Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama said he will tap his huge political network of donors and volunteers to help victims of Hurricane Gustav.

Sen. Barack Obama: “My hope is, is that we’ve all learned from the terrible lesson that we saw after Katrina and Rita. Having said that, even if some of those lessons have been learned, it’s still very unpredictable.”

On Sunday, the Republican Party announced plans to scale back its national convention, which begins today in St. Paul. The party’s presumptive nominee, John McCain, traveled to Mississippi.

Sen. John McCain: “So, of course, this is a time when we have to do away with our party politics and we have to act as Americans. We have to join with 300 million other Americans on behalf of our fellow citizens. It’s a time for action. So we’re going to suspend most of our activities tomorrow, except for those absolutely necessary.”

The Republicans have called off the bulk of today’s convention program, except for essential party business. Speeches by President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney have both been canceled. The convention will convene at 3:00 p.m. Central time and adjourn two-and-a-half hours later.