Convention Wrap

Dotty Lynch, Beth Lester, Clothilde Ewing, Lauren Glasser and Allen Alter from the CBS News Political and Campaign '04 Units have the latest political news from Washington and from the trail:

Monday's Headlines

* Republican Convention Kicks Off

* Log Cabin at the Convention

* Bush on His Way

* Cheney Loves the Big Apple

* Kerry's Team Doesn't Take a Break

* Edwards Goes Home But Not to Rest

Republican Convention Kicks Off: Finally, the speculation that Dick Cheney will be replaced as the vice presidential nominee may actually end on Monday. At 1:00p.m., Cheney's name will be officially put forth as the Republican VP candidate. Actually, both Bush and Cheney's name will be placed in nomination for second terms on Monday and an alphabetical state-by-state roll call spanning several nights will follow. There are 2,509 voting delegates and Bush needs a simple majority or 1255 votes to be nominated. He is expected to go over the top on Tuesday night.

Meanwhile, the New York Times takes a look at Republicans plans to remind the nation of the Sept. 11 attacks throughout the week.

The Times reports: "Party aides said the convention would begin with an elaborate tribute to Sept. 11 victims, with speeches by Senator John McCain and former Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani, reminding voters of Mr. Bush's role in leading the nation after the attacks, which took place a couple of miles from Madison Square Garden, home of the convention."

"Winston Churchill saw the dangers of Hitler when his opponents and much of the press characterized him as a warmongering gadfly," Giuliani plans to say, according to excerpts from his speech released last night. "George W. Bush sees world terrorism for the evil that it is, and he will remain consistent to the purpose of defeating it while working to make us ever safer at home," he continues.

And McCain will talk about the attacks in his speech today, according to excerpts from his planned remarks which were also released last night. "No American alive today will ever forget what happened on the morning of Sept. 11th," Mr. McCain will say. "That day was the moment when the hinge of history swung toward a new era."

In addition to McCain and Giuliani, a number of other speakers will participate in the day's activities. At the daytime session, speakers include: NYC Mayor Bloomberg, BC04 Campaign Chairman Mark Racicot, RNC Chairman Ed Gillespie, Rep. Dennis Hastert and a host of candidates in House, Senate and governor races. At the evening session, speakers will include Gillespie, Hastert, Former Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik, American Islamic Congress Executive Director Zainab Al-Suwaij, football star Jason Sehorn, actress Angie Harmon and Senator Lindsey Graham among others.

Log Cabin at the Convention: As the delegates gather, the Republican Convention is trying to host both socially conservative and liberal Republicans alike. America's most distinguished gay Republican organization, the Log Cabin Republicans, arrived in town draped in red, white, and blue and hit the scene ready for action, lobbying that gay Republicans are the purest form of American patriotism, reports the Los Angeles Times.

The Log Cabin group feels that conservative Republicans are the ones shunning true family values and endorsing discrimination, explains Patrick Guerriero, the group's executive director. Guerriero feels that the war amongst conservatives and liberals is dividing both the country and the Republican Party. Although a majority of the key Republicans at the convention are as conservative as they come, crucial figures including New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and New York Gov. George Pataki, are willing to stand up for the beliefs of the Log Cabin sector.

The overall feeling from the liberal Republicans at the convention, however, is that the high volume of publicity towards moderates is just a front for the convention: most conservatives will not be highlighted this week. The tension amongst the party members, on the other hand, will be. Some Republican delegates, like Phyllis Schlafly, feel that the party shouldn't concern itself with the beliefs of its gay members, reports the Times. But Log Cabin activists are ready to see that change.

At a news conference Monday morning, the group unveiled a new ad which will run during the convention week. The ad, which features a clip of Ronald Reagan, asks Republicans "will we unite on the things that matter most" or "or will we divide the American family with the politics of intolerance and fear that only lead to hate." Now, the only question remaining is how the gay Republican community will support their openly conservative candidate, President Bush.

President Bush is On His Way to New York: President and Mrs. Bush are letting their daughters hold down the fort for the time being in New York. They are missing a lot of parties, but for them the action is in the battleground. CBS News' Mark Knoller reports:

Knoller Nugget: His nomination at the Republican National Convention may be a foregone conclusion but his re-election is not. That's why President Bush won't be in New York on Monday. Or Tuesday. Or until Wednesday afternoon.

Bush figures his time is better spent campaigning in states indispensable to his strategy for winning a second term. His targets Monday are New Hampshire and Michigan. Both are battleground states decided in 2000 by narrow margins.

New Hampshire was one of the narrowest. Candidate Bush won the state four years ago by just 1.27% of the vote. The Bush campaign figures that's just 28 votes per ward, definitely not a margin the President can take for granted. New Hampshire has only four electoral votes but, in a race this tight, Mr. Bush cannot afford to lose any states that were his last time around.

In Nashua, he is doing one of his "Ask President Bush" campaign events at which the questions from ardent supporters often border on the sycophantic. It's his eighth visit as President to the Granite State and the fourth so far this year.

Later in the day, the president does another rally in Taylor, Michigan, outside Detroit.

Mr. Bush lost Michigan in 2000 but feels he cannot surrender it unchallenged to John Kerry. The Bush campaign argues that the economy is improving in Michigan, though the unemployment rate is still above the national average. Further, the president's political operatives boast they've built "an unprecedented grassroots operation" in Michigan to get supporters of both parties and independents registered to the polls.

On Tuesday, the President heads to Nashville to address the American Legion National Convention.

Over the weekend, the President was in Wheeling, West Virginia. The Bush campaign sought to portray the President as best friend of coal miners and steelworkers.

At the WesBanco Arena, he met privately with a half dozen Weirton steelworkers who support his re-election even though their union has endorsed John Kerry. Then Mr. Bush addressed some 10,000 supporters at a rally. He was introduced by Rick Casini, the union shop steward at Weirton Steel. He proclaimed himself a Democrat who supports Bush. He said the protectionist tariffs the President imposed "saved West Virginia," even though Mr. Bush removed the tariffs half-way through their three year run to avoid a trade war. Casini was joined on stage by a few other union members wearing "Steelworkers For Bush" t-shirts.

On the issue of steel, the president told cheering supporters: "I thought I needed to stand up for steel - and I did stand up for steel." He also leveled a new flip-flop charge against Kerry on the issue of clean coal technology. Mr. Bush quoted Kerry as calling coal a "dirty source" of energy before voting to support Clean Coal Technology. "He shifted," said Mr. Bush. "He's out there mining for votes."

At the same time, Mr. Bush portrayed himself as an avid angler and hunter in a state where fishing and hunting is a way of life. And he admitted that in West Virginia, "I'm hunting for votes." Really?

Cheney Loves the Big Apple: While the Bushes work the battleground, the Cheney's have been making the rounds in New York as CBS News' Josh Gross reports:

Trail Byte: A man bringing his family to Ellis Island in search of work and a prosperous future is not an uncommon image, considering the history of the New York harbor landmark. Having the governor, a former mayor, a cabinet member, the Coast Guard, the Secret Service and a cheering crowd herald this arrival is certainly unique.

Vice President Cheney came to the island Sunday to deliver a speech that kicked off the Republican National Convention's arrival in New York City. Accompanied by his wife, Lynne, and his daughters and grandchildren, Cheney's brief speech drew heavily upon Ellis Island being the locale that thousands of immigrants passed on their way to becoming Americans.

It was impossible, though, to ignore the fact that the backdrop for the speech was also a New York City skyline that is more notable for what it was missing than what was actually behind the Vice President and across the harbor. The audience's line of sight was drawn over the water to lower Manhattan, the spot where the World Trade towers once stood.

Cheney did not avoid the subject. Referring to the terrorist strikes on 9/11, he said, "They have attacked our nation and they wish to do us further harm, and it is from them that we must protect our children, our country, and our future."

He continued by stating why he is staying in New York for the entire convention.

"My job here this week and in the two months ahead, is to tell people all across America about how strong and steadfast our President is -- how compassionate and concerned. He is exactly the leader we need for these times. And we need him for four more years."

In the city, this is a very touchy subject. Many of the protestors feel the Republicans are taking advantage of the 9/11 tragedy for political gain. Beware the convention delegate who wears any overtly GOP clothing or paraphernalia or they could be subject to jeers and threats.

Delegates could be seen scurrying back to their hotel rooms in Times Square as protestors told them to "go home" or even accused them of having the blood of 9/11 victims on their hands and consciences.

Later on Sunday, the Vice President toured the main stage of Madison Square Garden. He and Lynne Cheney both checked the sound system by reading sections of the Gettysburg Address and made sure the blockish podium and teleprompters were at the right height. Both husband and wife will speak Wednesday night.

Asked if he had any surprises for the speech, the Vice President laughed, and said, "If I told you, it wouldn't be a surprise."

It is expected that the speech will draw on many of the same themes Cheney has used on the campaign trail in the past few weeks, especially the war on terror and security. He'll draw a distinction between the President's actions over the past three years and his perceived weaknesses of John Kerry's campaign proposals and Senate voting record.

Kerry Message of the Day: It is definitely the Republicans' week but the Kerry-Edwards campaign is trying to get its message out as well. The Kerry-Edwards team is selling three main points this convention-opening Monday. First, Camp KE believes that, after several weeks of Swift Boat-fueled controversy, Kerry has "emerged in very good shape," campaign manager Mary Beth Cahill told CBS News. They also believe that independents and moderates think that President Bush is behind the anti-Kerry ads and that is causing a backlash. The backlash may be a bit of wishful thinking, but the Kerry team is obviously staying on Swift Boat offense.

Second, in the expectations game, KE04 says journalists should expect Bush-Cheney to get the "average bounce of incumbents': 8 points" coming out of the convention, according to pollster Mark Mellman. That is only half of the infamous 15 points that Bush strategist Ken Mehlman tried to set as Kerry's expected bounce, but it is still a large number in such a polarized electorate. Shortly after the convention, KE04 believes, the polls will return to pre-conventions numbers

And third: speaking of what happens post-New York, the Kerry team is very positive about the outlook for September. Kerry strategist Tad Devine believes that "reality threatens to overwhelm the President" and that KE04 will "take the initiative for paid media" after the convention. Devine admitted that "August was always going to be our biggest challenge" but said things were going to change with the post-convention ability to "speak directly" to voters, presumably through advertising. While Devine declined to be specific about planned media buys, it's obvious that Kerry's people are planning a major ad initiative, going up in "some places earlier than others."

Look for the Democrats' to stay on message and on offense all week long. Also on Monday, the Democratic National Convention hosts a series of "Mission Not Accomplished" events and the Kerry-Edwards campaign hosts a conference call with
General Wesley Clark and Senator Joseph Biden to talk about national security ahead of John Edwards' national security speech in Wilmington, NC.

Kerry himself is in Nantucket taking a breather but CBS News' Steve Chaggaris is on the job:

Trail Byte: Senator Kerry this week is taking the last opportunity to rest his body and his voice before the final two month push towards Election Day.

Before arriving at his vacation home in Nantucket, Massachusetts shortly after 2 AM Sunday morning, he wrapped up a long week of campaigning with events Friday night and Saturday in Washington State.

Fatigue seemed to set in Friday as he began a town hall meeting in Everett, Washington - designed to be interactive between the audience and the candidate - with a windy, 49-minute opening statement. On Saturday, he addressed a rally in Tacoma where, despite at least five audience members requiring medical attention during his remarks, he spoke for 47 minutes to the crowd of an estimated 20,000 that had been standing for hours.

While Kerry is expected to lay low in Nantucket this week, with a diversion on Wednesday to Nashville to address the American Legion, on Sunday he surprised reporters by taking an unannounced windsurfing excursion near his beachfront home.

A network correspondent and camera crew were taping a segment for a story at Brant Point, about a quarter of a mile from Kerry's beachfront home in Nantucket, when suddenly several Secret Service agents, police and Coast Guard came into view. As the reporter took a closer look, he noticed Kerry on the water, struggling with the sail on his windsurfing board.

"I barely got out. I was testing my stuff," Kerry said later, after his virtually windless surfing attempt.

Assuming he'll get some wind Monday, though only 10-15 mph winds are predicted, he told reporters he'll "go out" again.

And making sure to formally invite the press to his next outing, he then added, "You can come."

Edwards Goes Home But Not to Rest: On Monday, John Edwards addressed the issue of national security at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. Edwards, who did not serve in the military, was joined by Gen. Wesley Clark and other veterans. In a press release, the campaign said "Stripping away the slogans, failed policies and personal attacks swirling around New York this week, Edwards said the Bush administration has led America down the wrong path in the wake of September 11th, and that only a new president and a new approach can make America as safe as it can be." Bush's recent "miscalculation" and "catastrophic success" comments were Edwards' main points of attack. CBS News' Bonney Kapp is with Edwards and saw this coming on Sunday:

Trail Byte: Senator Edwards' staffers seemed unfazed Sunday morning by Tropical Storm Gaston brewing in the Carolinas, although the beach town of Wilmington, NC was the campaign's next destination. As press and staff waited on board the campaign's 727 for what was supposed to be a 3:30 PM departure, the flight crew warned there would be a significant delay.

When the takeoff time came and went, the press deplaned and piled into vans for a new destination -- Edwards' Georgetown home in Washington, DC. The on-camera statement Edwards was to deliver on the tarmac of DC's Reagan National Airport turned into a gaggle with reporters on the sidewalk of the Senator's four-story brick home on P Street.

After a 16-second soundbite blasting President Bush's revelation to Time Magazine that the Iraq war was a "catastrophic success," the senator invited questions for the first time in 15 days from a stunned press corps. Three follow-up questions later, press secretary Mark Kornblau threw out the "thank you" that indicates time is up. "We can do one more," the senator said as the press eked out two more questions.

Edwards walked back into his home but not before one more question. A reporter who had been sitting on the idle airplane joked the traveling press corps could stay for dinner. Laughing, the senator replied, "If we're going to have dinner here, I'd like to know that."

Edwards' plane finally took off from DC three and a half hours after it was set to leave. Passing some impressive clouds along the way, the flight landed without incident at Wilmington's tiny airport.

After his speech on Monday, Edwards heads to Hungtington, West Virginia.

Quote of the Day: "You know, I don't know where George Soros gets his money. I don't know where - if it comes overseas or from drug groups or where it comes from," House Speaker Denis Hastert on the financier, who is bankrolling a number of liberal groups. (New York Daily News)