GOP platform calls for catastrophe fund McCain opposes

[DogPoundPup]

Source: McClatchy Newspapers

ST. PAUL -- With a string of tropical depressions threatening to batter Florida, Republicans pointed with pride Tuesday to a plank in the party's platform that calls for a ''natural disaster insurance policy'' -- a provision GOP presidential nominee John McCain has opposed.

Florida Republicans said the mention of a catastrophe insurance fund -- part of the national party platform for the first time ever -- signals growing support for a federal insurance backstop, which has been a priority for Florida's congressional delegation since Hurricane Andrew ripped through Homestead in 1992.

''It's a nice little coup, it's a definite statement,'' said U.S. Rep. John Mica, a Central Florida Republican who served on the GOP platform committee in 1984 and said it's no easy task to insert language into the document. "Every little bit helps.''

The provision also reflects the GOP's determination to win the state in November. Adding the insurance language -- at a convention overshadowed by Hurricane Gustav -- aims to take some of the bite out of attacks from Democrats, whose nominee has supported a national insurance backstop.

Democrats, who tucked a more sweeping provision into their platform, applauded the GOP, but were quick to note that McCain has rejected calls for a national insurance program.

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