President Bush will come to St. Paul to address delegates of the Republican National Convention on Sept. 1, the first night of the gathering.

White House press secretary Dana Perino announced Bush's plans this morning, noting that the opening night of the convention "is traditionally when the incumbent speaks."

The announcement puts an end to intense speculation among Republicans about Bush's role at the convention and how his presence could best help boost John McCain's candidacy.

While Bush has had record low approval ratings in national polls, he remains highly popular with the GOP base.

That has presented McCain's advisers with a delicate balancing act, allowing him to maintain sufficient distance from Bush while not alienating the party's core voters, some of whom continue to have reservations about the Arizona senator.

Since March, when Bush endorsed McCain at the White House, the two have not appeared together. "Whatever he wants me to do, I want him to win," Bush said at the time.

In the months since, Bush has repeatedly used his fundraising prowess to raise cash for McCain and the party.

At the convention, it's unlikely that Bush and McCain will cross paths. Normally, the incumbent president leaves the convention city immediately after his speech and the presumptive nominee doesn't arrive until the convention is well underway.

Bush's speech will come several hours after anti-war protesters hope to mount a massive march on the Xcel Energy Center, where the convention will be held.