Hurricane Gustav: President Bush Remarks on Gustav at FEMA Headquarters

FEMA Administrator R. David Paulison and President George W. Bush were briefed about Hurricane Gustav at FEMA Headquarters August 31, 2008 in Washington, DC. President Bush has pledged full cooperation from the federal government. In an effort to prevent another slow response similar to Hurricane Katrina, Bush declared a state of emergency for Louisiana, Texas, Alabama, and Mississippi before the storm, which is a relatively rare event. He also canceled his plans to attend the Republican National Convention. Bush said at the FEMA briefing he would not travel to Louisiana at this time because he did not want his visit to 'impede in any way the response of our emergency personnel.'

The New York Times indicated Senator John McCain would suspend most Republican Party activities on Monday in Minnesota. McCain called on his party members to 'take off our Republican hats and put on out American hats.' Meanwhile Barack Obama has decided not to visit the Gulf Coast just yet. According to FoxNews.com, Obama's large campaign entourage would be a 'distraction in the evacuation' of the estimated 2 million Gulf Coast residents in Gustav's path.