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Bush to address Republican event Bush backs McCain for president
(about 2 hours later)
President George W Bush is to speak to the US Republican Party's convention on John McCain's service and leadership, via video-link from the White House. President George W Bush has praised John McCain's service and leadership in a speech to the Republican convention.
The event in St Paul, Minnesota, is due to see Mr McCain nominated on Thursday as the party's presidential candidate. 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".
Politics has returned to the agenda now Hurricane Gustav's threat has passed. 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 announcement by Mr McCain's running mate, Sarah Palin, that her unmarried teenage daughter is pregnant. The main talking point so far has been the news that the teenage daughter of Mr McCain's running mate is pregnant.
According to excerpts of Mr Bush's speech released in advance, the president will describe Mr McCain as a president ready to make the tough decisions needed "in a dangerous world". 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.
"John McCain's life has prepared him to make those choices. He is ready to lead this nation," Mr Bush will say. In his eight-minute address, Mr Bush described Mr McCain as a president ready to make the tough decisions needed "in a dangerous world".
He will also speak of Mr McCain's life as "a story of service above self" and emphasise the "independence and character" he showed in backing the administration's "surge" strategy of pouring more forces into Iraq. John McCain's life is a story of service above self President George W Bush
Former Senator Fred Thompson, who ran against Mr McCain in the party's primaries, will talk about Mr McCain's commitment to reforming Washington and call upon Americans to "step up, stand up and put 'country first' with John McCain." "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.
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.
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, is also scheduled to speak.Independent Senator Joe Lieberman, a former Democrat who was Al Gore's running mate in 2000, is also scheduled to speak.
Gustav appealGustav appeal
Most of the first day's political events were suspended out of respect for communities affected by Gustav. Most of the first day's political events were suspended out of respect for communities affected by Hurricane Gustav.
Instead, Mr McCain's wife, Cindy, and First Lady Laura Bush made calls to support those under threat.
McCain on Palin's announcementMcCain 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.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.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 hurricane 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.The hurricane 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
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 will focus 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. 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.
Sarah Palin's announcement has so far overshadowed the convention Wife's role in the show href="/1/hi/world/americas/7592059.stm">Republican Convention diaryTeenage pregnancy in spotlight Sarah Palin's announcement has so far overshadowed the convention Wife's role in the show href="/1/hi/in_depth/americas/2008/vote_usa_2008/7595125.stm">Republican Convention diaryTeenage pregnancy in spotlight
President Bush will also address the convention via a live video feed from Washington. He 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.
Sarah Palin, the governor of Alaska who was presented as Mr McCain's choice for running mate on Friday and is facing an ethics investigation back in her home state, made the announcement of her unmarried daughter's pregnancy 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.
She said Bristol, 17, planned to have the baby and would be getting married.
Mrs Palin, who is opposed to abortion, said her daughter would "have the love and support of our entire family" and appealed for privacy for the young couple.
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.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.
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.
The speech is deemed to be among the most important events of the campaign for his chances of winning the White House in November.
Meanwhile on Monday, police in St Paul used pepper spray as they arrested more than 100 protesters, some of whom threw bottles and broke windows. Many of those involved in the violence identified themselves to the Associated Press as anarchists.
Several thousand anti-war marchers had earlier demanded the return of US troops from Iraq.
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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