DAY IN A NUTSHELL The Republican convention opens but is heavily scaled back because of the threat posed by Hurricane Gustav to Gulf Coast states. Presidential nominee John McCain says the country must come before politics; his wife and First Lady Laura Bush appeal for aid for storm-hit areas. Meanwhile Mr McCain's running mate, Governor Sarah Palin, says her 17-year-old unmarried daughter, Bristol, is pregnant. KEY QUOTES "Bristol and the young man she will marry are going to realise very quickly the difficulties of raising a child, which is why they will have the love and support of our entire family."
Sarah Palin and her husband Todd release a statement on the pregnancy of their teenage daughter "I would strongly urge people to back off these kinds of stories. How a family deals with issues and teenage children, that shouldn't be the topic of our politics and I hope that anybody who is supporting me understands that is off limits."
Barack Obama, Democratic presidential candidate, responds to requests for a comment on the news of Bristol Palin's pregnancy "Our first priority for today and in the coming days is to ensure the safety and well-being of those living in the Gulf Coast region."
Laura Bush speaks on the opening day of the Republican convention "This is just one of those moments in history where you have to put America first."
Republican John McCain talks to NBC television about the decision to scale back his party's convention NUMBER NEWS A new CBS News poll suggests Barack Obama's lead over his Republican rival John McCain has grown following the Democratic convention last week, which 71% of Americans say they watched. Mr Obama and his running mate Senator Joe Biden now hold a lead of 48% to 40% support over Mr McCain and his vice-presidential choice, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin. CBS News, which started polling after Mrs Palin was named on Friday, finds that having her on the ticket may not make a big difference overall, with 13% of those surveyed saying they are more likely to vote for him as a result and 11% saying the opposite. However, her selection may have more of an impact on the male vote. Some 17% of men say they are more likely to vote for Mr McCain as a result, compared to 10% of women. Meanwhile the latest Rasmussen daily tracking poll gives Mr Obama a slim lead of 49% to Mr McCain's 46%. Gallup's daily poll of registered voters puts Mr Obama slightly further ahead, with 49% support to Mr McCain's 43%. DAILY PICTURE  Laura Bush and Cindy McCain spoke at the convention but only to deliver an appeal for humanitarian support for those battered by Hurricane Gustav
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This is just one of those moments in history where you have to put America first
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