MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. -- As delegates descended upon Minneapolis amid reports that the GOP convention would be altered in response to potentially catastrophic Hurricane Gustav, few, if any, voiced opposition to the changes.

Organizers of the Republican National Convention canceled all speeches and program activities for Monday beyond the official procedures that are required under party rules.

"It's definitely appropriate," Mississippi delegate Michael Cravens told FOXNews.com.  "We know that while the convention is extremely important to our nation, there is nothing more important than the safety of the people affected by the hurricane."

"When there's a conflict between governance and politics, you have to choose governance. Neither Bush nor Cheney is on the ballot this year so I think it's perfectly appropriate for them to be where they need to be, which is with the folks in the affected areas," said Trey Grayson, a delegate and secretary of state from Kentucky, who agreed with President Bush's decision to skip out on the convention and instead spend opening night Monday with evacuees and emergency responders in Texas.

The White House announced early Sunday that Bush and Cheney would not attend opening night at the convention as scheduled.  Bush spokeswoman Dana Perino said the president was considering an alternate way to address delegates, possibly through video.

Meanwhile, after touring the emergency management center in Pearl, Miss., on Sunday, McCain said dramatic changes were to be made as convention organizers and meteorologists tracked Gustav, a Category 3 hurricane that is churning towards the Gulf Coast with deadly force.

The convention “will suspend all activities except those that are absolutely necessary,” he said during a press conference. “We hope to resume some normal activities but frankly that is in the hands of God.”

Some delegates said McCain's decision to alter convention plans underscored his leadership abilities as prospective commander-in-chief and preparedness during times of crises.

"Hurricane Gustav and the convention schedule changes emphasize the need for Americans to have prepared leaders like Sen. McCain in the Oval Office," said Mike Bayham, a delegate from Louisiana and member of the Young Republican National Federation.

"As a native Louisianan whose house was destroyed along with virtually every picture from my childhood to Katrina, it goes without saying that I find it disgusting that individuals like Michael Moore and former DNC Chairman Don Fowler would take such perverse pleasure about Hurricane Gustav's effect on the Republican National Convention," Bayham added.

Greyson and others said it is imperative to carry on with the GOP's nominating procedure no matter what devastation Gustav brings to the Gulf Coast region.

"What most people don't realize is that legally we have to have a convention. We have to nominate John McCain and Sarah Palin otherwise there's no election in the fall," Greyson said.  "If we don't have McCain's filing papers in our office by Friday then he's not a candidate in Kentucky."

Others like first-time delegate Deanna Wallace, 18, of Shreveport, La. -- though supportive of the convention committee's decision -- expressed disappointment over the changes after six months of preparation.

"It doesn't really seem appropriate to be having a big celebration when something like this is happening, but we've been so prepared for the convention and to have something like this mar what should be a very good thing for our party and nation is disappointing," Wallace said.