In my view, it would be a big, big mistake if Bush were denied the opportunity to speak at the Republican convention — if Cheney were denied, too. A lot of people are saying, “Better that they stay away.” I think they are assets for McCain-Palin, certainly if deployed correctly. Bush can be very, very likable — it’s hard to get elected president twice without that. And there is huge affection for him among Republicans. Same goes for Cheney. And he is free to tear the bark off Obama and Biden.
Both of them should have their chance to speak — to have their videos, to read their full addresses, etc. Fear not Bush and Cheney. As Bill McGurn wrote in the Wall Street Journal, if McCain stresses too much how different he is from Bush, he could be different in this way, too: He could lose.