ST. PAUL, the United States, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President George W. Bush will speak to the Republican National Convention via satellite Tuesday night, party officials said.

    Republican National Committee Chairman Robert Mike Duncan told reporters in a conference call that Tuesday's focus will be on John McCain, who will be formally nominated as the party's presidential candidate.

    "It's going to be a lot about John McCain," Duncan said, adding Alaska governor Sarah Palin, McCain's running mate, is "penciled in" for her speech on Wednesday night.

    Also scheduled to speak at the conference on Tuesday night are former Senator Fred Thompson of Tennessee, a television actor who had challenged McCain for the Republican nomination in primary elections, and independent Senator Joe Lieberman of Connecticut, a McCain friend and supporter who was the Democratic vice presidential candidate in 2000.

    Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani is scheduled to deliver a major address in prime-time, most likely Wednesday.

    As Hurricane Gustav battered southern U.S. states, the Sept. 1-4 Republican National Convention started a much-shortened opening session in St. Paul, Minn. on Monday.