Different Priorities, Different Speakers

Elyce Taylor
9/02/08

Kickoff night of the Republican National Convention was changed considerably due to touchdown of Hurricane Gustav in the Gulf Coast. Instead of keynote addresses regarding GOP reform, First Lady Laura Bush and First Lady hopeful Cindy McCain joined together and appealed to their party for financial hurricane aid. Laura Bush said it was an opportunity for America to unite across party lines. Cindy McCain echoed her words noting her husband Senator John McCain's advice to his supporters that they take off their Republican hats and put on their American hats. Earlier Monday they had met with volunteers in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. The two women seemed happy to speak together on behalf of Gustav victims. But Laura Bush said she still wanted to deliver her original speech praising Cindy McCain. The First Lady happily told reporters she had already given it to Ms. McCain for her to read.