Chris Stirewalt
Laura Bush is one of the most popular Republican figures in St. Paul or anywhere else, for that matter. The question facing convention planners was how to highlight the first lady amid the new gravity imbued by Gustav.
The solution announced this morning is to have Mrs. Bush join Cindy McCain tonight for a televised fundraiser for the people effected by the hurricane.
The first lady will introduce a video thank-you note from from the Republican governors from the Gulf Coast — Rick Perry of Texas, Bobby Jindal of Louisiana, Haley Barbour of Mississippi and Bob Riley of Alabama — to the delegates for their prayers and support. Cindy McCain will then come to the stage to make a plea for contributions for hurricane victims.
Republicans have already made plans for a fundraising phone bank and a care package center here in the Twin Cities.
