MINNEAPOLIS -- A pep rally for Florida delegates is being recast as a prayer breakfast. Money for a post-convention pool party is

going to the American Red Cross.

Gov. Charlie Crist may skip the whole thing, delivering storm briefings from Tallahassee and, possibly, his prime-time speech to the convention via satellite.

Hurricane Gustav and Tropical Storm Hanna loomed over the Republican National Convention Sunday but also presented the party with opportunities to show that it puts people before politics, three years after the Bush administration was hammered for its sluggish response to Hurricane Katrina.

''It's the right thing to do, to take that money that we would have paid for the party and give it to the people who are going to need it the most,'' said Florida Republican Party Chairman Jim Greer of the decision to scrap the post-convention party. ``We're still going to have a great time, still going to celebrate our nominee.''

The changes announced by Florida Republicans mirrored plans by the national party to scale back the four-day convention. Monday's activities will be restricted to party business required to nominate John McCain.

With storms bracketing the Florida peninsula, Crist's plans are up in the air. He was supposed to fly to New York for a fundraiser and arrive here Saturday.

Instead, the governor -- passed over for vice president and slipping in the polls -- projected a rolled-up-sleeves image of confidence in an aqua polo shirt during a Tallahassee press conference and nationally televised interview. Instead of fielding questions about politics, he talked about the storm's feeder bands.

Meanwhile, satellite images replaced the constant footage of McCain's surprising pick, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin. Polls showed most Florida voters didn't want Crist -- also elected less than two years ago -- on the national ticket.

''First and foremost, we need to be here for the people, and that's what I'm going to do,'' Crist said on CNN.

COMING HOME

The governor's chief of staff, Eric Eikenberg, who drove to Minnesota with his family, was preparing Sunday afternoon to make the trek back to Florida.

''It's unfortunate we can't be here, but it's more important we're prepared,'' Eikenberg said. ``This is a time where partisan politics takes a back seat.''

President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney announced Sunday that they won't attend the convention at all. The McCain campaign has been grappling with how to pay homage to the unpopular administration.

''It's not the worst thing for the convention,'' said Sid Dinerstein, chairman of the Palm Beach County Republican Party. ``This convention needs to be about John McCain.''

But at the hotel hosting Florida delegates, many were watching the Weather Channel in the bar. Party leaders announced that Monday's breakfast for delegates -- typically a time to whip up enthusiasm for the convention floor -- will serve instead as a multidenominational prayer breakfast. The party also set up a link on its website to direct contributions to the American Red Cross.

Greer is serving on the Affected States Working Group, created two days ago by the Republican National Committee to develop contingency plans for delegates from Gulf Coast states threatened by the hurricane. The Florida GOP is offering to pick up airline fees for any delegates who want to go home early.

The overhauled convention could sideline U.S. Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart of Miami, slated to speak Monday night. His office sent out an e-mail asking for prayers and contributions for victims of Hurricane Gustav.

''This is a change to show that we have learned from our mistakes in Katrina and are more prepared this time,'' said Miami fundraiser Armando Gutierrez. ``This is an opportunity to show leadership, and people are going to pay more attention to that than a bunch of speeches.''

This isn't the first time Florida Republicans have scrapped convention parties in the wake of an impending storm. In 2004, then-Gov. Jeb Bush stayed behind in Florida to deal with the aftermath of Hurricane Charley instead of attending the convention nominating his brother. Many delegates cut their trip short when television screens showed Hurricane Frances approaching the Florida coast.

Florida national committeeman Paul Senft noted that in 2004, other states sent power workers and other volunteers to help Florida recover from a string of storms.

`PEOPLE ISSUE'

''This isn't a partisan issue, it's a people issue,'' he said. ``We in Florida should know that better than anyone.''

All of Florida's 114 delegates will have seats on the convention floor, though the state will cast only 57 votes because it held an early primary that broke party rules. Delegates are relegated to an Airport Marriott Hotel several miles from the convention hall. Greer assured delegates that they will enjoy ''premier seating'' on the convention floor.

Miami Herald staff writer Mary Ellen Klas contributed to this report.

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