 pm

“Drastic” reworking of Convention…they are going to act like they care this time.
Even Laura Bush couldn’t call Katrina by its true name she spent a whole speech calling it hurricane Corrina. Out of touch is an understatement for the republicans. They truly don’t give a damn.

Posted by: Money Talks | August 30, 2008, 5:47 pm 5:47 pm

REALITY CHECK
==============
The democrats didn’t get the right
bounce after the convention.
Check previous conventions and you
will get the numbers.
The democrats have a problem
with Obama on the ticket.
I’m an ex-democrat-Hillary supporter
and i left the party the next day
after she withdrew from the race.
Obama is the problem with democrats this year….Dean,Pelosi don’t get it.
Americans vote for president NOT the
VP.
Obama doesn’t qualify for commander
in chief……
REMEMBER ME IN NOVEMBER…..

Posted by: NICHOLAS | August 30, 2008, 5:53 pm 5:53 pm

He met this woman twice in his life time and out of nowhere he chooses her to be his vice president, she was the mayor of a town with 6,000 people, there are more students at my University and she has been the Gov. of Alaska for a year and a half. She knows nothing about foreign policy and in her own words, “I’ve been so focused on state government, I haven’t really focused much on the war in Iraq.” These are times when we need experience and most importantly good judgment. The Obama-Biden ticket offers that. McCain doesn’t offer good judgment and Palin doesn’t offer experience and since she hasn’t been paying attention to Iraq, we won’t know what kind of judgment she has. If McCain is elected, she will be a heartbeat away from the Presidency since he is 72 and has had cancer 4 times, I hope people realize this is a reckless and dangerous pick from McCain.

Posted by: Kathy | August 30, 2008, 6:55 pm 6:55 pm

I am predicting the Palin effects to start — the more I know about her, the more I got excited!! she is so real, and so positive!! She is so exciting!!!
Obama is a fake, now matter how good his speeches are. but Palin, the more you know her the more you think that is the kind of woman we want, I want my daughter to be like her! I disagree with some of her ideas, but I truly admire her character.
I am more confident now McCain will win. There is so much excitement that can be unleashed from the McCain-Palin ticket. and also a female vice president!!!

Posted by: amy | August 30, 2008, 7:03 pm 7:03 pm

GUSTAV IS TO THE GULF STATES AS OBAMA IS TO THE AMERICAN POLITICAL SYSTEM.
SCARY.

Posted by: Mai | August 30, 2008, 7:45 pm 7:45 pm

Those who believe the National Enquirer and such trash about the Sarah Palen family should also believe that Barack and Michelle Obama are heading to divorce court. Seems Obama was over-nighting privately with too many campaign workers while on the trail and that upset Michelle. Also something about a love child or two.
Truth or Trash??????

Posted by: mary | August 30, 2008, 7:53 pm 7:53 pm

Gallup Tracking 08/27 – 08/29
OBAMA 49%
McCain 41%
Obama +8
Republicans in FREEFALL in polls!!!!!
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2008/president/us/general_election_mccain_vs_obama-225.html
Posted by: Davis | Aug 30, 2008 8:45:32 PM
YOU IDIOT…THERE IS ALWAYS A BOUNCE AT THE END OF A CONVENTION…..YOU NEVER CEASE TO AMAZE ME WITH YOUR IGNORANCE!

Posted by: JT | August 30, 2008, 8:00 pm 8:00 pm

The Great Obama should just go down to the New Orleasns shore, put up his hands in front and in a forceful way, shout “GUSTAV, GO AWAY. HOW DARE YOU SCARE OR HARM ALL MY WONDERFUL VOTERS IN NEW ORLEANS.” And the winds and rain will disappear in five minutes. And everyone will really beleive he is the real Messiah and vote for him on November 4.

Posted by: Mary | August 30, 2008, 8:09 pm 8:09 pm

The Great Obama should just go down to the New Orleasns shore, put up his hands in front and in a forceful way, shout “GUSTAV, GO AWAY. HOW DARE YOU SCARE OR HARM ALL MY WONDERFUL VOTERS IN NEW ORLEANS.” And the winds and rain will disappear in five minutes. And everyone will really beleive he is the real Messiah and vote for him on November 4.
Posted by: Mary | Aug 31, 2008 12:09:52 AM
Post a comment
NOW THAT, IS FUNNY!
MCCAIN/PALIN 08!

Posted by: JT | August 30, 2008, 8:15 pm 8:15 pm

Posted by: t | August 30, 2008, 10:27 pm 10:27 pm

Strange how Cindy McCain is using the Bush/Cheney/Rice lingo of “all options on the table” for the convention. That’s a term, which in the past, was used to suggest military threat with Iraq and then Iran. To be using it in lieu of a potential hurricane and its effect on the convention is presumptuous, at the very least, on her part.

Posted by: kat | August 30, 2008, 11:32 pm 11:32 pm

As a Registered Nurse for the last 35 years, I know pregnancy when I see it. Sarah Palen’s daughter looks very pregnant. The hypocrisy of this so-called religious person should be exposed quickly.

Posted by: P | August 31, 2008, 9:56 am 9:56 am

Darned if you do; Darned if you don’t. Nothing makes democrats or liberals happy. If you show concern, you are a fake. If you understand life’s problems, but figure the state/city Leaders have things in hand and will let you know if more is needed from you or don’t act quick enough or even REMEMBER the name of a hurricane, you don’t care. What I find amazing….there isn’t a mass suspension of national games or stopping the enjoyment of Labor Day festivities throughout the nation. I’m sure most of us will think about or say a prayer for those in the South, hopefully, find a way to contribute and then go on w/ our families and either enjoy the Labor Day holiday or work. Life goes on in most of the country even when tragic things happen. Suspending or shortening the convention is a double edged sword….the hotel rooms are paid (by the delegates) so if delegates leave there is a loss. This loss is trickled down to all the staff. Think of the caterers, hotel and convention staff, security, the city of Minneapolis, etc. all have invested time and expect to be paid for there services and effort. If this changes, they may not be paid. Most of these employees aren’t paid much anyhow. And I guess flying delegates back to the South to get their families or things in order is somehow a FAKE concern. It’s nice that Obama may email his followers, but it’d be better esp. with the wealth of campaign funds, if he paid for chartered busses or planes to help those in need immediately. Not leave it up to others.

Posted by: Nancy | August 31, 2008, 1:34 pm 1:34 pm

Cindy what does mean when your Husband says Sarah is his soulmate? Why aren’t you his soulmate???

Posted by: John | August 31, 2008, 5:25 pm 5:25 pm

hhh

Posted by: brit | August 31, 2008, 6:29 pm 6:29 pm

How dare you be offended Cindy Lou?
I am offended that you did not spend time in prison for your theft of narcotics. You also mentioned about you will always be a recovering addict. If you could not cope with the nice cushy life you had, how could you possibly cope with spearheading 1st Lady projects. One idea-Be the poster women for “Don’t do drugs”

Posted by: brit | August 31, 2008, 6:40 pm 6:40 pm

How dare you be offended Cindy Lou?
I’m offended that McCain left his wheelchair bound wife and had an affair and then married you. You made that statement about Vicky…’My husband would never do anything to hurt his family like that.’ Well, yes he would, just ask the first Mrs. McCain. You just don’t get it, you homewrecking, drug abusing, felony commiting, jail dodging @@@@@. No wonder you love your country.

Posted by: brit | August 31, 2008, 6:47 pm 6:47 pm

Focus on Family prayed for rain during Obama’s speech, well God did answer your prayers, he shut down the republican convention.

Posted by: Jo Ann | August 31, 2008, 7:30 pm 7:30 pm

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