Shakespeare’s Prospero couldn’t conjure up a more wicked and twisted storm scenario. Hurricane Gustav is picking up speed and now looks like a Monday morning landfall on the Gulf Coast. Evacuations are moving forward ahead of what looks and sounds like a horrible event. Prayers and good thoughts continue for all those in danger’s path.
Both political campaigns are also reacting with storm like intensity to the event, as the storm and its aftermath will become, in one way or another, a crucial event in the life of the presidential race. Face it. Neither campaign has a choice and they have to operate with intensity on this one.
McCain and Co. headed to Mississippi today to check on preparations and the Republicans are getting set to announce changes in their convention schedule this week. Word is that the Republicans are planning on using part of their convention as a fund-raising tool to help victims.
Obama’s campaign is revving up as well. While not heading to the area ahead of the storm, his campaign is talking about using its email list to help raise money and volunteers after the extent of the storm’s wrath is known. Wonder if they’ll use their social media tools as well? The Obama campaign has one hefty database of names, so it will be interesting to see how this pays off. It could herald the change that many who have been following Obama’s use of the Internet say is coming. This will certainly prove to be a big test, and on many, many levels.
While it will look like the campaigns are trying to out Samaritan each other this week, I’m guessing that the focus on aid will probably be a great service to those who it increasingly looks like will need it.
