A bad day for the GOP on politics, bailout plan (AP)

AP – Even for a party whose president suffers dismal approval ratings, whose legislative wing lost control of Congress and whose presidential nominee trails in the polls, it was a remarkably bad day for Republicans. Read more…

Update: Crist makes pre-taped address at the GOP Convention

Gov. Charlie Crist just made an appearance at the Republican National Convention, if only remotely through a pre-taped address.

Crist was third in a lineup of four Republican governors from Gulf States who bowed out of the convention as Hurricane Gustav stormed across the Gulf of Mexico.
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Bush cancels, GOP weighs shorter convention

AP – President Bush, Vice President Cheney and prominent GOP governors are all skipping the Republican National Convention, and the party is considering shortening its big four-day event as Hurricane Gustav approaches the Gulf Coast with potentially deadly strength. 
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Consumer price index expected to show another rise

AP – The Labor Department is expected to report a rise in the consumer price index for July, but not as large as June’s increase. The median estimate from economists surveyed by Thomson Financial/IFR was for a 0.4 percent gain, and after food and energy prices are stripped out, a 0.2 percent advance. In June, the index rose by 1.1 percent — the second-fastest monthly pace in 26 years.
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McCain calls for diplomatic effort with Russia

AP – Republican presidential candidate John McCain on Monday called for a multi-pronged diplomatic effort to force Russia to withdraw from Georgia, saying Moscow’s actions could have long-term implications for its relations with the rest of the world.
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Paulson says won’t stay at Treasury past January

Reuters – U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson said in an interview aired on Sunday he had no interest in staying in his post beyond January when a new administration takes office.
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