Before I go to my post I want to say that Gustav decided not to visit my area, so my practice of threading water was not needed.  MY heart goes out to those in the hurricane’s path.

As Hurricane Gustav slammed the Gulf coast on Monday before being downgraded to a tropical storm, an unofficial bipartisan ceasefire prevailed, with most Republicans and Democrats pulling their punches while a major part of the country was being battered by the storm.

Normally, Republican speakers this week would be extolling the virtues of McCain and trying to define his Democratic rival Barack Obama as a liberal who would raise taxes.

Instead, the conclave in Minnesota has turned from politicking to raising money for Gustav victims, with U.S. first lady Laura Bush and McCain’s wife Cindy leading the charge.

So Gustav has been a mixed blessing for McCain.  The Pres and Vp have decided to stay in Washington and play cards or something equally as important.  McCain’s pick for Vp is coming with substantial baggage, like the troopergate, as it is being called and the announcement that her 17 year old daughter is pregnant.  Also there are questions about her vetting process.  So, Gustav has given the media something else to fixate on, which will give McCain a bit of a rst—for now.