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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 Senator 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 the 4 November election.
The main talking point so far has been the news that the teenage daughter of Mr McCain's running mate is pregnant. Senator Joe Lieberman, the Democratic vice-presidential nominee in 2000, said Mr McCain was the man to unite the US.
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 Speech in full: George W BushWife's role in the showRepublican Convention diaryConvention in picturesJohn McCain's life is a story of service above self President George W Bush Speech in full: George W BushWife's role in the showRepublican Convention diaryConvention 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". President Bush cancelled his planned opening night speech amid concerns that overt political campaigning would play badly with voters when the US Gulf Coast was suffering the effects of Hurricane Gustav.
But many Republicans would have been glad he was not there in person, as the convention aims to define Mr McCain as very different to his unpopular predecessor, says the BBC's Adam Brookes in St Paul.
Bipartisan politics
Giving the night's keynote speech, Mr 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."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 Senator Lieberman on why he backs John McCain
He praised Mr McCain for his independence, commitment to bipartisan politics and determination to root out corruption and fight special interests in Washington.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."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." Mr Lieberman described the Democratic presidential candidate, Barack Obama, as a "gifted and eloquent young man", but added: "Eloquence is no substitute for a record, not in these tough times."
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, delivered fierce criticism of the Democrats.
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 Obama, he said, was "the most liberal, most inexperienced nominee to ever run for president".
Mr Thompson went on to attack the Democrats and their record since taking control of Congress in the 2006 mid-term elections. Mr Thompson praised Mr McCain's military service, his courage while a prisoner of war in Vietnam and his commitment to reform in Washington.
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. He also rounded on the media for their scrutiny of Mr McCain's vice presidential choice, Sarah Palin, and her family.
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. Unknown quantity
Palin talking point Mrs Palin, the governor of Alaska, announced on Monday that her 17-year-old daughter, Bristol, was pregnant, would have the baby and marry her boyfriend.
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.
Voters in Minnesota give their views on Republican Sarah Palin and her daughter's pregnancyIn picturesVoters in Minnesota give their views on Republican Sarah Palin and her daughter's pregnancyIn pictures
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. Our correspondent says Mrs Palin's selection as vice presidential nominee has caused great excitement among social conservatives and evangelical Christians gathered at the convention.
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 across the broader Republican Party there seems to be some unease at the choice of someone who is an unknown quantity, he says.
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. Mrs Palin is due to address the convention on Wednesday. Mr McCain is set to formally accept his nomination in a prime-time speech on Thursday evening.
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. Most of the first day's political events were suspended out of respect for communities affected by Hurricane Gustav.
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. At least three people were arrested on Tuesday during a tense anti-poverty march that ended near the Republican convention arena, the Xcel Center in St Paul.
Our correspondent says Mrs Palin's selection as vice-presidential candidate has caused great excitement among social conservatives and evangelical Christians here. 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 the day before.
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.
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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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