ELECTION 2004

Convention coverage • Ohio GOP's woe • Davis gets NY minute • GOP touts moderates • Gay activists won't push floor fight • Laura Bush's star is rising • Ohioans get special treatment • Notes from New York • Convention blog watch • Convention photo gallery More election news • Election special section

Tonight's lineup

Prime-time speakers at the Republican National Convention tonight:

•Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison of Texas
•Sen. Elizabeth Dole of North Carolina
•Rep. Anne Northup of Kentucky
•George P. Bush
•Miss America 2003 Erika Harold
•Sen. Sam Brownback of Kansas
•Sen. Bill Frist of Tennessee
•Secretary of Education Rod Paige
•Lt. Gov. Michael Steele of Maryland
•Calif. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger
•First lady Laura Bush.

Taft represents governors

Ohio Gov. Bob Taft addressed the convention Monday, speaking on behalf of the Republican Governors Association, which he heads.

Republicans run 28 states, Taft said. And 11 governorships, not all GOP controlled, are up for grabs in November.

"Our candidates have been working tirelessly to put themselves in a position to win in November. In fact, many of them are still in their home states pounding the pavement today," he said.

"They have energy. They have new ideas. They have vision. And with your support, they will carry the day in November."

Health keeps Pence home

FRANKFORT - Hip surgery knocked Lt. Gov. Steve Pence out of the Republican National Convention.

Pence, who underwent a hip replacement July 31, remained in Kentucky on his physician's advice, staff aide Ryan Watts said.

Most Kentucky delegates, including Gov. Ernie Fletcher, arrived Sunday.

Kentucky Republican Chairman John McCarthy said Hilda Legg, who had been an alternate delegate, was appointed to replace Pence as a voting delegate. Legg, of Somerset, works for the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Washington.

Serenading Lady Liberty

The Ohio delegation's Sunday evening cruise turned into a musical. While passing the Statue of Liberty, shrouded in mist and lit by the moon, the boaters spontaneously broke into "God Bless America."

"It was unbelievable," said Sen. George Voinovich, who hosted the cruise with his wife, Janet.

Cookies against Kerry

Rep. Mike Turner, who represents northern Warren County, provided red-white-and-blue fortune cookies to delegates Monday.

A sampling of the fortunes inside them:

• "During Kerry's first term he would: a) raise taxes or b) surrender to France."

• "Kerry Cabinet: Michael Moore, National Intelligence Director."

• And "Waffling is for breakfast, not for presidents."

Cookie eaters also could win prizes, including a combination binocular/digital camera.

Compassionate conservatives

Delegates for Ohio, Missouri and Florida - three states competing this year to be the decisive state in the election - will join Tuesday for the convention's "Compassion Across America" project.

The three delegations are scheduled to build and paint playhouses for needy children in Long Island City.

"Wear your work clothes to breakfast," Ohio first lady Hope Taft said.