GOP to welcome Bush — briefly

WASHINGTON — The Democrats had the awkwardness of the Clintons at their convention. Republicans now have their version of a precarious guest: President Bush.

Bush is scheduled to command the stage at the Republican National Convention on Monday. It is a moment of consequence and opportunity — for both parties.

The president's challenge is to sell the party's faithful, and perhaps even the not-so-faithful, on John McCain. The trick for Bush is avoiding linking his unpopularity too closely to the Arizona senator, who has spent months trying to carve out a niche as his own man.

There was never a doubt that Bush would be there. He is the leader of his party, a two-term president. Yet his stay will be brief.

The president speaks on the first night of the convention in St. Paul, Minn., but not until 10:40 p.m. EDT. After his speech, he intends to fly to the Camp David presidential compound in Maryland for the rest of the week.

The schedule could change if Hurricane Gustav hits Louisiana, perhaps as a major hurricane, by Tuesday.

If not, Democrats aching for more chances to say "Bush-McCain" in a single breath will be paying close attention. They are portraying a victory by McCain as a third Bush term, even though McCain has both backed and bucked the president over the years.

"It's tricky," said Bruce Buchanan, a University of Texas political scientist who has tracked the president's career. "Bush's job is to figure out a way to pass the torch in a way that does the least damage."

Conventions tend to be great motivators for party activists, and Bush is sure to get a warm embrace inside the hall. Yet this year's talk, as Bush knows, is about change, and it's not just Democrats who say some is needed.

McCain's campaign is the one that put out an ad saying, "We're worse off than we were four years ago."

The two men have become political allies, and Bush is raising money for McCain. But they have not been seen together since a fleeting handshake three months ago. There are no plans for a reunion at the convention.

Asked this year whether showing up for McCain could hurt the candidate more than help him, Bush joked that he would do whatever — endorse McCain, be against him — as long as McCain beats Democrat Barack Obama.

Aides say Bush does not take offense at being distanced. He knows it is just politics.

Bush plans to spend the majority of his speech on McCain. White House counselor Ed Gillespie said Bush will speak about what only a few people know firsthand: the requirements of the job, and how McCain fills them all. He'll praise McCain's "unique judgment, perspective and experience" to handle the challenges facing a nation at war, still under terrorist threat and with a weak economy.

Bush will express deep gratitude to those in the hall for all they have done for him, but he is not expected to spend much time reflecting on his eight years in office. He will not target Obama at all.

White House spokeswoman Dana Perino described it as "looking forward, rather than looking back."

William McGurn, the president's former chief speechwriter, said Bush's success will come in being heartfelt and gracious about McCain.