I just got done with an interview from St. Paul with Attorney General Bob McDonnell. McDonnell is the front runner for the GOP nomination for Governor next year. He provides an interesting perspective on the situation the Republican party finds themselves in because he was just in New Orleans about a month ago, helping a family whose home was destroyed in Katrina.

McDonnell seemed confident that the Republicans would be able to have a rousing convention, while at the same time respecting the concerns for the people of the Gulf Coast. He also thought that it would provide an opportunity for Sen. John McCain to show he skills as a leader.

Tonight at 11, we’ll hear more from McDonnell about his experience in New Orleans and we will take a deeper look at the impact Gustav could have on the Republican National Convention.

Also, on the Democratic side, we’ll take a look at how the Obama campaign is turning their local campaign offices into drop centers for donations and supplies that will be sent to hurricane victims.

Ryan Nobles - bio | email

Today was supposed to mark the beginning of the Republican National Convention, but at this point we don’t know if there will even be a Republican National Convention, so as you can imagine that will impact our Decision 2008 coverage quite a bit. 

Right now I am working on setting up some interviews with our delegates and officials who are already in St. Paul, with essentially nothing to do. I am wondering what the mood is like there and how the storm along the Gulf Coast is affecting their work in Minnesota.

Much of our newscast tonight, and rightly so, will be dedicated to the coverage of the storm. Tonight at 6, I will take a look at how the storm is making life difficult at the convention hall.

Ryan Nobles - bio | email

There is an incredible political tightrope that National Republicans are forced to deal with as they convene in St. Paul for their convention this week. As I am sure you’ve heard (and if I am the first to tell you, that would be pretty flattering) Hurricane Gustav is about to nail the Gulf Coast nearly three years after the Katrina disaster.

Republicans just sent word that they plan to suspend their convention activity for tomorrow, while they assess the situation in the storm zone and then determine how festive they want their convention to be. This of course puts many of our local delegates in a tight bind. Most of them are already on the ground in St. Paul, expecting to begin their work at the convention tomorrow. However there are some that have yet to leave yet and the situation with the storm puts them in a difficult situation.

Coming up tonight in our 11pm news, Tara Morgan will talk with Janet Polarek who works for Attorney General Bob McDonnell. She has yet to leave for the convention, but knows fellow staff and delegates that are already there. In addition, Janet took a trip to New Orleans last October, and is conflicted about going to St. Paul to celebrate, when there could be suffering elsewhere in the Country.

It should be an interesting preview of what is ahead for the GOP.