AP - Republicans swung their convention back on a political track Tuesday after a pause for Hurricane Gustav, giving President Bush an abbreviated slot for a televised address promoting John McCain's candidacy for the White House. Former Democrat Joe Lieberman and TV star and former Sen. Fred Thompson got prominent roles.

AP - Republican John McCain said Tuesday he's satisfied that Sarah Palin's background was properly checked out before the Alaska governor joined the Republican ticket. He predicted that public excitement about her candidacy will increase after her address to the GOP convention on Wednesday.

AP - The Republican Party has gaveled its 2008 presidential nominating convention to order, ready to have Sen. John McCain carry the party's banner this fall against Democrat Barack Obama.

AP - First Lady Laura Bush has told Republican National Convention delegates that America's priority has shifted to those in Hurricane Gustav's path, rather than politics.

AP - Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, the GOP vice presidential candidate, is being represented by an attorney in the investigation into the firing of her public safety commissioner.

AFP - First Lady Laura Bush and John McCain's wife Cindy on Monday led a fundraising drive for Hurricane Gustav victims on day one of the curtailed Republican convention.

AP - Republicans rebuffed their certain nominee Monday by endorsing a platform that goes further than John McCain in opposition to abortion rights.

AP - Hard to restrain, politics unmistakenly came creeping back into the Republican National Convention as Hurricane Gustav delivered a softer-than-expected blow on the Gulf Coast. As the storm winds died down, the political winds picked up.

Reuters - Police in riot gear battled hundreds of protesters with pepper spray and smoke bombs and arrested 130 people on Monday at the start of the Republican presidential convention.

AP - With their plans for opening day of the Republican National Convention dashed, first lady Laura Bush and Cindy McCain instead appealed to GOP faithful to donate time and money to those caught in Hurricane Gustav.