AP - Republicans hurried to turn the opening day of their national convention into a fundraising drive for hurricane victims Monday, with presidential candidate John McCain's wife and first lady Laura Bush appealing for Gulf Coast help. McCain visited a disaster relief center in Ohio.

AP - Sarah Palin seemingly came out of nowhere to become John McCain's running mate, and the talk of the Republican Party. What other rising stars are out there in the GOP firmament? Four AP reporters offer their take on Republicans with a future — or not.

AP - Wait, now, say the Republicans. You think that Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin lacks experience? You think that at 44, with less than two years running the nation's northernmost state, she doesn't have what it takes yet to be a heartbeat away from the presidency?

AP - Hurricane Katrina was an ugly turning point in the Bush presidency, demonstrating what happens when government incompetence and spin replace results. Now comes Hurricane Gustav, casting a cloud over the Republican National Convention and, possibly, John McCain's presidential ambitions.

AP - Hurricane Gustav forced John McCain to curtail much of the Republican National Convention's opening day and, thus, threatened to upend everything from GOP party-building efforts to the candidate's own campaign strategy.

AP - Democrats in town to staff an aggressive "war room" operation during the GOP convention have instead laid down their arms as Hurricane Gustav bears down on the Gulf Coast.

AP - Police arrested nine people taking part in an antiwar march at the Republican National Convention on Sunday after they crossed a security fence into a restricted area near Xcel Energy Center.

Reuters - Republicans open their convention on Monday to nominate presidential candidate John McCain with no pomp and little politics, shelving the usual celebration out of deference to the approaching threat of Hurricane Gustav.

AP - As Hurricane Gustav threatens the Gulf Coast, President Bush is out to show the nation that his government has learned the haunting lessons of Katrina and is ready to act. That includes a rapid response by Bush himself, who will be planted near the danger zone even before the storm hits home.