Official Statement of California Republican Party Vice Chairman, South, Jon Fleischman in response to an announcement today (see here) that at the “recommendation” of Senator John McCain, the RNC has announced that they are definitely scrapping tomorrow night’s convention session and leaving the opening that they might just cancel the whole thing (except “technical requirements” to place McCain/Palin on the ballot): **See Disclaimer Below**
"I couldn’t disagree more with this response to the tragic pending landfall of Hurricane Gustav along the Gulf coast. Of course this is a horrible occurrence, and I am sure that everyone agrees that all efforts humanly possible to assist those in need to should be taken.
I totally understand and appreciate if Senator McCain, President Bush or other individuals feel that their best individual response to this God-created crisis is to be elsewhere than in Minneapolis. That having been said, tens of thousands of GOP activists from around the nation, the vast majority of whom are from areas that are unaffected directly by Gustav, will be gathered, and deserve an opportunity to rally for our nominee and our party, and engage in the type of activities that will send us home from the state of 10,000 lakes energized to win an election that is going to be here in just over a couple of months.
Republican National Committee Chairman Robert Duncan and the RNC Leadership should be providing cover for our nominee by respectfully acknowledging his recommendation, and politely declining to cancel any of our convention. By reacting this way to the storm, the Republican Party is asking tens of thousands of people, who I am sure are all sympathetic to the situation (I know I am!), to act as if the world freezes during crisis. It does not. In a couple of weeks, Gustav will be in the rear view mirror for most, and the election will be before us. Our activists deserve the boost in excitement and energy for the final push that the other party’s activists received last week.
It seems like we are taking a tragic natural disaster, and making it worse.
An appropriate reaction would be for convention speakers to call for appropriate reflection and sympathy for victims. But otherwise you just have to wonder if there is a lot of over-reaction taking place. It is important to remember that this convention is not just about the spin and media coverage of it, but about empowering and recognizing the importance of the activists who are making the trip to Minneapolis."
**Disclamer: Jon Fleischman is an elected officer of the California Republican Party. This statement reflects his own personal view, not necessarily that of the California Republican Party itself. **
August 31st, 2008 at 12:00 am
You could not be more wrong.
August 31st, 2008 at 12:00 am
Yeah, I hear that particular criticism a lot.
August 31st, 2008 at 12:00 am
Jon, I have to agree with Matt. Yes, life does go on, but some things — no matter how important they may seem to those directly involved — need to be put aside until the nation as a whole and its citizens are safe. If events are cancelled, I would hope the tens of thousands of GOP volunteers in attendance would still be energized for November, leaving with the huge comfort of knowing that their party and its leaders did the absolute right thing in a time of crisis. I won’t even get into — past this — the additional and ancillary strategic blunder for the GOP to proceed with “business as usual” at a time the rest of the nation is focused on the Gustav situation.
September 1st, 2008 at 12:00 am
It’s nice to read that someone else thinks that scaling back the convention is completely uncalled for.
Im not too worried about the ‘energizing’ of the troops aspect, I just dont get the connection between the convention and Gustav.
Certainly, it is appropriate that President Bush, and other leaders (ie. gulf coast officials, fema folks, etc.) be on hand to monitor the gulf area and make sure all is done in providing necessary support to residents. I get that. AND, from a political stand point, maybe not such a bad idea for Bush to be absent from the convention…just saying.
But, McCain is a Senator from AZ, and Palin is the Gov of AK…..if they werent at the convention, would they be doing anything re: Gustav?? NO. She’d be hunting moose, and he would be relaxing in the desert…I mean, they dont really have anything they need to be doing for the people of LA…so, why cancel the convention activities?
Where I get annoyed….is thinking of the people that took time off work (time=$$), paid for airfare and hotels, and had plans to attend a convention. Now, we are going to ruin the plans of the thousands of Republicans (and democratic “war room” attendees) to do what? To all sit around and watch round the clock weather coverage?
There isnt much that can be done….the people in the gulf have evacuated (or not), relief centers have been set up and are manned by DIFFERENT PEOPLE than would be at the convention.
Im just not getting how cutting back convention activities is going to make things any better re: Gustav.
Are the CEO’s of the country, movie producers, and everyone else that has a job going to stop what they are doing and sit in front of CNN for the week and watch the storm clouds approach the coast? NO….people will still go to work, and school, and fulfill their daily obligations, all the while (no doubt) keeping LA (and alabama and mississippi) in their prayers.
I think the convention should go on as planned, minus those needed in the gulf. We can pray and let them know we are wishing them the best….but, what else could we do?
It’s all a bit ridiculous, really.
September 1st, 2008 at 12:00 am
I should cancel my BBQ tomorrow, because to have it would be be callous and insensitive.
And by the way cancel all New Years, birthday and any other celebrations of any sort from here on out… because someone, somewhere WILL be suffering some sort of misfortunate at that exact same time.
Idiocy…
September 1st, 2008 at 12:00 am
This reminds me of the debate when the National Football League chose to play its games the week after President Kennedy was assasinated.
September 1st, 2008 at 12:00 am
It’s all moot really; the RNC is being scaled back despite any complaints.