I can't believe they are even floating this idea, but McCain's inner circle is saying that the former maverick himself may not attend the RNC in St. Paul.
That's right, not only has Big John scaled back the Monday night's festivities from a seven hour, star-studded extravaganza to a more respectful 2.5 hour prayer service for the victims of Hurricane Katrina (er, Gustav), but he might not show at all.
From the StarTrib
The hasty reordering of an event months in the planning was unprecedented, affecting not only the program on the podium but the accompanying fundraising, partying and other political activity that unfolds around the edges of a national political convention.
McCain said he was looking forward to being the convention but did not say when he would arrive. Aides said it was possible he would not attend at all.
OK, I'm making up the prayer service thing. But he said he's so concerned about this hurricane, that he may just stay down in Mississippi, rope himself to a tree and ride this one out.
But before he does, he wants to assure us that his new running mate is more than up to the job.
Responding to a question after his hurricane-related remarks, McCain made a ringing defense of Palin, who Democrats argue has less experience than their presidential candidate, Barack Obama.
"I think Sen. Obama, if they want to go down that route, in all candor, she has far, far more experience than Sen. Obama does," McCain said.
He cited Palin's stint as governor of a "state that produces 20 percent of America's energy" as well as her previous membership in the PTA and her time spent on the city council and in the mayor's office in Wasilla, a town of fewer than 7,000 people outside Anchorage.
Wow. The PTA and city council. That's what he's going with? Wow. Just wow.