Missing in Action

Thanks to hurricane Gustav bearing down on the Gulf Coast, yesterday President Bush was forced to forgo an opening night appearance at the Republican National Convention while he stayed in Washington to monitor the situation, something he manifestly failed to do three years ago for Katrina. So with poll numbers the lowest ever for an incumbent president, John McCain was probably grateful for Bush's absence, notwithstanding the flak generated by his selection of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his vice presidential running mate. Tonight with the threat of Gustav diminished, Bush will be speak to the convention via satellite for about eight minutes and, clearly by design, before the networks begin televising the proceedings. In prepared remarks, Bush praises McCain as a worthy successor:

Some told him that his early and consistent call for more troops would put his presidential campaign at risk. He told them he would rather lose an election than see his country lose a war. That is the kind of courage and vision we need in our next commander-in-chief.

When the debates have ended, and all the ads have run, and it is time to vote, Americans will look closely at the judgment, the experience, and the policies of the candidates — and they will cast their ballots for the McCain-Palin ticket.