The GOP Convention is Off for Monday -- Which Isn't That Bad A Thing for McCain

      Understandably, given the enormous hurricane about to hit the Gulf coast, the Republicans made the right move -- both substantively and politically -- to call off Monday's night's proceedings. The truth is the party will gain more from appearing to be above politics at this time of crisis.

      In fact, though no one planned it this way, the week could turn out even better politically for the GOP than planned. Remember we recommended in our Tote Board column on Thursday that the best thing the Republicans could do this week would be to act positive and above politics. Gustav may give them the chance -- as well as a kind of Katrina do-over. And they'll still get to reintroduce John McCain and Sarah Palin to the nation -- if not from Minnesota, then maybe from the Gulf.