GOP to networks: Please cover us

ST. PAUL – Republican officials are asking the television networks to expand coverage of their convention now that Hurricane Gustav is no longer a threat to New Orleans.

They said Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) has decided to move ahead with the convention after most activities and speeches were postponed or cancelled on Monday.

{mosads}"Obviously we lost a lot of opportunities to communicate some messages last night," said Rick Davis, McCain's campaign manager. The networks have also focused their coverage on Gustav, and most television news stars have been closer to the Gulf Coast than the Twin Cities.

Former Sen. Fred Thompson (R-Tenn.) and 2000 Democratic vice presidential nominee Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) will both address the convention on Tuesday. Each will give biographical speeches about McCain, Davis said.

Thompson's speech is titled "The Courage and Service of John McCain," while Lieberman's is called "The Original Maverick: John McCain."

President Bush, who had been scheduled to address the convention Monday night, will now speak to convention attendees via satellite from the White House, but his remarks will likely fall out of the primetime speaking slot.

Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani had been scheduled to give the keynote speech of the convention Tuesday night, but officials said his remarks will likely be moved to Wednesday.

McCain decided to move ahead with the partisan convention program after consulting with Federal Emergency Management Agency officials, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal and New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin, Davis said.

The decision to move ahead was made at 5 a.m., convention officials said.

Convention officials said all of the major speeches will still happen, but they are remaining flexible about when the speeches will occur.