More GOP Woes: Abramoff To Testify and Be Sentenced On Day Of McCain's Acceptance Speech

While this morning's Gallup national tracking poll is already showing a clear convention bounce for Obama (even though he hasn't yet spoken), from McCain 46-44 to Obama 48-42, there are a number of very clear obstacles that Republicans are going to have to navigate next week to avoid the specter of a convention drop.

1. Hurricane Gustav is shaping-up to be a "gulf coast monster" which is expected to hit landfall just as the GOP convention starts on Monday night. Presently, its current trajectory is near New Orleans. There is chatter that Republicans are considering pulling President Bush from the list of speakers in anticipation of the storm, but the political storm might be an even bigger problem.
            
2. Karl Rove appears to be demanding that McCain select Mitt Romney as his running mate. If McCain listens to him, this will only reinforce the notion that McCain has surrendered his entire campaign to the Rove machine. If he goes against Rove and selects Joe Lieberman, the GOP base seems ready to revolt.
           
3. And in a little-known development, Jack Abramoff is scheduled to testify and be sentenced in federal court on September 4th, the afternoon of John McCain's convention speech.

These are some serious potential problems for the GOP and each one could cause a great deal of damage in the eyes of the public (or the Republican base).

Meanwhile, things are going better than expected here in Denver and Democrats seem to be one big happy family, once again...

Mark Nickolas is the Managing Editor of Political Base, and this story was from his original post, "More GOP Woes: Abramoff To Testify and Be Sentenced On Day Of McCain's Acceptance Speech"

Follow Mark Nickolas on Twitter: www.twitter.com/mnickolas

Comments

[djarvis]

"Karl Rove appears to be demanding that McCain select Mitt Romney as his running mate."
If McCain does pick Romney, Dems will be able to point out that Romney owns several houses himself. How's THAT for an elitist ticket!!

[MissDaphne]

hmmm. Wonder if any of this will be commented upon by the msm?

[amazinggrace]

Remnants of a hurricane (ouch memories of Katrina) a BIG 72 birthday, and a sentencing­..........­.......can it get any better than this?

Maybe plastic Mittens. Stir in Miss Buffalo Chip......­..........­.......

Obama/BIden '08

[Danigirl65]

Awwww

[openhand]

McCains acceptance speech:

'Mayday Mayday Mayday....­. anyone ?......

[Egalitare]

"As I stand here in the Target HQ executive dining room, I see dozens of people who are yearning for genuine leadership, and I'm here to tell you that it's here in this room!"

(Extremely polite Target Jr. Exec, leans over to whisper to his co-worker): "I thought Obama was on a bus tour with Biden."

[alkamm]

While god and the fates may oppose the Republicans, MSNBC and other main stream media are helping them by not putting some of the best speakers at the convention on air. Tonight, General Eisenhower's daughter laid out her reasons to elect Obama and MSNBC and others concentrated on interviewing various political pundits and other figures.
They also gave short shrift to the assembly of generals who have given their support to Barack.
Olberman's inane pontificating purports to be on the Democratic side, but his ridiculous posturing is pale in comparison with the actual speakers he ignores.
Watch CSpan if you want to see the real convention instead of the coverage. The coverage is suspiciously dull in comparison.

[Danigirl65]

This is the reason that CSPAN rules!!! No commercials, no talking heads, just the speeches - and they were GREAT.

[grata2ude]

This proves God's a Democrat/ Remind people of the laws broken by the Republican party over and over again, and now a hurrican to remind them of the inept and uncaring mess that New Orleans faced during Katrina.

WAKE UP PEOPLE. VOTE OBAMA

[Grunty1]

How perfect would it be if Abramoff implicates Mc'Cain DURING his acceptance speech ;-)

[ATruthBeKnown]

And now he has a hurricane to compete with......­.and they (repubs) were praying for rain.....

[Egalitare]

Be careful what you pray for.

[Danigirl65]

LMAO

[seedyrum]

THE world is watching

As I said on other articles: why would anyone vote against their own interest> MCCAIN can speak to two million folks as no matter what he says folks can clearly see what Bush has done to the country with MCCAIN ninety five percent voting with BUSH>

more enemies
ruined reputation name and honor (where does USA go to get its name reputation and integrity back?)

unstable middle East

indebtedness to every country who loan us money (and we are rich country yeah right)

inflation

insolvency of our government as well as banks

imported foods as we cant feed ourselves

small weary military as BUSH WORE THEM OUT ON A LYING WAR THAT WAS ILLEGAL AND WONT END>>

UNSECURED BORDERS AS BIG BUSINESS WANT CHEAPER AND CHEAPER LABOR TO EXPLOIT

We are to blame for our problems as we voted them in office we drank the kool aid we followed like sheeps over the cliff

WAKE UP AMERICA>>>>>>TAKE BACK THE COUNTRY>>>>DONT SHOP WALMART WHO IS ENRICHING CHINA AGAINST THE CITIZENS OF USA

SHOP FOR VALUE AND QUALITY AND AMERICAN MADE PRODUCTS

DONT SHOP OR DO BUSINESS WITH COMPANIES WHO WILL HIRE BUSH CRONIES>>>>>WATCH WHERE THEY GO AN REPORT THEM SO OTHERS WILL KNOW>>>>

MAKE THOSE COMPANIES PAY>>>>>DIG DIG DIG

SHOP AT COMPANIES WHO KEEP JOBS IN AMERICA DONT SHOP ON PRICE ALONE>>>>GO FOR VALUE AND QUALITY>>>>>GO TO NEIGHBORHOOD STORES>>>BUT VET THEM AS WELL

BIG BUSINESS INFLUENCE REACHES FAR

SAVE YOUR QUARTERS

THE WORLD IS WATCHING

[escorpion]

You neglected to mention that the NFL season kickoff game is scheduled for the same time as McCain's acceptance speech. Of course, in light of his speaking skills, maybe the RNC would rather have people watch football.

[Mark Nickolas - Huffpost Blogger]

Yeah, but NFL footnall is more a distraction than a political problem. These three issues are true potential political problems.

[Chillinout]

This could be "perfect storm" for the RNC. It just goes to show you that G o d is a Democrat.

And let's hope that Gustav causes little damage and no deaths, just a big headache for the Republicans.

[DTGB]

what about his 72nd birthday next friday?