Obama Torpedoes Traditional Convention Truce

Forget decorum; the permanent slap-fight between Dems and Repubs is more fun

With two days on the road as a hurricane heads toward New Orleans, President Barack Obama is shredding the final remnants of a venerable tradition in presidential politics: Each party takes a break from campaigning during the other party's convention.

The notion of a convention "truce" took a hit four years ago, when both Obama and Republican John McCain opted for a few campaign jaunts during the other's party gathering.

But such a high-profile campaign swing — the first by a sitting president during his opponent's convention in recent history — marks a counter-programming offensive that ends what traditionalists consider a last vestige of civility in an age of nonstop partisan combat.