Republicans will have to get it right

KATRINA was a natural disaster that turned into a political one for the Bush administration. Gustav, on course for the Gulf Coast just over three years later, could offer the chance for redemption or point-scoring in the US presidential campaign.

Fumble the response again and the Democrats will pounce, specially as Gustav could strike during the Republican National Convention, which opens Monday in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Do well by the public and Republicans can crow.

"If it does work out well, it will probably be a small plus for us," said New York Representative Peter King, top Republican on the House Homeland Security Committee, which oversees federal disaster response operations. "Obviously, if it doesn't work out well, then the Republicans are going to have a problem."

Forecasters predicted Gustav could reach Category 3 – the same strength as Katrina – and hit the US Gulf Coast next week, anywhere from southern Texas to the Florida Panhandle. Another tropical storm is also developing in the region.

Troy Gibson, political science professor at the University of Southern Mississippi, said that if Gustav is as destructive as Katrina, the Republicans could have centre stage at the convention to champion their commitment to relief efforts and getting it right.