Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
There was no talk of a hurricane at the Republican National Convention Tuesday night, just pure politicking in Minnesota. It brought praise from President Bush and other high-profile leaders.
After the subdued session Monday, Tuesday the gloves came off! Speakers were back playing hard ball, and the keynote endorsement for Republican John McCain came from Joe Lieberman, the Independent Democrat.
"Senator Barack Obama is a gifted and eloquent young man who I think can do great things for our country in the years ahead, but eloquence is no substitute for a record, not in these tough times," Lieberman said. He added, "I appeal to Democrats, Independents and Republicans, let's come together this November to make a great American patriot, John Mccain the next great American president."
"Law & Order" actor and former senator Fred Thompson took the stage to craft a narrative for John McCain. He painted McCain as a man of principle, independence and character -- traits demonstrated early in life and during more than five years of brutal torture while a prisoner of war.
"Being a POW doesn't qualify anyone to be President, but it does reveal character. My friends, this is the kind of character that civilizations from the beginning of history have sought in their leaders," Thompson said.
Thompson laid into the opposition. He called Obama the "most liberal, most inexperienced nominee to ever run for President."
President Bush was relegated to a cameo appearance from the White House. In his short remarks he told the convention he understands the burden of the presidency, and that John McCain is ready to be the next president. First Lady, Laura Bush, introduced her husband from the convention stage.
Governor Huntsman was scheduled to speak Tuesday night, but he was left off the agenda that has been scrambled because of Hurricane Gustav.
Someone who will not be on the agenda until Wednesday still got a lot of attention today. As much as the convention is focused on John McCain Tuesday, questions about his running mate pick keep coming up.
Alaska Governor Sarah Palin stayed out of the public eye as she prepares her speech for later this week. Palin's family traveled to St. Paul Tuesday to be with her when she is expected to address the convention Wednesday. Her future son-in-law is traveling with them.
