ST. PAUL — While America had itself turned inward, enamored with Barack Obama's Invesco Field address and pondering John McCain's choice of little-known Alaskan Gov. Sarah Palin as a running mate, the world didn't stop.

An emboldened Russia, fresh off its reassertion of authority over the Eastern Bloc, set to rebuilding its influence in the Middle East by beginning negotiations for a new weapons deal with Syria to check an American missile shield in Poland. It also set to work affirming ties with Jordan — greater trade, weapons, other close relations on the table. Jordan, in turn, began to reconnect with Hamas. Baghdad and Beijing reached a major oil deal.

The U.S. forces turned over control of al-Anbar province to Iraqi troops, with mounting tensions clearly under the surface, as the federally backed provincial council bristled against tribal leaders the U.S. has strengthened over the past few years to beat back jihadis. Both groups challenge the other's authority in the Sunni territory, formerly the hotbed of Iraq's civil war and insurgency.

This party and convention have simply failed to connect beyond the crowd in St. Paul, possibly with the exception of Fred Thompson's moving speech about John McCain's life and time as a prisoner of war. Once Gustav passed with far less destruction than anticipated, convention parties and gluttony here moved into full swing.

Laura Bush's statement Tuesday night that "In Afghanistan and Iraq 50 million people are now living in freedom," and Thompson's cry that a Republican administration will drain the Washington “swamp” left even those on the political right shaking their heads.

Noticeably absent between chants of "Country First" has been any mention of the economy, likely the most important issue for voters come November. What hasn't been absent, however, is fanfare for Republican leaders of old. It'd be hard for a foreign observer to believe that George Bush ranks amongst the least popular of American presidents if he or she were on the floor in St. Paul on Tuesday night.

The roar of the crowd Monday night as Laura Bush appeared on stage, almost unannounced — certainly without the rock ballad or personal introduction leading figures typically receive at conventions — reminded me of a simple fact: Republicans haven't had much to cheer of late.

George Bush himself seemed almost giddy Tuesday night, trying to hide his telltale smirk, while appearing via satellite from the White House — reminding me that he, too, hasn't found himself in front of an huge, adoring crowd in a good amount of time. Likely not since a trip to Albania last summer when George, high on adulation, nearly went crowd surfing.

Looking around the floor of the Xcel Center, though, through all the pomp and cheer, there's little question: This is an insular event, a week of celebration for yesterday's party — a gathering of predominantly white-haired white men and women. African-Americans, for instance, make up just 1.5 percent of delegates compared with 24.5 percent of the DNC's delegate pool.

Young Republicans have struggled for years to build bases on college campuses — Barack's 1.4 million Facebook supporters clearly dwarfing McCain's 262,110 — and have far less of a presence than their counterparts had in Denver.

Once the balloons and confetti have been cleared, after the media hashing of Palin subsides, this party will be left with a failing economy, a failed foreign policy and little room to assail the Democratic ticket for lack of experience.

This election will come down to two simple issues, both of which will be measured in the debates: first, whether John McCain can assure a departure from the policies of George Bush; and second, whether America feels comfortable with Obama at the helm.

After the media reorients, letting Palin-gate slip away and reminding us of the ramifications of the Bush foreign policy, once we're reminded that global realities and failed economics are far more important than Joe Lieberman's endorsement, then this campaign will begin again. After 19 months of jockeying, Monday will set off the real campaign, candidates virtually neck and neck, and hopefully with key policy matters of the world as the centerpiece of debate.

Brian Till can be contacted at brian.m.till@gmail.com. To find out more about the author and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

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