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Bush to address convention, remotely

Posted by Foon Rhee, deputy national political editor September 2, 2008 11:46 AM

President Bush will speak to the Republican National Convention after all, but not in person.

Instead, he will address delegates via satellite this evening, convention organizers just announced.

Revamping the schedule, which was torn up because of Hurricane Gustav, organizers also changed the headline speakers tonight.

One will be Senator Joe Lieberman, the self-described "independent Democrat" from Connecticut who was the 2000 Democratic vice presidential nominee but who is now a strong supporter of John McCain and was on his short list for running mate.

"I’m proud to be here for John McCain,” Lieberman said this morning on Fox News Channel. "Honestly to me he is the real change candidate because unlike Senator Obama he has a record of taking on the special interests including in congress and working across party lines with Democrats like me.”

But Lieberman's advocacy for McCain has angered Democrats, who have had blistering things to say about him.

Senator John F. Kerry, the 2004 Democratic presidential nominee, has said that Lieberman shouldn't be speaking at the GOP convention. The Fox host teased Lieberman, saying, “Oh come on you can take him.”

Lieberman replied, “He’s taller, but I’m so much more agile.”

The other headline speaker tonight will be former Senator Fred Thompson of Tennessee, the former actor whose candidacy fizzled this year.

They will both talk about McCain's life, helping to reintroduce him to voters just tuning into the presidential race.

1 comments so far...
  1. Of course Bush won't be there. He's not even welcome at his own convention after this mess he got us into. And Rove isn't around to get him past security.

    Posted by Chris in Illinois September 2, 08 02:26 PM
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About political intelligence Field reports from Boston Globe reporters and editors covering the 2008 presidential campaign and the national maneuvering of Bay State politicians.

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