Beyond the Dome

Now that the Republicans have started themselves on the path of a scaled-back convention, the next decision they have to make is another awkward one: When, if ever, is it okay to get back to a full-blown political program?

Sure, Gustav hasn’t breached the levees in New Orleans — yet. But it’s early yet, and the television coverage is full of images of water sloshing over the walls. The full extent of Katrina’s devastation wasn’t clear in the first hours, either.

Even if the storm turns out to be less damaging than expected, though, Republicans will have to figure out whether there’s a tasteful way to say that. After all the effort they’ve invested in showing the nation that they’re concerned about the people in the storm’s path, it will be hard for them to simply say, “Whew. Back to the party!”

So far, John McCain and Republican convention officials say they’re still taking it day by day. On a morning conference call, campaign manager Rick Davis said that “we hope to be able to reclaim our schedule at some point,” and that “we are more optimistic than we were a day ago.” He also sounded more certain than he did at yesterday’s press briefing that McCain would appear in St. Paul on Thursday to accept the nomination in person.

But Davis said the convention officials wouldn’t even decide Tuesday’s program until sometime Tuesday morning. And other top Republicans say it may never be possible to get back to a full-blown program. House Republican Conference Chairman Adam H. Putnam of Florida noted that “it’s still an awkward juxtaposition.”

Even in the best-case scenario, Putnam said, the most the Republicans could do is get back to “a quasi-normal situation” — meaning that “the evening speakers would go on, the speeches take on a decidedly less partisan tone, and the social events take on more of a charitable fundraising function.”

Rep. Thomas M. Davis III of Virginia said there’s no real need to get back to a full-scale convention, since “it’s all about messaging at this point anyway.” The convention planners should just take it day by day, he said, and “you could hold it over an extra day if you had to.”

Without any further guidance, delegates are biding their time, expressing their sympathy to Gulf residents even as they carry on with many of the social events outside the convention center.

One especially strange scene I ran into this morning was at the Lowry Theater, a few blocks from the Xcel Energy Center, where the Florida delegation was having its picture taken. They all said their hearts go out to the people in the Gulf states — especially since Florida is no stranger to hurricanes — but they said this while clad in the colorful tropical uniform shirts worn by Florida turnpike workers, which made them look like they were still partying at least a little bit.

“I am enjoying being here, but I’m excited that they’re taking note of how serious this is. I’ve been through this before, with hurricanes and water in my basement and everything,” said Melissa Hagan, an alternate delegate from Bay County, in the Florida panhandle. “There are more important things.”

Delegate John Falconetti of Jacksonville was philosophical: “If we’re able to get back to a full program and share in the revelry, that’s great. If not, there’s a reason for it.”

For now, then, Republicans will wait for word on how bad Gustav really has been. And until then, the low-key partying will continue.