It seemed to me that the delegates and other convention attendees were even more eager than usual to get to the Xcel Energy Building Thursday evening. I think we were all feeling really good about the McCain-Palin ticket.
A group of people had gathered at a home in Grants Pass, and they asked me to call them on my cell phone from the convention floor. It was about 5:30 p.m. Oregon time, so it was about 7:30 here in St. Paul. Anyway, they wanted to hear and feel the excitement over the phone. This call occurred just before Cindy McCain came on the stage.
After the great speech by John McCain the confetti began to fall and the balloons began to fall and fall and fall. One of the women landed on the carpeted floor with the balloons covering her. She was laughing so hard she couldn't get up. We gave her several hands to get her up.
One of our Oregon delegation had been in the Army and her husband is currently in the Army and rehabilitating from an injury received in Afghanistan. He sent her a text message: " John McCain's message was inspirational and moved me to tears."
This was probably the most energized gathering of Republicans I have ever seen. The sentiment expressed is, "Don't count your chickens before they're hatched, Barack Obama!'
Friday, September 5, 2008
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Thursday: Palin's presence builds excitement
The Oregon delegates were privileged to hear from five distinguished speakers at our hotel yesterday: New York Gov. George Pataki; Guam Gov. Felix Camacho; California Congressman David Dreier; retired corporal Miamora and retired captain Gerald Coffee.
Coffee was in the POW camp with Sen. McCain and explained the tapping system they devised to communicate with each other. I couldn't help but wonder how in the world they could keep a matrix like that in their heads with all the suffering and pain they were going through. Each of the men attested to the honorable character of John McCain.
At the convention last night, with the appearance of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, her speech, the Palin family on stage and then senator and Mrs. McCain, there was so much energy in the building it was amazing!
Some of us were talking about the current events when I made the comment that I had never considered myself a feminist; however, I am feeling so proud that our nominee for vice president is a woman. One of the men said to me: "I never considered myself a feminist, either, but I am really proud that she is a woman, too!"
This morning, the Oregon delegation enjoyed a breakfast here at the hotel with Congressman Dick Armey, former majority leader and now the Freedom Works leader. I have to pass on to you one of his lines. He said, "The Republican Party has been looking for another Ronald Reagan. Whoever would thought she would come to us in a skirt?"
I can't imagine how tonight's convention can equal or top the third night, but this convention has certainly been filled with one surprise after the next.
Until tomorrow.
Coffee was in the POW camp with Sen. McCain and explained the tapping system they devised to communicate with each other. I couldn't help but wonder how in the world they could keep a matrix like that in their heads with all the suffering and pain they were going through. Each of the men attested to the honorable character of John McCain.
At the convention last night, with the appearance of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, her speech, the Palin family on stage and then senator and Mrs. McCain, there was so much energy in the building it was amazing!
Some of us were talking about the current events when I made the comment that I had never considered myself a feminist; however, I am feeling so proud that our nominee for vice president is a woman. One of the men said to me: "I never considered myself a feminist, either, but I am really proud that she is a woman, too!"
This morning, the Oregon delegation enjoyed a breakfast here at the hotel with Congressman Dick Armey, former majority leader and now the Freedom Works leader. I have to pass on to you one of his lines. He said, "The Republican Party has been looking for another Ronald Reagan. Whoever would thought she would come to us in a skirt?"
I can't imagine how tonight's convention can equal or top the third night, but this convention has certainly been filled with one surprise after the next.
Until tomorrow.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Wednesday: Oregon delegates - and alternates - get floor time
A great day at the convention!
Oregon works very hard at getting the alternate delegates down on the convention floor. How do we do this? Well, it is a little like musical chairs in that there are half as many chairs on the floor as there are delegates and alternate delegates, so how does everyone get seated? The red badges are allowed on the floor representing delegate status. The blue badges indicate alternate delegate status, so the person with the delegate/red badge leaves the floor, goes to the alternate section, exchanges a red badge for the blue of an alternate. This method offers everyone participation.
The true story of an American hero, a Navy Seal, was projected on the screen. He sacrificed his own life to save the lives of fellow servicemen. I don't believe there was a dry eye in the building. Personally, I thought of our grandson who is in the Navy, so I called him and left a simple message on his cell phone, "I love you."
Until tomorrow.
Oregon works very hard at getting the alternate delegates down on the convention floor. How do we do this? Well, it is a little like musical chairs in that there are half as many chairs on the floor as there are delegates and alternate delegates, so how does everyone get seated? The red badges are allowed on the floor representing delegate status. The blue badges indicate alternate delegate status, so the person with the delegate/red badge leaves the floor, goes to the alternate section, exchanges a red badge for the blue of an alternate. This method offers everyone participation.
The true story of an American hero, a Navy Seal, was projected on the screen. He sacrificed his own life to save the lives of fellow servicemen. I don't believe there was a dry eye in the building. Personally, I thought of our grandson who is in the Navy, so I called him and left a simple message on his cell phone, "I love you."
Until tomorrow.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Tuesday: Laura Bush, Cindy McCain provide high points
The business portion of the Republican National Convention for the opening was conducted very smoothly, no hitches.
The highest point was the moment First Lady Laura Bush stepped onto the stage. The crowd went wild and the applause must have lasted more than five minutes. Then after a few words, she introduced Cindy McCain. Wow! Again the crowd went wild, and there was whistling and thunderous applause.
The Oregon delegation has the best seating we have had since I began attending. We are located in the front near the stage. It is so good to see each of the speakers clearly.
I have been here in Minneapolis for more than a week now, because the Platform Committee convened a week before the convention. This was the first time I have served on the Platform Committee. The platform is a document that explains what the Republican Party stands for and what our goals are. I believe that we produced a really good document, one that is easily read. The goal was to cut it to half the size of the previous one. I am told we accomplished our goal. By the way, there is one man and one woman from each of the states and territories on the committee.
There is a meeting to attend, so until tomorrow.
The highest point was the moment First Lady Laura Bush stepped onto the stage. The crowd went wild and the applause must have lasted more than five minutes. Then after a few words, she introduced Cindy McCain. Wow! Again the crowd went wild, and there was whistling and thunderous applause.
The Oregon delegation has the best seating we have had since I began attending. We are located in the front near the stage. It is so good to see each of the speakers clearly.
I have been here in Minneapolis for more than a week now, because the Platform Committee convened a week before the convention. This was the first time I have served on the Platform Committee. The platform is a document that explains what the Republican Party stands for and what our goals are. I believe that we produced a really good document, one that is easily read. The goal was to cut it to half the size of the previous one. I am told we accomplished our goal. By the way, there is one man and one woman from each of the states and territories on the committee.
There is a meeting to attend, so until tomorrow.
Monday: a convention abbreviated by Gustav
The first day of the Republican National Convention has begun much differently than the previous two conventions I have attended, because of Hurricane Gustav. It goes without saying that the entire delegation is very concerned about our friends in the states that are being drastically impacted by the hurricane, and our prayers go out to them.
As it has been reported in the media, the RNC has abbreviated the convention. We must, however, conduct the business portion of the meeting.
The Minneapolis-St.Paul host committee has been extremely welcoming.
Are we excited about Senator McCain choosing Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate? The energy since the announcement is insurmountable! She is a first in so many ways, and she is from the Pacific Northwest.
Yesterday I attended the delegation welcome reception at the Minneapolis Convention Center. It began with patriotic music, food and making acquaintances with delegates and guests from all over the United States and Territories.
Some of the Oregon Delegation was standing together enjoying the music when we decided we needed to take a photo. I asked a couple standing near us if one of them would take our picture. The woman said that she would be happy to do so. I asked her if they were delegates. She said they were invited, as guests, because they had lost their son, a Marine, in the Iraq war. I held hands and told her how sorry I was. After returning to my group from Oregon, I related the story to them, while wiping away the tears.
Until tomorrow.
As it has been reported in the media, the RNC has abbreviated the convention. We must, however, conduct the business portion of the meeting.
The Minneapolis-St.Paul host committee has been extremely welcoming.
Are we excited about Senator McCain choosing Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate? The energy since the announcement is insurmountable! She is a first in so many ways, and she is from the Pacific Northwest.
Yesterday I attended the delegation welcome reception at the Minneapolis Convention Center. It began with patriotic music, food and making acquaintances with delegates and guests from all over the United States and Territories.
Some of the Oregon Delegation was standing together enjoying the music when we decided we needed to take a photo. I asked a couple standing near us if one of them would take our picture. The woman said that she would be happy to do so. I asked her if they were delegates. She said they were invited, as guests, because they had lost their son, a Marine, in the Iraq war. I held hands and told her how sorry I was. After returning to my group from Oregon, I related the story to them, while wiping away the tears.
Until tomorrow.
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