Sen. John McCain canceled the first day of his Republican National Convention, and his campaign made plans to turn the gathering into a giant fundraiser as they braced for the natural and political fallout from Hurricane Gustav, speeding toward the Gulf Coast.

Appearing by satellite from St. Louis, he told reporters in St. Paul, Minn., ahead of the convention that "we have to do away with our party politics and act as Americans." (Read Sen. McCain's statement.)

Campaign...