Two of the most popular speakers on the first full night of the Republican National Convention are a Bush and a Democrat – First Lady Laura Bush, that is, and Senator Joseph Lieberman, according to recent Rasmussen Reports national telephone surveys.

Sixty-nine percent (69%) of voters nationwide have at least a somewhat favorable opinion of Mrs. Bush, with 40% Very Favorable. By contrast, only 23% see her at least somewhat unfavorably, and just seven percent (7%) say Very Unfavorable.

By even greater contrast, her husband, George W. Bush, who is slated to speak via satellite Tuesday night, is still hovering around the all-time low job performance rating of his entire presidency. During the month of August, 34% of adults said they approved of the way Bush performed his job, up two points from the all-time low reached in June.

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Lieberman, who was his party’s vice presidential nominee in 2000 but has since broken with national Democrats over their opposition to the war in Iraq, is regarded at least somewhat favorably by 59% of Republicans nationally. Fourteen percent (14%) rate their view of the Connecticut senator as Very Favorable.

Senator Norm Coleman, who is in a tight race with comedian Al Franken for his second term in Congress, will welcome Republicans to his home state of Minnesota Tuesday night. In a survey in mid-August, he was viewed at least somewhat favorably by 53% of voters in the state and Very Favorably by 49% of Minnesota Republicans.

Minnesota’s governor, Tim Pawlenty, who was on McCain’s short list of vice presidential possibilities, is virtually unknown to over half of voters. Thirty-one percent (31%) of GOP voters regard Pawlenty favorably, but 50% don’t know enough about him to have an opinion.

Another scheduled speaker, House Minority Leader John Boehner of Ohio, is regarded at least somewhat favorably by only 16% of voters and unfavorably by 30%. But over half (54%) aren’t sure what they think of Boehner despite his major leadership role in Congress. In fact, Democrats by a statistically insignificant one percentage point, seem to know more about Boehner than members of his own party.

With Monday’s opening session of the convention delayed at John McCain’s request while Hurricane Gustav threatened New Orleans, details are still being worked out for the rest of the convention. Wednesday night will feature a major speech by McCain’s running mate, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, and the roll call of the states. On Thursday night, McCain will deliver his acceptance speech.

Over half of voters (52%) have at least a somewhat favorable opinion of Palin, including 31% Very Favorable. Sixty-nine percent (69%) of GOP voters say McCain’s choice of Palin was a good one.

Among other potential speakers this week, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich is regarded at least somewhat favorably by 40% of voters and at least somewhat unfavorably by 49%. A longtime target of Democrats, the former Georgia congressman is highly regarded in his own party, with 35% saying their view of him is Very Favorable.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who is also seeking reelection this year, has a problem similar to Boehner’s. Twenty-one percent (21%) see him at least somewhat favorably, but 28% view him at least somewhat unfavorably. Fifty-four percent of GOP voters are unsure what they think of the Senate Republican leader versus 48% of Democrats.

Polling done immediately prior to McCain’s announcement of his vice presidential pick found two of his former rivals for the Republican presidential nomination, Mitt Romney of Massachusetts and Mike Huckabee of Arkansas, to be the most popular.

Ex-governors both, they too are expected to address the convention at some point.