ST. PAUL, Minn. -- President George W. Bush appeared at the Republican National Convention the new-fashioned way: virtually. He "beamed" in with his message via satellite from the White House, delivering his support for Sen. John McCain on huge screens to the packed crowd.

Bush was scheduled to speak in person Monday night, but decided instead to focus on Hurricane Gustav, which looked to be heading for New Orleans. Many delegates said they understood and appreciated the president's choice.

"Bush is taking care of business," said Bob Sullivent, a delegate from Texas, adding, "It would have been great to have him here, but Republicans believe in business first ... country first."

Mary Welling of Illinois felt Bush "would have added so much to this convention" and was sorry he could not attend, but also agreed he was doing his presidential duty.

Jan Smith of Texas was proud the president stayed away: "Under the circumstances, Bush needs to take care of America. This party will take care of itself."

Asked if she thought that Bush actually boosted the McCain campaign by not attending the convention, Smith said that it would help refute "those trying to associate McCain as a third Bush term, but that Bill (Clinton) did not help Obama very much, either."

Tim O'Neill, a delegate from West Virginia, felt that Bush's remote appearance neither helped nor hurt McCain, but said that their "differences go back eight-plus years," yet they are both part of the same party. O'Neill felt "the only people it hurts are the Democrats, Obama supporters, who are attempting to link the two."

Meanwhile, the president's wife Laura and parents all attended the convention and were the centers of attention even when they took their seats amid the other honored guests. Convention organizers had to keep clearing the aisles of well-wishers and photographers trying to catch a glimpse of the Bush family.