President Bush Speaks

By Elyce Taylor
9/02/08

The Presidency has spoken. Tuesday night the Republican National Convention was back to business as usual after cutting down on its festivities and speakers because of Hurricane Gustav's path through Louisiana. 
 
First Lady Laura Bush was in the Convention Hall to introduce President George W. Bush.  But he wasn't ithere.  Instead he was in the White House and spoke to the GOP via satellite on a jumbo screen. His appearance was met with a standing ovation and cheers that drowned out the first words of his speech. First, the President acknowleged Hurricane Gustav and said the recovery effort had been excellent.
 
The rest of his speech concentrated on Senator John McCain.  President Bush said McCain was capable of handling modern world dangers and referred to him as "the man we need."  His words lasted no more than ten minutes. Some speculated Bush's speech was kept short because McCain wants to distance himself from the unpopular President. While his short speech from afar was considered a smart move by some, others expressed disappointment. Michigan Republican Party Chairman Saul Anuzis said he wanted to thank him in person for two great terms in office. Bush is the first President to skip his party's national convention since Lyndon B. Johnson.