Bush to skip Republican convention

President Bush waves as he walks on the South Lawn of the White House upon his return to Washington, August 27, 2008.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President George W. Bush will not attend the Republican convention and will instead address the assembly via satellite so he can oversee the federal response to Hurricane Gustav, the White House said on Sunday.

"The president and vice president decided not to travel to Minnesota due to the hurricane," White House spokeswoman Dana Perino told reporters. "We are working on alternate plans."

Perino said first lady Laura Bush would attend the convention.

(Reporting by Jeremy Pelofsky, editing by Chris Wilson)