GOP, citing Gustav, makes case for McCain

MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL – Republicans are already citing Hurricane Gustav as a major reason why voters should pick Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) this fall.

Sen. Norm Coleman (R-Minn.) made the case Sunday that McCain is best equipped to lead the country — whether it's acts of terrorism or acts of God.

{mosads}Appearing on Fox News, Coleman repeatedly cited the campaign theme of "country first" when describing efforts to prepare the Gulf Coast for Hurricane Gustav.

He also pointed out that new leaders will be responding to the hurricane, noting there is a "different governor" and "a different FEMA."

The governor of Louisiana is Bobby Jindal (R), who was on McCain's short list of running mate candidates.

On CNN's "Late Edition," former Sen. Tom Daschle (D-S.D.) and adviser to Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) said the country needs to focus on the Gustav emergency, stating that "we don't think about politics at this point as much as we think about survival."

Asked later about McCain's selection of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (R) to be his running mate, Daschle disputed that criticism of Palin has anything to do with her gender and added that Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas) "would have been a perfect choice."