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The Republican National Convention offers the GOP and Vice President George Bush a challenge and an opportunity. Whatever official business is transacted in New Orleans-and it comes down to naming a presidential and vice presidential ticket-the whole week is theater, providing the single best opportunity, short of a presidential debate, to send the American people a message.

Four weeks ago the opposition had their shot and, as Democratic Conventions go, hit at least a triple-in this ball game, we won't know until November. They displayed loud cheers, great lighting, lots of smiles and enough wit, zings and Bush-bashing to satisfy even the most rabid Democrat. The whole effort was a demonstration of unity and rallying around the nominee. Video shots-live and canned-were used to manifest that mood. Even the rusty 25-year-old snow blower was brought out as a tangible symbol of Gov. Michael S. Dukakis' frugality.

I don't know about that image. It made me wonder how many healthy 29-year-olds, living in semidetached houses in a thickly settled area like Brookline, Mass., were buying snow blowers 25 years ago. I mean, the plastic snow shovel had been invented by 1963. It's sort of like a guy in a townhouse with a drivable lawn mower.

Well, now it's the Republicans' turn, and they should put on a good show-or, should I say, they better. Whether people sit and watch it all or just catch snippets on the news, an image will get across. Keynote address, platform presentation, speeches-all will contribute to an overall feeling. And emotions count in politics.

Ultimately it will be Bush's show, and any gain out of it will be for his candidacy. By keeping his vice presidential choice close to his vest for the next few days, he will heighten the suspense and keep the media jerking at their leashes in his direction. He will have an excellent supporting cast, led by his wife, family and friends-including the First Lady, Nancy Reagan, and her husband-not only one of the best supporting actors Hollywood ever produced, but also the current 800-pound gorilla of U.S. politics.

New polls show the race is narrowing again from the Democratic high following that convention. This should do much to discourage the network convention floor reporters from asking, too many times, how GOP congressional candidates "plan to run away from the vice president in their own campaigns." In fact, the Bush campaign has done a good job of liaison with congressional incumbents and challengers. They are on board.

OK, George, it's time. The big show begins tomorrow-the first day of the rest of your campaign.

Theme the convention and your acceptance speech to remind America where we are now, and where we were eight years ago: economically-most Americans are better off; internationally-more people in the world are closer to peace; and in terms of our nation's spirit-we look outward with confidence, not inward with doubt. Stress the differences betweenDukakis and you. And finally tell the United States where you want to take it in the future and your vision of how we and our children get there.

In a personal note, I'd like to say goodby. I have enjoyed working on these columns the last nine months, and hope they have been interesting and fun to read from time to time. I don't like to stop, but I'm an old warhorse who has heard the bugle play the call to arms-and have just had my enlistment papers approved. I'm going to be campaign director for whomever the vice presidential candidate will be, and I welcome the challenge.

It's going to be an exciting 12 weeks-and a close race; be sure to watch and listen. After all is said and done, it's about your country.