To the editor:

Despite the lofty rhetoric of the Republican Party that it is putting politics aside when it comes to helping those impacted by Hurricane Gustav, nothing could be further from the truth.

During her short speech on Monday, Cindy McCain stated that “John wants you all to know that it is time to take off your Republican hats and to put on your American hats.” After the applause subsided, she then encouraged listeners to go to www.CauseGreater.com to provide financial assistance to hurricane victims.

Well, guess what! When you go to that Web site, the heading states “Country First, Serving a Cause Greater than Self.” Sound familiar? It is the most recent attack line being used by McCain and his underlings to attack Barack Obama by suggesting falsely that Barack puts self before country.

At the bottom of the page there is an invitation to visit John McCain’s Web site. Republicans simply cannot resist using every occurrence for political purposes.

Republicans: Have you no shame? Is there nothing off limits? Do you truly believe that Barack Obama and Democrats do not put country first?

What John McCain and the Republican party have just demonstrated for all to see is that they will do and say anything to win — that they are the ones guilty of putting self and party above country. Shame on you, and shame on John McCain.

Nels Kelstrom

Clinton