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Bush backs McCain for president Bush backs McCain for president
(about 1 hour later)
President George W Bush has praised John McCain's service and leadership in a speech to the Republican convention.President George W Bush has praised John McCain's service and leadership in a speech to the Republican convention.
Speaking via video-link from the White House, he told delegates in St Paul, Minnesota, that Mr McCain was "a great American and the next president".Speaking via video-link from the White House, he told delegates in St Paul, Minnesota, that Mr McCain was "a great American and the next president".
Mr McCain is due to be nominated on Thursday as the party's presidential candidate for November's election.Mr McCain is due to be nominated on Thursday as the party's presidential candidate for November's election.
The main talking point so far has been the news that the teenage daughter of Mr McCain's running mate is pregnant.The main talking point so far has been the news that the teenage daughter of Mr McCain's running mate is pregnant.
Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, chosen as the vice-presidential nominee last week, announced on Monday that her 17-year-old daughter, Bristol, would have the baby and marry her boyfriend.Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, chosen as the vice-presidential nominee last week, announced on Monday that her 17-year-old daughter, Bristol, would have the baby and marry her boyfriend.
In his eight-minute address, Mr Bush described Mr McCain as a president ready to make the tough decisions needed "in a dangerous world".In his eight-minute address, Mr Bush described Mr McCain as a president ready to make the tough decisions needed "in a dangerous world".
John McCain's life is a story of service above self President George W Bush Key excerpts: George W Bush John McCain's life is a story of service above self President George W Bush Key excerpts: George W Bush class="" href="/1/hi/in_depth/americas/2008/vote_usa_2008/7594922.stm">Wife's role in the show class="" href="/1/hi/in_depth/americas/2008/vote_usa_2008/7595125.stm">Republican Convention diary class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/7595175.stm">Convention in pictures
"John McCain's life has prepared him to make those choices. He is ready to lead this nation," Mr Bush said."John McCain's life has prepared him to make those choices. He is ready to lead this nation," Mr Bush said.
He also spoke of Mr McCain's life as "a story of service above self" and emphasised the "independence and character" he showed in backing the administration's "surge" strategy of pouring more forces into Iraq.He also spoke of Mr McCain's life as "a story of service above self" and emphasised the "independence and character" he showed in backing the administration's "surge" strategy of pouring more forces into Iraq.
Giving the night's keynote speech, independent Senator Joe Lieberman spoke of Mr McCain as "the best choice to bring our country together and lead our country forward".
Mr Lieberman - a former Democrat who was Al Gore's running mate in 2000 - told those who wondered what he was doing at a Republican convention: "I'm here to support John McCain because country matters more than party."
Joe Lieberman, a friend and ally of Mr McCain, praised his bipartisanship
He praised Mr McCain for his independence, commitment to bipartisan politics and determination to root out corruption and fight special interests in Washington.
"Only one leader has shown the courage and the capability to rise above the smallness of our politics and get big things done for our country and our people," Mr Lieberman said.
He added: "I sincerely believe that the McCain-Palin ticket is the real ticket for change this year."
Former Senator Fred Thompson, who ran against Mr McCain in the party's primaries, opened a lively speech with criticism of the Democrats and the media for their scrutiny of Mrs Palin and her family.Former Senator Fred Thompson, who ran against Mr McCain in the party's primaries, opened a lively speech with criticism of the Democrats and the media for their scrutiny of Mrs Palin and her family.
He also spoke of Mr McCain's military service, his courage while a prisoner of war in Vietnam and his commitment to reform in Washington.He also spoke of Mr McCain's military service, his courage while a prisoner of war in Vietnam and his commitment to reform in Washington.
Mr Thompson went on to attack the Democrats and their record since taking control of Congress in the 2006 mid-term elections.Mr Thompson went on to attack the Democrats and their record since taking control of Congress in the 2006 mid-term elections.
Independent Senator Joe Lieberman, a former Democrat who was Al Gore's running mate in 2000, spoke of Mr McCain as "the best choice to bring our country together and lead our country forward". At least three people were arrested during a tense anti-poverty march that ended near the Republican convention arena, the Xcel Center in St Paul.
Gustav appeal Police used smoke bombs to scatter protesters they said were trying to get past security fences. It came a day after nearly 300 people were arrested in protests on Monday.
Most of the first day's political events were suspended out of respect for communities affected by Hurricane Gustav.
McCain on Palin's announcement
Instead, Mr McCain's wife, Cindy, and First Lady Laura Bush made calls to support those under threat.
Mrs Bush told delegates that such events transcended party politics and reminded people that they were Americans first.
Gustav was downgraded to a tropical storm after making landfall on Monday west of New Orleans, where hundreds of thousands of people had been evacuated.
The storm came three years after Hurricane Katrina struck, killing more than 1,800 people and resulting in huge damage to the city and its surrounding area. President Bush was strongly criticised over his handling of the crisis.
Palin talking pointPalin talking point
Most of the first day's political events were suspended out of respect for communities affected by Hurricane Gustav.
The BBC's Adam Brookes in St Paul says the Republican Party convention is now getting down to work after the uncertainty brought on by Hurricane Gustav.The BBC's Adam Brookes in St Paul says the Republican Party convention is now getting down to work after the uncertainty brought on by Hurricane Gustav.
Tuesday's events are focusing on Mr McCain, a concentrated piece of political image building with a keynote speech from Joe Lieberman, the Democrat-turned-independent senator, who has decided to support the party's candidate, our correspondent says. href="/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/08/americas_voters0_views_on_sarah_palin/html/1.stm" onClick="window.open('http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/08/americas_voters0_views_on_sarah_palin/html/1.stm', '1220397821', 'toolbar=0,scrollbars=0,location=0,statusbar=0,menubar=0,resizable=1,width=500,height=400,left=312,top=100'); return false;">Voters in Minnesota give their views on Republican Sarah Palin and her daughter's pregnancy href="/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/08/americas_voters0_views_on_sarah_palin/html/1.stm" onClick="window.open('http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/08/americas_voters0_views_on_sarah_palin/html/1.stm', '1220397821', 'toolbar=0,scrollbars=0,location=0,statusbar=0,menubar=0,resizable=1,width=500,height=400,left=312,top=100'); return false;" >In pictures
Sarah Palin's announcement has so far overshadowed the convention Wife's role in the showRepublican Convention diaryTeenage pregnancy in spotlight
President Bush cancelled his planned opening night speech amid concerns that overt political campaigning would play badly with voters at a time of potential crisis.President Bush cancelled his planned opening night speech amid concerns that overt political campaigning would play badly with voters at a time of potential crisis.
But many Republicans will be glad he is not here in St Paul in person, our correspondent says, and much of this week will be about defining Mr McCain as very different to his unpopular predecessor.But many Republicans will be glad he is not here in St Paul in person, our correspondent says, and much of this week will be about defining Mr McCain as very different to his unpopular predecessor.
Meanwhile, media attention has continued to focus on Mrs Palin, who is facing an ethics investigation in her home state and whose daughter's pregnancy made headlines on Monday.Meanwhile, media attention has continued to focus on Mrs Palin, who is facing an ethics investigation in her home state and whose daughter's pregnancy made headlines on Monday.
The Associated Press reported on Tuesday that Bristol's boyfriend, named as 18-year-old Levi Johnston, would be joining the Palin family at the convention in Minnesota.The Associated Press reported on Tuesday that Bristol's boyfriend, named as 18-year-old Levi Johnston, would be joining the Palin family at the convention in Minnesota.
The AP quotes Mr Johnston's mother, Sherry, as saying he had been put under no pressure to marry and that the pair had been planning to wed before they knew she was pregnant. AP quotes Mr Johnston's mother, Sherry, as saying he had been put under no pressure to marry and that the pair had been planning to wed before they knew she was pregnant.
Our correspondent says Mrs Palin's selection as vice-presidential candidate has caused great excitement among social conservatives and evangelical Christians here.Our correspondent says Mrs Palin's selection as vice-presidential candidate has caused great excitement among social conservatives and evangelical Christians here.
But across the broader Republican Party there seems to be some unease - she is an unknown quantity, and when she is finally brought out on to the convention stage on Wednesday, many McCain supporters will be crossing their fingers and hoping she performs, he adds.But across the broader Republican Party there seems to be some unease - she is an unknown quantity, and when she is finally brought out on to the convention stage on Wednesday, many McCain supporters will be crossing their fingers and hoping she performs, he adds.
The 72-year-old Arizona senator is expected to formally accept his candidacy in a prime-time speech on Thursday evening.The 72-year-old Arizona senator is expected to formally accept his candidacy in a prime-time speech on Thursday evening.
What is your reaction to the Republican convention? Tell us your thoughts on the event so far by filling in the form below.What is your reaction to the Republican convention? Tell us your thoughts on the event so far by filling in the form below.
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