Virginia delegates approve of GOP convention delay

Virginia delegates to the Republican National Convention said they support Sen. John McCain’s decision to suspend most activities today in deference to Gulf Coast residents in the path of Hurricane Gustav.

“If anybody knows something about suffering, it’s John McCain,“ said Wendell Walker of Lynchburg, referring to the Arizona senator’s 5½ years as a prisoner of war in Vietnam.

He said the decision to postpone activities reflects “the sensitivity of the nominee.“

Tonight’s headline speakers were to be President Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney and first lady Laura Bush. U.S. Rep. Thelma Drake, R-2nd, also was to be among the day’s speakers.

McCain campaign manager Rick Davis said he hoped that all speakers on the roster ultimately would get to address the convention, but he did not know whether or when that would be possible.

“It was absolutely the right thing to do,“ said Attorney General Bob McDonnell, chairman of the Virginia delegation. “People down there are hurting.“ McDonnell said he had spoken Friday with Virginia Gov. Timothy M. Kaine about how the state would respond to the hurricane.

McDonnell said “it’s hard to say” whether the shortened convention would hurt Republicans. Ultimately, he said, campaigns are decided on issues.

“Do the people really watch the first day or two?“ asked Tucker Watkins of Halifax County, a longtime Republican activist.

“What they want to see is the next president and the next vice president of the United States.“

A former attorney general, Jerry W. Kilgore, a co-chairman of McCain’s Virginia campaign, said, “The public will see a party that came together for America.“

He joked that some viewers might be relieved that they don’t have to hear all of the speeches.

Most of the 123-member Virginia delegation arrived yesterday, disappointed, but not surprised, that Bush had canceled his scheduled appearance before the convention tonight.

“I’m proud of him; it was the right thing to do,“ said Laura Drain of Reston.

“How do you win in a situation like this?“ Walker said. “Bush was blamed for all the things that went wrong three years ago,“ when Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast.

“He is doing what presidents should do,“ said Del. Jeffrey M. Frederick of Prince William County, chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia.

Frederick rejected speculation from some pundits that Bush’s unpopularity might have tarnished the convention.

Frederick gave Bush’s first term high marks for his reaction to Sept. 11 and for the good economy. He said he was disappointed in the second term because Bush did not cut spending.

Christie Craig, an alternate from Chesapeake, said she was disappointed that Bush chose not to address the convention in person, but said: “He’s a president before he’s a Republican.“

Like Frederick, she gave Bush high marks for his first term, “but the last four I’ve been somewhat concerned as a Republican.“

Particularly, Craig said, Bush should have done something to hold down gas prices.

Amid changes in the convention schedule, the Virginia delegation was not changing its activities. A welcoming party last night sponsored by Norfolk Southern was still on, as was today’s delegation breakfast meeting.

Contact Tyler Whitley at (804) 649-6645 or .