Lots of no-shows expected at Republican National Convention
So many GOP lawmakers have sent regrets -- citing tough reelection battles, previous commitments or other scheduling conflicts -- that a Senate official notes 'it's probably easier to say who is attending.'
DAYTON, OHIO — As Sen. John McCain prepares to accept the Republican presidential nomination this week, his party's four-day convention will be notable in part for who isn't attending.
Compared with past GOP conventions, a surprising number of prominent lawmakers and candidates will stay away from the festivities Sept. 1 to 4 in St. Paul, Minn. -- chiefly citing tough reelection battles, previous commitments or other scheduling conflicts.
At least 10 incumbent senators, plus several Senate candidates, have sent their regrets. Only three incumbents in hotly contested races, including Kentucky's Mitch McConnell, the Senate minority leader, will join the partygoers.
"It's probably easier to say who is attending," said Rebecca Fisher, spokeswoman for the National Republican Senatorial Committee. But the list is "a moving target," she added.
Republican officials have encouraged candidates to focus first on winning their own elections. But an aide to a Republican senator, who spoke on condition of anonymity, offered another reason for the no-shows.
"The party brand is in tatters," said the aide. "The president is highly unpopular. There doesn't seem to be much excitement around the candidate. And there's a real fear of being tagged with the Republican label and being seen with George Bush."
Some absences are due to overriding events in officials' home states. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger will bow out to stay in California and deal with a budget stalemate, and Govs. Bobby Jindal of Louisiana and Rick Perry of Texas said they would cancel their prime-time convention appearances because of the threat to the Gulf Coast from Hurricane Gustav.
(The White House said Saturday that President Bush was still planning to attend the convention but that contingency plans were being made in case of a Gulf Coast disaster.)
One incumbent Republican senator has no choice but to attend: Norm Coleman of Minnesota pushed to bring the GOP convention to his state and is scheduled to address the delegates.
But facing a stiff reelection battle, he now admits he'd rather be out campaigning.
"If the convention wasn't in St. Paul, I wouldn't be at the convention," Coleman told Minnesota Public Radio.
Two of the GOP stay-aways probably will not be missed.
Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens is awaiting trial on seven federal charges stemming from a corruption scandal.
