Republicans in Tight Senate Races to Skip St. Paul

Most Republicans in tough Senate races this fall are ducking the GOP convention or have failed to confirm, the National Journal reports. Of those nine candidates in 12 targeted races, none are blaming President Bush's low ratings or John McCain's strained relationship with conservatives. Senators like Ted Stevens and Susan Collins say they must focus on campaigning.

Others, like Sens. Roger Wicker of Mississippi and John Sununu of New Hampshire, say they may attend the St. Paul, Minn. convention that will be bookended by Bush speeches. Most of their dozen Democratic competitors, however, have vowed to attend their party convention in Denver. (More John McCain stories.)