Day One of GOP Convention Hindered By Gustav, Protestors and Innuendo

Tuesday, September 2, 2008 | 9:07 AM

By Sarah Scully
The GOP scaled back several of the events planned for the first day of the convention. With hurricane Gustav looming, delegates arrived to minimal fanfare. Clumps of protestors and squadrons of police roamed the streets while journalists debated the significance of the latest revelation that Sarah Palin's teenage daughter is pregnant. The convention was called to order inside as demonstrators began to clash with the authorities outside. Cindy McCain and Laura Bush dispensed with partisan sentiment and instead called for cooperation in assisting storm victims. Party officials spent the evening monitoring current events in order to plan Tuesday's schedule. With the storms and several hundred arrests largely behind them, the GOP is looking to Day Two to boost morale. Look for more enthusiasm (and more protests) today. Tonight, President Bush via satellite, "Independent Democrat" Joe Lieberman and Fred Thompson.