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Arkansans note Bush absence on unusual convention first day Tuesday, Sep 2, 2008 By Aaron Sadler Stephens Washington Bureau ST. PAUL, Minn. - On an peculiar, abbreviated first day of the Republican National Convention, Arkansas delegates were disappointed not to get a chance to hear from President Bush as his term nears an end. Bush's low approval ratings are not relevant on the convention floor, said Robin Lundstrum of Springdale. Lundstrum and other Arkansans said they had been looking forward to a strong valedictory from the president whose tenure has been defined by the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and subsequent wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. "From the standpoint of the delegates, we all would have loved to see the president," said Jim Burnett of Clinton, Arkansas' GOP committeeman. "We admire him and support what he's done for the defense of the country. We're disappointed that he's not here." Bush canceled his convention speech scheduled for Monday because of Hurricane Gustav, which made landfall in southern Louisiana on Monday morning. Some pundits viewed Bush's absence as a blessing in disguise for presumptive GOP presidential nominee John McCain. Democrats running on the theme of "change" consistently attack McCain for his connections to the president and say a McCain administration would be like a third Bush term. "There's been a perception at least that he might be somewhat of a drag on the McCain ticket," Burnett said of Bush. "To the extent we need to convince Americans that Sen. McCain is his own candidate, these events may make it easier to do so." Lundstrum viewed it from a different perspective. "Having him here as a sitting Republican president (would be) a compliment," she said. "Wouldn't it be awful if he dissed McCain? Plus, this is bigger than a popularity contest. We're electing an American president, not American Idol." The hurricane forced Republicans to cut short their schedule of events at the Xcel Energy Center. Delegates met for just two hours primarily to conduct official business. Vice President Dick Cheney also canceled his planned remarks. The truncated schedule created a surreal atmosphere in the convention hall, where delegates had little reason to stand and cheer. Onlookers had little reason to show up, which is probably why most of the arena seats were empty. The convention's start on Labor Day also contributed to the subdued kick-off. There was still no word late Monday as to whether Tuesday's events would proceed as scheduled. Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee is expected to deliver a speech Tuesday night. The president's address was to have been Monday's highlight. But Bush's popularity has plummeted as Americans have grown dissatisfied with the economy and the war in Iraq. Even so, he still has higher poll numbers than Congress, said Rep. John Boozman, R-Rogers. "There are a lot of congressmen that are going to be speaking here and three of the (former presidential) candidates are members of Congress," Boozman said. "If he were here I think it would be great, but I think he's doing the right thing by not worrying about the politics of it." If anything, the president is doing what's right by missing the convention, said Jim Reavis of Fayetteville. "I would rather someone be doing what he was actually voted in to do rather than just come here," Reavis said. |
