Mary Katharine Ham
After being thrown off course by Hurricane Gustav on day one, Republicans decided early this morning to resume normal convention programming tonight, kicking off a somewhat condensed three-day schedule. Senior Republican officials, on a conference call this morning, urged TV media to consider the Republicans’ loss of one night of prime time when they’re making decisions about how much of the program to cover in the coming days.
Tonight’s theme will be John McCain’s biography, and will feature a video about McCain and fellow POWs and a presentation by McCain’s former cellmate Orson Swindle.
Former Tennesee Sen. Fred Thompson will give a speech called, “The Courage of John McCain”
Former Democrat, and political independent Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) will make his first ever appearance at a Republican convention to give a speech about his personal friend and political ally called, “The Original Maverick, John McCain,” reflecting the campaign’s determination to take the change mantle from Barack Obama, who they think has claimed it without a record to support it.
President Bush, kept away from St. Paul by Hurricane Gustav will appear briefly via satellite from the White House early in the night, while Laura Bush will address the crowd at the Xcel Center.
Both Rudy Giuliani, who was supposed to deliver the keynote address last night, and vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin are slated to speak Wednesday night.
Officials would not give details of the much-anticipated speech of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin or whether she would address her 17-year-old daughter’s pregnancy, announced yesterday by the Palin family.
“You’re going to have to tune in to witness it first-hand, but obviously it gives Gov. Palin a uique opportunity to have a conversaton with the American people.”
