Some Republicans Skipping GOP Convention

Has the Republican brand really gotten this bad? CongressDaily is reporting that "[n]ine of 12 targeted Republicans running in the most competitive Senate races this fall are either skipping the Republican convention in St. Paul, Minn., or have not decided whether to attend."

The group includes embattled Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens, Maine Sen. Susan Collins, New Hampshire's John Sununu, and Elizabeth Dole of North Carolina.

It perhaps isn't shocking that these candidates would avoid St. Paul: Polls have shown that President George W. Bush, who will speak at the convention, has a sub-30 percent approval rating, while the Republican Party as a whole is seen more negatively than positively.

Democrats, meanwhile, are generally seen more positively than negatively in polls, and most seem eager to grasp the coattails of presumptive nominee Barack Obama: CongressDaily writes that "most Democrats in those races are either planning to attend the party's late August convention in Denver or are leaning toward attending the event."

The outlet also notes that Republicans aren't citing Mr. Bush or John McCain as their reason for passing on the convention, saying instead that they have to focus on campaigning.