By GottaLaff



I've already touched on this in previous posts, but the list of "thanks, but no thanks" Republicans is growing:



At least 10 incumbent senators, plus several Senate candidates, have sent their regrets. Only three incumbents in hotly contested races, including Kentucky's Mitch McConnell, the Senate minority leader, will join the partygoers.



" It's probably easier to say who is attending ," said Rebecca Fisher, spokeswoman for the National Republican Senatorial Committee. But the list is "a moving target," she added.

" The party brand is in tatters ," said the aide. " The president is highly unpopular. There doesn't seem to be much excitement around the candidate. And there's a real fear of being tagged with the Republican label and being seen with George Bush ."

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger will bow out to stay in California and deal with a budget stalemate. Gov. Bobby Jindal of Louisiana canceling because of Hurricane Gustav.

Gov. Rick Perry of Texas canceling because of Hurricane Gustav. President Bush has now said he will not go, per CNN just now. Same with Vice President Dick Cheney.

Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens is awaiting trial on seven federal charges stemming from a corruption scandal. His staff says he won't attend because he is too busy campaigning for his eighth term. Idaho Sen. Larry E. Craig also has reasons to avoid the Twin Cities. Pat Roberts of Kansas enjoys a double-digit lead over a Democratic challenger in a state that hasn't elected a Democrat to the Senate since 1932. But Roberts is "finishing his 105-county tour" of the state and doesn't want to stop, said spokeswoman Molly Haase. Maine Sen. Susan Collins also will skip the St. Paul festivities to campaign at home, as will Oregon Sen. Gordon H. Smith, who is running for his third term. Ditto for North Carolina Sen. Elizabeth Dole , who is locked in an unexpectedly tight reelection race. Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.) , who is retiring after two terms, plans to visit Europe this week rather than St. Paul. Hagel last week issued a statement of praise for Joe Biden, the Delaware senator who is now the Democratic nominee for vice president. Sen. Richard G. Lugar (R-Ind.) also offered public support for Biden. He isn't going to the GOP convention, according to his office. Neither is Mike Johanns , a Republican running for Hagel's seat. Johanns is "taking no vote for granted" and will be knocking on doors in Nebraska, said spokeswoman Sarah Pompei. Retiring Sen. Wayne Allard (R-Colo.) is skipping the convention. So is the Republican who is campaigning to succeed him, Bob Schaffer. McCain didn't help Schaffer, or his presidential election chances in Colorado , by indicating this month that he supports renegotiating a 1922 Colorado River compact to allocate more water to his home state of Arizona, as well as Nevada and California. " Over my cold dead political carcass, " Schaffer told reporters.

But why? Who would turn down the biggest event of the election season?Wham! A blow to the solar plexus!Let's see who's on the "sending regrets" list these days:Per CNN: There is now talk of canceling the convention and reducing it to a two hour event to fulfill the requirements necessary for a nomination.