White House spokeswoman Dana Perino says it is unlikely right now that Bush will go to Minnesota on Monday. She says alternate plans are being prepared.
The convention schedule has the president set to speak late Monday night in St. Paul, Minn. on opening night. But those plans appear to be on hold because of the monster storm that could make landfall along the Gulf Coast as early as Monday.
In addition, GOP presidential candidate John McCain, along with his wife, Cindy, and running mate Sarah Palin intended to travel to Jackson, Miss., on Sunday at the invitation of Gov. Haley Barbour because of concerns about people threatened by the storm. They were to receive a briefing at the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency — a permanent operations center monitoring hurricane response.
The White House was likely to confirm Bush’s plans later Sunday. Bush planned to get an update on preparations for the storm, which could make landfall along the Gulf Coast as early as Monday, from disaster relief officials and state and local representatives late Sunday morning. After visiting the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s operations center, the president was expected to make a statement about the situation.
Bush’s alternative plans could include possible travel to the Gulf Coast and perhaps speaking to the convention by video.