Election Unspun: RNC scales back, police ramp up crackdown

The Republican National Convention, expected to begin today in St. Paul Minnesota, has been scaled back due to Hurricane Gustav. President Bush and Vice President Cheney have cancelled their Monday appearances. The Republicans have cancelled all parties and speeches are instructed to be a-political and solemn. Republicans have minimized all convention proceedings except those required by law - such as calling a quorum.

Meanwhile, protestors are still planning their actions despite police intimidation. Over the weekend, police cracked down, attempting to disrupt any protest activity planned for the coming week around the Republican convention. Friday night, police detained a dozen people and raided a protest convergence center in St. Paul, and on Saturday, police raided three houses with drawn guns.