CNN

As a campaign expense, these plane trips will allowed and also tax-deductible-while trying to impress the GOP faithful with McCain's "benevolent efforts" to "care for" his working supporters. Those campaign organizers are paying attention to "how it all looks" all the time. The history of the GOP and it''s actions over the past eight years has convinced me that their actions appear to be for their own selfish purposes. If the result happens to benefit others, the benefit is usually unimportant. Their goal always seems to be to benefit the party machine.

IMHO, the Democratic attacks are not warranted. I'd like to break down some of their criticism.

1. McCain votes with Bush 90% of the time. That's not change.
Obama votes with the Democratic majority 96% of the time. Obama is more of the same if you view their voting record.

2. McCain was out of his mind to select Sarah Palin. This selection was brilliant. She is a strong conservative that brought excitement to the conservative base of the republican party. In addition, she has brought reform and cracked down against corruption in her own party. The Democrat's argument of lack of experience is not valid as Obama is fairly inexperienced as well. Sarah has been to Iraq-contrary to what an Obama support posted earlier. I have yet to seen Obama or Biden break away from their party for the interests of the American people.

3. McCain does not care about the American people. He was a POW that had a chance to leave early. He declined and allowed another POW to leave in his place. He talks about trying to help people that are hurt by "Free Trade Agreement", but media seems to focus more with Obama on that issue.

4. McCain was wrong in his judgement. McCain went against his party and a popular president in the early 80s regarding Beirut. He was later proven correct. Obama took his comments about Afghanistan out of context regarding "muddling through". He did not include the next line that advised more troops may be needed. In additional, he was the first to support the surge that helped lower the violence. (increased security allowed meetings to take place with locals that led to increased co-operation) He did not support the low troops levels that Rumsfield placed in Iraq that allowed the violence to increase.

5. Obama attacks McCain for being in Washington for over 20 years and not being an agent of change. Why did he pick Biden who has just as much if not more years in Washington?

Obama and Biden may be nobel statesmen, but I am making a rational decision and voting for McCain/Palin. .

Thanks

About time he did some constructive with his campaign money instead of running those downright disgraceful ads.

Scott – Are you the Scott that I met over at DNC headquarters ? The pay must be really good to be driving that big gas guzzling Hummer.

This plan will be especially helpful for all those non-Republican delegates without private planes or luxury autos who need to get out of the storm's path. Way to rub it in McCain! In the words of Billie Holiday, "Them that's got shall have; Them that's not shall lose."

You are out of touch McCain!

The convention should be cancelled regardless. There is no new message other than "Drill Now!, Drill today," and that is not playing well.

Currently, Bush is still president and Cheney is still VP. It is their response that needs to come to the forfront more so than either of the candidates, Rep or Dem. Although I'm a Dem, it would do a lot for the Rep's if Bush/Cheney did a better job with Gustav than they did with Katrina.

Oh please....for all the posts that are proud of John McCain for postponing their "little party"...what else could he do...he would have been "crucified". You Americans are too funny.....hope you make the right decision in November and vote for Obama/Biden. McCain surely wasn't putting your country first by picking his VP and his reason for doing this wasn't because he was thinking of the people....this would have been the final nail in his coffin!!

Susan

What has McCain been doing to help the locals? Does he have special charter planes to evacuate the area too? Great job McPander. I just surprised he didn't say "War on Gustav" yet. I have a mental image burned in my brain of an old man struggling to stay on his feet In a mild wind, yanking the pin out of a grenade with his gums and chucking it 3ft from where he's standing, shouting to the breeze "Die commie bastards!!!"

McCain should get charter planes for potential hurrican victims in mississippi and lousiana. Then i would know he is making a difference. Again, he is only catering to his friends.

They shouldn't have a convention in the traditional sense. The whole thing can be done by video-conferencing. This is 2008, for God's sake! How hard is it to crown the candidate AND handle Gustav? This is just an excuse and political pandering. If I were John McCain I would remind Bush and Cheney that they have an obligation to inspire not only the great people of New Orleans, but to put ALL of the country first by taking just a few minutes out of their tough schedule between now and disaster day on Monday to sit down and record for American television – even if its just a few short sentences – their pride in the Republican Party and all it has done to have improved the lives of Americans over these last, eight glorious years of peace and prosperity! In a display of Christian magnaminity, John, who has military training and was a POW, and Sarah Palin, a well-respected NRA official, could also attend by video conferencing in unison from a Greenpeace helicopter above the rising waters of New Orleans where Sarah can shoot aligators swimming too closely to all the unfortunate women's rights activists who decided to stay too long at the Gay and Lesbian Parade after-party in the City. In case the helicopter is knocked out of the sky by the hurricane, Ex-POW John could provide tips on how to withstand the water-boarding interrogation techniques of disaffected and disturbed gay AIDS activists who may capture the two of them and hold them ransom in exchange for their demand that Senator Larry Craig divorce his wife and marry gay conservative radio personality Al Rantel in San Francisco in a video-taped prime-time public ceremony officiated by the Reverend Gary Phelps at the Republican National Convention. I don't know about the rest of America, but I expect my national leaders to multi-task.

I watched McPain in action, saying some people were "foolishly" staying behind. He STILL DOESN'T GET IT. People are staying behind because they don't have a limo waiting out front; as a matter of fact, they don't own cars. If they do own cars, they don't have gas money. This man is SO out of touch.

We welcome you- Don't believe it!

Wish them a peaceful convention even I disagree with them. Obama has qualified by elections. The lady qualified by being a woman.

While Mississippi and Louisiana were getting slammed by Hurricane Katrina and Americans were dying, McCain was cutting birth day cake with Bush.

If you don't believe me google "Katrina, George Bush, John McCain, and Cake"

Geez, reading these comments dripping with partisanship is just depressing. This is not a time to try and score political points but focus on the needs of those in the path of the hurricane. Our country should come together during these time versus trying to rip each other apart. Can't you see that is exactly what is wrong with the country.

I'm an Obama supporter but wanted to say udos to the McCain camp for doing this and hanging loose on the convention plans. Both campaigns should see this as an opportunity to do what's right not just what's politcally expedient. How nice it would be to see both candidates working together for the good of the people in this area.

Women don't get it. African American's have been used as "tokens" by whites just so they can meet a quota. Well, Palin is McCain's token. At least African American's knew when we were being used and many refused to be used. Palin sells her family and their special needs infant to be a token. Everyone knows tokens don't have any authority. They are there just to appease. Palin's not too bright. At least she'll go down in history as the first. I wonder how that will help her infant?

I think the REPS are overplaying the "we're so worried about the Hurricane" card, in hopes of not having to try and live up to the Democratic Convention. It's obvious that they have not even half the thunder that the Democrats have, and now they are trying to disguise their weakness and want to cry "oooo man, we were gonna have suuuuch a better convention than the Dems, .. but this darn Hurricane showed up ... Lucky for those Dems" ... Just like McCain trying to lure the women vote from Hillary supporters, we can see right through this as well.

This anticipated disaster is only in motion to disrupt the RNC. The people of the gulf states are going to be fine. And their properties are not going to be destroyed by it. Gustav, is here to chase the enemies of change out of town. How ironic, one might want to ask!.. but this election is about good over evil. And the forces of nature are chasing evil out of town...
Obama-Biden '08

Better get Brownie in there! PRONTO!

I pray for the Gulf Coast.

This Obama supporter and former native from Louisiana, appreciates this effort by John McCain.

Seriously question anyone proclaiming to be a PUMA posting here. I consider myself a PUMA, and would never consider McCain's transparent pandering with no policies to back it up as legitimate. Those "PUMAs" that say John McCain is putting women and country first ARE REPUBLICANS in disguise.

My vote goes towards much better policies – Obama-Biden

Have already travelled half of the world. All I know is that in many countries the US and its policies will still loose the rest of public support when electing McCain.

Good for McCain. A very nice gesture.
Voting for him is another story. His first official decision was to pick an unqualified rookie (who can't even be properly vetted by the American public, as Obama has for the last 18 months) and his next few important decisions will be to pick Supreme Court nominees that will make a woman's personal choice illegal... sending them flocking to Mexico. Imagine that, he'll even ship abortion jobs out of this country.

Good move, John. It shows that, to you, the welfare of the country's citizens comes before a gala event held in your honor. If this had happened last week the Democrats would have kept on partying and whining.

Remember the "Christian" leader that said it should rain on Obama during the DNC convention? What does this say about the radical right that this hurricane is supposed to make landfall on day one of the GOP's first day of their convention. THIS IS TOO FUNNY!!! Kind of like putting a governor of a town of 9,000, and has no idea what the VP does, as the VP selection.

Is CNN being taken over by GOP insiders?

Obama should donate the use of his campaign aircraft for evacuation purposes. McCain would then be forced to do the same.

McCain isn't putting country first: he's putting the GOP convention first, trying to make conventioneers feel safe in attending. It's pathetic.

Remember the "Christian" leader that said it should rain on Obama during the DNC convention? What does this say about the radical right that this hurricane is supposed to make landfall on day one of the GOP's first day of their convention. THIS IS TOO FUNNY!!! Kind of like putting a governor of a town of 9,000, and has no idea what the VP does, as the VP selection.

If McCain really put country first, he'd have nominated Elizabeth Dole for VP, not Sarah Palin. This too is just a gimmick to try to appear in charge (actually Bush is in charge) and caring about people before the election. PUMA 2008!'s will find themselves with nine Scalias, no Roe v. Wade, and no women's rights.

This is the least the delegates can expect from the campaign.

Shame on you All4america!

McCain/Palin 08!

McCain does not care about the country. Why else would he put someone on his ticket that could be President at any time. What would that 3am phone call sound like? He threw Romney under the bus just to pander to us, we are not amused and are insulted!!! Does he think we would follow him blindly just becasue he put a woman on the ticket? Sorry, it won't work wil only result in a more unified Democratic party.

Obama/Biden 08/12

Peachy Keen – We can quote you Democrats. Michael Moore for one. And check YouTube for the chairman of the South Carolina Democrat party showing excitement over the storm. Bush, McCain and Palin are headed to the storm. All Democrats, including Ray Chocolate Nagin, the Mayor of NO, are fleeing. Shame on the Democrats for deserting the people of the Gulf Coast.

I don't see anybody gloating over the problems facing the Gulf states. If anything I see people being very concerned about their friends and relatives in the area.

Please, rightwingers, stop projecting your own hatred into the actions of others whose politics you either don't understand or don't care enough to learn about.

If you don't like Obama, fine. But, that doesn't mean that Democrats don't care about the Gulf states. Stop being illogical, stop thinking about your own selfish red-state "values", and start reaching out to ALL who need help in the Gulf states. It's the American thing to do, and as Obama mentioned last week, we're all Americans and we're all patriotic, no matter what our politics or beliefs. So, just stop the whining and belligerence and start being nice to others, no matter what. This country has had enough of this partisan bickering, now start helping instead of hindering. Or, if you can't help but bloviate about "libruls" or whatever, then just shut your yap, get out of the way, and let the rest of us get on with helping those who are in need.

That being said, I'm glad that McCain is rich enough to charter a private plane to send people home. It's the first sensible thing he's done in weeks.

I will say that McCain does NOT need to go down to the Gulf to "help"... he would simply be in the way of people trying to leave; remember, he needs lots of protection and an entourage, and that would take needed help from those who are trying to protect themselves. NOW is not the time for a politician to go down and pander and posture in front of refugees.

Where do you people get the idea that the Dems are "gloating" or feel "glee" over Gustav? Do you have a single source? I mean, they COULD mention that a republican pastor asked people to pray to god to send rain to DENVER, but I don't think I've seen them do that. So, in other words, you are either projecting what you would feel if you were a Democrat, or you are outright fabricating.

Obama is ready to mobilize his network, to help, when it is clear what kind of help is needed.

McCain chartered a plane to help out those who are loyal to him...

Shame on you All4america!

McCain/Palin 08!

I think that this is a nice thing to do for whatever reason. People want to be with their families in a time of crisis. I don't think this is a time to talk about politics. (Do you really think that people down there right now are thinking about which party is which? All they are caring about is the safety of their families. I am sure, positive, that if it is a republician or democratic hand that is extended for help, they would take it without question.) This is a time to band together and help our neighbors.

Hillary became famous through her husband. Sarah Palin is a self-made woman and has more experience than Hillary, who has never run anything, except her household, which she did not do very well. In fact, she insulted stay at home mom's on several occasions. What exactly did she do though, while her husband was governor and president, except meddle in his decisions and not pay attention to his extra marital affairs. Hillary can't even hold a candle to Sarah Palin. To think that the die-hard liberals dislike her because she is opposed to killing babies in the womb is crazy, but true. There are so many other issues in this troubled world of ours to be so obsessed with keeping your right to have an abortion. The Roe v. Wade decision set a precedent that would be very difficult to break regardless of who is in the White House.

Eli has a real problem. Obama is organizing al his volunteers to help people during this crisis. sarah palin will not be our vice president! Current polls show 68-32% of voters prefer Biden.

This is a good jester for McCain, but I'm still not voting for him. I Voted Rep. before but Changing sides. I don't like it when you use someone for political gain. He used this woman who has not even the knowledge of what a VP does. You sure did drop the ball McCain. I don't want that ball dropped again for the future of my family. Thanks but no thanks.

To Eli in Rosewood California:
I do not know who you are referring to but if you remember Katrina many of those who died and were left behind were democrats. You are unfair and full of hate when you accuse us of being happy with the destruction the Gulf. If you remember correctly it was a Republican administration who left fellow Americans to suffer and die during Katrina, so what party has been more dangerous to their fellow Americans?
Please inform yourself before you write such hateful general statements that make you look so ignorant.

What McCain isn't going to be cutting his Bday cake after a major hurrican hits New Orleans? Why not?! He had fun last time doing it while Katrina hit the Gulf States. What a joke. The biggest Panderer in American History. SO sad that people will vote for the McCain/Palin Ticket.

OBAMA/BIDEN '08- Two individuals with Law degrees

McCain's action is about People–not politics. On its path to our shores, the storm killed 81 people. Convention participants from the south need to get to their families. First and foremost, we are all Americans. Get a grip already. The sarcastic comments cross the line of human decency.

When Bill Clinton was POTUS he or Al Gore showed up at all or most major disasters and were critisized by the Republicans for supposedly exploiting the situations for political gain.
Since McCain is not our president and is not from a gulf coast state, what is he really doing down there, aside from grandstanding and getting in the way? Obama has appropriately urged endangered residents to evacuate and said that he would do what it takes to be useful but is wisely staying out of the way so as to avoid adding to the confusion. I can't wait to see if he gets slammed for neglecting or not caring about hurricane victims.

Prairieguy, the folks McCain is flying home are Republicans. They run to danger and take care of American citizens during difficult times. They have to do that because the Democrats have fled in fear. Plus the airplanes being taken in will be used to evacuate those wishing to flee.

You have got to be kidding me. Regards to John McCain handling GOP dring this storm. Lets take a look at Johns record, Crashed 5 aircraft, should have turned left instead of right and got hit by missle, dumped first wife for millionaire (thats thinking John after she waited for you to get back from vietnam you couldn't wait for her to recover from accident) wanted war with Iraq and after it went bad you wanted to take credit for a surg that wouldn't have been necessary if we were not there. Keep telling us you know how to when war's but from your record it doesn't show that you have ever won one. You are now bragging how your VP turned down money for bridge to no where, why don't you show some guts and stop sending boy's to a war to no where.

Go McCain!! Hey, what's Obama doing as a potential national leader for all the New Orleans residents? Oh yea, same thing he's done for us in Illinois...Nothing. This clearly shows who should be our President.

We will not vote for McCain.

Any little bit helps, this will be much appreciated by McCain's delegates.

Why all the rush to return to the scene of the storm ?
Wonder if they are afraid that they will miss out on the opportunity to loot and steal from the poor folks.
Curious the dumbocrats are already standing around with outstretched hands waiting for the gov'mnt to give them free food and lodging and free debit cards and free hip boots along with boats and motors.

This is political posturing. McCain is afraid of the booing that is going to take place on the Convention floor

A recent website recently asked christains to pray to God for a torrential rainstrom on Obama's Thursday speech. But the weather was picture perfect.
Now the Republican's are in danger of being rained out.
I guess God voted early.

This is a wonderful gesture of support to Americans.

Um...who has been gloating and hating and wishing destruction on the Gulf Coast? Nobody as afar as I've seen; that's a ludicrous accusation. McCain is behaving very well right now, to his credit, although that still doesn't change his unsuitability for the Presidential office, or his ridiculous, pandering, staggeringly irresponsible VP choice. And btw, wasn't it just a few weeks ago that Stuart Shepard, of Focus on the Family, was calling on all good "Christians" to pray for rain on Obama's acceptance speech? Until he got the rug yanked out from under him by Christians with much higher standards than he, that is. Check your facts, Eli...

McCain should have charted a plane to help the average people get out not just his delegates...Country (Club) First McCain

I think this is very nice. But for those who think the dems are gloating please do remeber that The repubs were praying ofr it to rain thurs. night. Anyways why would this help the dems? Now they have to wait longer to get specifics about the GOP. I think both parties need to take a time out and do what they can to help the gulf coast. this is not the time to have a who is the bigger humanitarian contest.( Angelina and Brad Pitt:)

May God have mercy on the gulf coast.

Eli,

You seem a little bitter. Just an observation...

Obama/Biden 08!

Wasn't the Republican Evangelist encouraged their members to pray for rain in Denver to washout Obama acceptance speech?

It's disgusting to think that Michael Moore and his like-minded disciples are considering Hurricane Gustav a "godsend". They should be tarred and feathered and fed to the lions.

Katrina survivors were victims, please don't make them political victims also.

If the delegates live in an affected mandatory evacuation area, they can't return home...this has nothing really to do with what party is having a convention right now, this is the AMERICAN thing to do...had this happened last week, I am quite sure that Obama would have done the same...

Don't give McCain/Republicans credit for something they should do anyway....

McCain-Palin are starting to look more capable of putting Country First and showing that you care for those affected in the area.

Obama-Biden today had the nerve to state they were urging people to evacuate the gulf coast area and in the tank CNN reported it.

Sure enough looking like a leader to me.

PUMA 2008!

This is a reminder of the Bush and Republican majority incompetancy during Katrina.

I still don't have much fate on Bush administration and I can only pray that the storm would weaken as it approaches the Gulf cost.

Well said, Eli !

I hope everyone stays safe and they can go back home after this bad hurricane.

That being said if the results of Katrina end up happening again is it time to just walk away? Talk about wasteful spending…we are pouring billions into a city in a bowl surrounded by water that is exposed to hurricanes every year.

I would rather the US spend that money on moving these people out and help getting them relocated into a new home than to keep pouring money into building levees that will never work just to see it happen over and over again.

> The country will get to see first hand how he handles a crisis, himself and the country.

By doing what? Caving into right wing conservatives and picking a VP he didn't want, and then screaming that he is a POW dammit?

To think that focus on the family was praying for rain on Obama's convention.

God hates hatred. Our prayers are with the good people of Louisiana.

Who says the dems are 'gloating' over the problems with the Repub. convention. How silly. The dems, like everybody else in the country, is worried about the people in the Gulf Coast. Don't show your immaturity by making this political.

I, too, am an Obama supporter and it's good to see that we appear to have learned some lessons from Katrina and that McCain is doing this...hopefully not just for the publicity.

It is ironic though that there was a faction of Republicans were praying for rain when Obama made his speech.

Here's a great idea for McCain, one I'm sure he is considering and one that will drive the democrats nuts, a double bonus! Put off the Republican convention for a week or two and continue to accept donations, now that they are growing, until he formally accepts the nomination of the party. My understanding is that he can take contributions up until that point. Then, once he accepts, get the $84 million in federal funds. Hopefully, it's all legal, if not, don't do it. If it is legal, we can all watch the Obama campaign whine about not living up to the spirit of the law, even though he changed 180 degrees on his public commitment to accept public financing.

Brilliant.

WHat I don't understand is why is he flying people home when they are trying to evacuate folks....DUH!!!!!!!!

I pray for all in the Gulf Coast!!!!

To Hillary Supporter – Thank the god of Michael Rodham Moore that our next vice president, Sarah Palin, is nothing at all like your pasha diva, Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Well he wants a big big picture on the behalfe of his supposed to be a leadership. He didn't understand the this moment of emergency should be for N.O not for him.

CNN staff must still be drying out from Denver. Few post are appearing. The few that are, are Donk supporting. Well even if this post is seen by no one other than myself I will say here and now that the Donks glee over the coming destruction of the Gulf Coast is sinful. The hate that Obama and Biden have for our fellow Americans may not be criminal but it is certainly despicable.

This desire that God inflict damange on their fellow Americans to give them some advantage makes it clear now that the treachery that they have carried out in trying to force American into surrender to the Jihadists in the mid-east is in fact that, treachery. I pray for Obama and Biden and the Democrat party. They are truly no longer an American political party. They are advesarial to America and its survival.

I love all these republicans posing as Hillary supporters. This woman stands for everything Hillary does not. She will not get my vote or any of my families vote. I personally have spoken to over 100 Hillary supporters yesterday and every single one of them feels insulted. Who does this woman think she is? I will tell you who she is not…She is not Hillary Clinton. McCain, you have made a grave mistake.

I am a huge Obama supporter, but I think this is very nice. Just b/c you're a delegate does not make you rich–most make less money than my family and we certainly would have a financial hardship evacuating. I see no reason to criticize the opponent or the other party 'just because'. I think the response of the US gov. and both candidates is appropriate and should be commended. I would like to think the current admin. is firing on all cylinders b/c of lessons learned and it being 'the right thing to do'; it very well may be b/c it's an election year–but you know what, the people who need help are getting it and that is what matters right now. I pray for everyone effected and for those who are helping in some big or small way.

He is doing what he is supposed to do. The fact still remains that we came away from the Democratic convention united and will not be swayed by his pathetic attempt to pander to women. You lose Mr McCain.

Obama 08!!!

If the Democrats are gloating because it's raining on the Republicans party – watch John McCain in action. The country will get to see first hand how he handles a crisis, himself and the country.