Day approves of slimmed convention schedule

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BLOOMINGTON, Minn. -- Oregon Republican Party chairman Vance Day told delegates Monday that the business-only schedule adopted by the Republican National Convention because of Hurricane Gustav was important to acknowledge what people in the storm’s path were going through.

“I believe it is appropriate,” Day told the delegates over breakfast. “When a natural disaster is impending, all Americans should be focused on that.”

Convention organizers scaled back the day’s events after it became clear that Gustav would hit the Louisiana coast sometime Monday morning.  Speeches by President Bush and Vice President  Cheney were cancelled. The delegations will still meet Monday afternoon, but only to complete essential tasks required to move forward with official convention business.

“Today is all business,” Day said of the afternoon session. “Certain things do have to happen; the Republican National Convention ceases to exist if they do not happen.”

But even as the Republican delegates meet, Day said their minds will be on Gulf Coast residents that were already bearing the brunt of the storm.

“They’ve already gotten 14 inches of rain,” Day said. “I know that may not seem like a lot of rain to Oregonians, but it is a lot of rain.”