By David Usborne in St Paul

This is a public service announcement for anyone in Britain expecting to stay up to watch Sarah Palin take the stage in St Paul on Wednesday.   You may want to think about getting up early instead.    Even though we are one hour less removed here than we were in Colorado, it doesn't help much because Republicans don't seem to understand the concept of going to bed early.    All the big name speakers this evening - Tuesday - are being saved for the nine o'clock hour tonight (after 3 am UK time.) I assume Ms Palin will speak in that same period today.   We won't get the precise time till morning.

"Another who put country first".  That would be George Herbert Walker Bush, who came into the arena a few minutes ago with Barbara, just in time to watch a video biopic about his life, from fighter pilot to President.  'Country First' is the slogan of this week's convention and is spelled out on LED signs all around the area balconies, just in case we forget.  You can be sure, the crowd went pretty potty for George and Barbara.   I should report, however, that from where I am sittin at least, George Sr seems to have aged, looking a lot more unsure of step than I would have expected.

That lateness thing is all about prime-time television of course.   The networks are only willing to give the conventions one hour of live coverage these days, and not before 10pm eastern coast time.   Anyway, it will be time soon for tonight's key noters - Joe Lieberman, Fred Thompson and that other George. (But - lucky McCain - the President will appear only via satellite.)