(AP) - John McCain tore up the script for hisRepublican National Convention on Sunday, casting himself as abovepolitics as Hurricane Gustav churned toward New Orleans. "We willact as Americans," not partisans, he declared.

"This is a time when we have to do away with our partypolitics, and we have to act as Americans," McCain added as fellowRepublicans converged on their convention city to nominate him forthe White House. Aides said Monday's program would be short andshorn of political rhetoric.

On the eve of his convention, McCain seemed determined to avoidthe errors made by President Bush three years ago. "I have everyexpectation that we will not see the mistakes of Katrinarepeated," he said.

Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney scrapped plans to addressthe convention Monday night, and McCain's aides chartered a jet tofly delegates back to their hurricane-threatened states along theGulf Coast. Campaign manager Rick Davis said the first-nightprogram was being cut from seven hours to two and one-half.

McCain said in an interview with NBC that it was possible hewould make his acceptance speech not from the convention podium butvia satellite from the Gulf Coast region.

The formal business of the convention includes nominating McCainfor president and Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his vice presidentialrunning mate on Wednesday. McCain's acceptance speech, set forprime time Thursday evening, is among the most critical events ofthe campaign for his chances of winning the White House.

The hasty reordering of an event months in the planning wasunprecedented, affecting not only the program on the podium but theaccompanying fundraising, partying and other political activitythat unfolds around the edges of a national political convention.