Boehner: Monday convention program will be axed

MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL – The program for the Republican convention Monday night will likely be canceled because of Hurricane Gustav, House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) said Sunday.

{mosads}"It is doubtful there will be any kind of program tomorrow night," Boehner told reporters at a lunch hosted by the Christian Science Monitor.

President Bush and Vice President Cheney canceled their appearances in Minneapolis on Monday and Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) has indicated he also may skip the convention. Gustav is expected to hit land on Monday.

"We are going to have to take this one day at a time," Boehner said. "What we are suggesting is that those who are sponsoring events find a way to be helpful in the relief effort … The country needs to come first."

Boehner, the chairman of the GOP convention, added that Monday's schedule would be the most affected by the storm.

He did say there will likely be a brief meeting of delegates on Monday to ratify the rules of the convention and approval the 2008 GOP platform.