September 2, 2008
Posted: 10:12 PM ET

From
President George W. Bush address the convention via satellite.
President George W. Bush address the convention via satellite.

ST. PAUL, Minnesota (CNN) — For the Republicans, Bush’s speech was mercifully short. There was no opportunity for McCain and Bush to raise arms and give the Democrats another photo-op. And still no mention of the economy.

Memories of campaigns past: The camera just caught the first President Bush looking at his watch, just as he famously did during a presidential debate in 1992.

On to some pleasant memories for the crowd here: No Republican convention is complete without a Ronald Reagan ceremony of some kind, just as no Democratic convention is complete without a Kennedy ceremony. For the Republicans, 1980 is Year 1: the date history truly began.

Filed under: President Bush • Republican National Convention


Anonymous   September 2nd, 2008 10:23 pm ET

Hello…more later?

Duop from Colorado   September 2nd, 2008 10:22 pm ET

Yes, it was short, and not only that it was not enough to convince voters.

Andrew   September 2nd, 2008 10:22 pm ET

George Bush had to record his speech with cheering in it so the delegates knew when to cheer! you can clearly hear it go from nothing to a roar in a split second

Jan   September 2nd, 2008 10:22 pm ET

Good! Too bad his tenure in office wasn't.

Mindy Baker   September 2nd, 2008 10:22 pm ET

How can people not see that McCain's policies are nearly identical to George Bush's? The biggest deficit, more presidential vacation days than any other president, snubbing the NAACP, money to big oil, the list goes on and on…

dannette   September 2nd, 2008 10:21 pm ET

Thank goodness, it all sounds contrite and phoney! What an horrible convention!!

No More Bushes   September 2nd, 2008 10:21 pm ET

What? Do you mean he didn't even speak long enough to ask McCain to get a mop and bucket to clean up the mess he's made of America?

kanda eric   September 2nd, 2008 10:21 pm ET

What a waste of airtime? The president as always failed to make any case to Americans as to why we should vote John MCcain.

Andre Lotscher   September 2nd, 2008 10:21 pm ET

How come when your cameras pan around the crowd all I see is older white people. I only saw one black person durning the service tribute and Laura Bush’s intro. How can they claim to represent all Americans. It is quite a contrast to the Dems. Oh yeah I forgot these are as GW said the elite. FYI 56 year old white male 6 yrs US Navy Honorable discharge

Ratgurl   September 2nd, 2008 10:21 pm ET

As I watch, I notice a theme. Every commentator at the RNC is talking about someone in the military. You don't have to be in the military to serve or to love your country.

look   September 2nd, 2008 10:20 pm ET

so far the convention is boring

The Iraq war IS legal   September 2nd, 2008 10:20 pm ET

Yes, I suppose the convention and speech are quite boring compared to the pompous and circumstance of last week's all show and no go Dem convention.

Stephy   September 2nd, 2008 10:19 pm ET

The RNC is just a big salad bar for the republicans… no meat. They don't have any relevent policies, they don't get the economy and they have no new ideas. It's more of the same.

Bella, NC   September 2nd, 2008 10:19 pm ET

Why is the Republican convention so boring. Can they do a bit more to spice it up. It feels like this is the 7th night and not the first.

Brad   September 2nd, 2008 10:18 pm ET

I have no idea what anyone is saying, they all keep talking about war.

Blue Oasis   September 2nd, 2008 10:18 pm ET

Were those columns I saw in the Bush speech?

Tyrone Brown   September 2nd, 2008 10:17 pm ET

That was about all I could take..so hats off to Bush for not wasting the airtime. Republicans are probably breathing a sigh of relief too.

Obama/Biden '08

jason   September 2nd, 2008 10:16 pm ET

is it even worth critisizing bush anymore? it's sort of like picking on a third grader.

only a lot of second graders elected him president…

No Way, No How, No George McCain!   September 2nd, 2008 10:16 pm ET

Um Wasn't Ronald Regan a celebrity? But that ok because he is a repub right???

Stephanie   September 2nd, 2008 10:16 pm ET

No one really thinks Bush is actually helping do they? I cant wait till this administration is out for good! Nothing about this convention is changing my mind about anything. Im glad they can wave our Flag and remind us of patriotism, but that has been the way this administration has tried to get us to believe in them and it hasnt done much good.Im tired of the lies, Im tired of the hidden agendas… Im ready for results! Good bye and good riddance!

Ratgurl   September 2nd, 2008 10:15 pm ET

"For the Republicans, 1980 is Year 1: the date history truly began." But they'll gladly take credit for the accomplishments of Lincoln.

Another time, another place, and definitely another party.

Diane Dagenais Turbide   September 2nd, 2008 10:15 pm ET

Why do I feel I am in 1980 at this very moment!

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