First day of Republican convention abbreviated

John McCain just announced that most of the scheduled activities Monday at the Republican National Convention will be suspended because of Hurricane Gustav, and instead focus on helping any victims.

"We are facing a great national challenge and the possibility of a great national disaster," he said via satellite from St. Louis, urging delegates who will formally nominate him for president to "take off our Republican hats and put on our American hats" and open their "hearts and wallets."

Mike Duncan, chairman of the Republican National Committee, said the convention will be called to order, the delegations seated, and the rules and party platform adopted. "That's all we will do tomorrow," said McCain's campaign manager, Rick Davis.

But then the convention will be adjourned without any speeches, Davis said. The rest of the convention schedule through Thursday depends on what Gustav does, he said.

McCain the praised coordination of local, state, and federal disaster preparedness officials. "I have every expectation we will not see the mistakes of Katrina repeated," he said.

He noted that hurricane paths are often unpredictable, so he quote Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour to "pray for the best and prepare for the worst."

McCain did say that he looked forward to the convention and said the enthusiasm for his new running mate, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, "has been incredible and magnificent."

"I knew I made the right choice, but it's been confirmed," he said.

Democrat Barack Obama is also reacting to the hurricane, saying today that he will ask his huge political network of donors and volunteers to help victims.

"I think we can get tons of volunteers to travel down there, if it becomes necessary," Obama told reporters after attending St. Luke's Lutheran Church in Lima, Ohio.

"I think we can activate an e-mail list of a couple of million people who want to give back," he said. Donations could include cash, goods and individual labor, he said, according to the Associated Press.

President Bush and Vice President Cheney have cancelled plans to come to St. Paul.

Republicans do not want to be seen celebrating while the Gulf Coast braces itself for another tragedy. Politically, the timing could not be worse -- the last thing the GOP wants at the kick-off of the general election is to remind voters of the Bush administration's tragically slow response to Katrina and its victims, a political disaster for the president and his party.

House Minority Leader John Boehner, speaking to reporters on the floor of the convention hall, said to expect announcements on changes to the convention schedule "in several hours."

"Our concern is about people on the Gulf Coast who are in harm's way as we speak, and John McCain's concern is about those people," he said.

At a luncheon sponsored by the Christian Science Monitor, Boehner said: "The convention is going to be handled on a day-by-day basis. There will be some convention business tomorrow afternoon [Monday]. It is doubtful that there will be any kind of a program tomorrow night."

As for the potential impact of Hurricane Gustav: "I think you'll see a commitment on the part of the convention and all of our delegates, alternates and friends to take part in public service. Part of that will be a significant fundraising drive to help those charities that are clearly going to be stressed as a result of this impending disaster."