AP - As Hurricane Gustav battered the Gulf Coast, lobbyists, corporations and industry groups scrambled to put a solemn face on their glitzy GOP convention parties and still revel with big donors, delegates and members of Congress.

AP - About 100 veterans marched in formation to the site of the Republican National Convention on Monday, hoping their experience would lend credibility to their anti-war message.

AP - First lady Laura Bush says she'll be addressing Monday's opening session of the Republican National Convention, but Day One of the gathering won't be the big celebration that once was planned.

AFP - Republican vice presidential pick Sarah Palin revealed Monday that her 17-year-old unmarried daughter is pregnant, in the latest bombshell to rock the Hurricane Gustav-curtailed Republican convention.

AP - About 2,000 protesters waving peace sign flags rallied at the state Capitol on Monday before an anti-war march to the Republican National Convention site. Hundreds of police wearing bulletproof vests and carrying billy clubs stood by.

AFP - First Lady Laura Bush and presidential candidate John McCain's wife Cindy will address the muted Republican convention Monday as the political jamboree's opening day turns into a Hurricane Gustav relief drive.

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.