Republicans gather this week in New York City to officiallynominate President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney as theirstandard-bearers in the November election.

Most of the real work – constructing the party’s politicalplatform – has gone on behind the scenes with delegates and partyofficials laying out their beliefs, policies and goals. WhatAmerica will see this week on prime-time television is a parade ofGOP stars hoping to invigorate the party faithful and perhaps pickup a few fence-straddlers in the process.

In recent weeks, much has been made of the wartime records ofboth President Bush and Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., the Democraticnominee for president. The debate, of late, has become downrightnasty, calling into question the credentials of both men.

For the good of the Republican Party and the good of thepolitical process in America, we urge those who take their placebehind the podium to stay above the fray and stay on message – letvoters know what President Bush and his party have to offer ratherthan attacking Kerry military record.

While there may be valid points to be made regarding thesenator’s Vietnam-era record, the stage of a national convention isnot the place for launching such attacks.

Attacking Kerry’s military service runs the risk of backfiringwith veterans – many of whom are already solidly in the GOP camp -and with other voters. Besides that, Republicans’ time would bebetter spent laying out their own agenda.