RNC opens with appeal for Gustav aid

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Republicans, determined to propel Sen. John McCain of Arizona to the White House, opened their storm-shortened national convention Monday amid distractions involving running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.

Delegates had scarcely settled into their seats when it was disclosed a lawyer had been hired to represent the Alaska governor in an investigation of her firing of the state’s public safety commissioner. The other disclosure was personal, not political — the pregnancy of her 17-year-old unmarried daughter.

The convention’s opening session was abbreviated as Hurricane Gustav hit the Gulf Coast, sparing New Orleans the type of damage inflicted by Hurricane Katrina about three years ago.

President Bush skipped his planned speech to go to disaster and relief centers, determined to avoid a repeat of the disaster mismanagement of Katrina.

McCain was in Waterville, Ohio, where he helped pack supplies to be sent to the Gulf region.

Both men’s wives sparked cheers when they appeared before the delegates, shunning politics to urge contributions to help storm victims.

“This is a time when we take off our Republican hats and put on our American hats,” Cindy McCain said.

While the opening day convention program was short of political rhetoric, aides said McCain was likely to deliver his nomination acceptance speech as scheduled on Thursday.

They added they would determine the podium schedule for the balance of the week on a day-to-day basis.

Some Republicans were eager for a more traditional convention week.

“Are people disappointed? Sure. You want the full convention experience,” said Mike McDaniel, a delegate from Indiana and former state GOP chairman.

But he said the party made the right move to suspend the convention.

“I think people are gonna roll with this and be flexible,” he said. “If it fizzles out, well good, we can get back to task. If it doesn’t, we’ll go with it day to day.”

-Staff writer Kristi Oloffson contributed to this report from St. Paul, Minn.