Can FEMA save the Republican National Convention?

The Republican National Convention was already looking like a disaster, what with half the country's Republicans not even bothering to show up and the rest across the street celebrating with Ron Paul.

Then there is the logical inconsistency that the convention's main theme would be to debunk Sen. Obama's experience credentials while unveiling the forty-four year old commander of the mighty Alaskan National Guard, Sarah Palin.

Now, it looks like even the party boss won't even be showing up at his own convention:

Already, the White House has said President Bush is unlikely to come. Other officials involved in the convention planning said it has already been decided that Mr. Bush will not attend, and instead is likely to address the convention’s Monday session, if there is one, via satellite.

Of course, Hurrican Gustav presents a major natural disaster, and the President's attention is warranted, but is there any way this isn't viewed as some halfbaked Katrina do-over?

Hopefully Gustav won't be the disaster Katrina was--and I worry people forget how tragic and sad that all was--but it's presence over the RNC has to be Sen. McCain's worst nightmare. It's hard to run away from Pres. Bush with a giant reminder of the man's biggest failure happening at the same time.

God turning the Republican Convention for Pres. Bush's replacement into a telethon for hurricane victims is somehow the ultimate irony--and the ultimate reminder that GOP leadership for this country has been bankrupt and disastrous.