Delegate Report from the RNC Aug 28

This will be quick – have to be on a bus shortly for the convention – I got to bed VERY late (explained below) & slept in, then worked out.

Tuesday morning at 10 we had a delegation brunch in a huge tent-like structure, w. lots of press.  Hewitt again MC’d, but Dennis Prager (whom I’d listed as a favorite on a questionnaire) gave one of the main talks, speaking of Adam Corolea (sp?) who became conservative after listening to him – when they hear us, they’ll come over, if we nicely, humorously, vigorously make the case for conservative values.  Also his usual themes of the American trinity on the coins, entitlements create unhappy people, etc.  Hohn Boehner then spoke of the 12 contested seats in CA, and “the only way Nancy Pelosi will get the gavel back is by prying it from my cold, dead hands.”  His political career began as pres. of his homeowners assn. Mitt’s VP choice says more about Mitt than Ryan.  Our job is to give the same opportunities to ouir kids, etc.  Darrel Issa (fellow delegate) spoke of Reagan’s “trust but verify” in keeping gov’t honest.  Obama spoke of government reforms, but he’s not submitted even one such bill.  Hewitt called theoccupy movement the 1%.

Starting 11:30 we were cueing up for the 12:00 buses (delegates first for the afternoon business mtg., alternates later).  The first bus arrived about 12:30, and I was on the second at 1:00.  I sat next to a delegate from Marianas Islands – one of 9, and learned a lot about the commonwealth that includes Saipan, which is where a marine I know at the gym was injured.  It took us an hour (not the advertised 30-40 min.) to get to the convention – arriving on the floor about 20 minutes into it – apparently didn’t miss much.  Lots of security, and the security perimeter’s so large, I haven’t seen a single protester – only pictures in the paper. 

The Forum is big, and even the largest delegation (CA) seems dwarfed.  We’re left rear facing the podium, next to Texas (the next largest delegation, all in cowboy hats) & behind Michigan & Mass. (both Romney territory).  Impressive video screens, lights everywhere, the debt clock, media everywhere, etc.  We were given assigned seats the first day only, and I was in arm’s length of the California sign – 3 rows behind it on the aisle.  So a constant flow of media up & down the aisle – I think every one of them made a stop to photograph the American flag boots of the guy right in front of me.  It took me a while in floor level corridors to find some water (couldn’t bring any in, like airlines), and the restroom, which was right next to several news rooms, incl. Fox (saw Carl Cameron on a cell phone there & he seemed to hang out next to our delegation.  Also saw CNN’s Wolf Blitzer, the Fox focus group guy (forgot his name), etc.

We’d been warned to be ready for a Ron Paul ruckus, and to chant “USA” – I should have known it would come from the neighbor Texas delegation, shouting “Point of order” during the rules committee report & vote.  It went on until they went horse, but we did our best, despite being less than half strength due to continuing late bus problems.  Then the platform committee report & vote.  Bob McDonald said the GOP now stands for “great opportunity party.”  Speeches in support of the nominee (Mitt Romney) by Sununu, etc. Then the roll call of the states, alphabetically, and only Romney’s count was repeated, though Ron Paul got a few here & there, which they were very vocal about when they failed to repeat his.  So we started saying “Ron Paul, 0” as happened more often.  Romney of course went over the top to become the official nominee & we cheered, then completed the roll call.  Pete Wilson cast all 172 of our votes for Romney, saying we’re the state that gave the country Reagan.  

Many state candidate speeches.  Stacy Day called it the most important election in our nation’s lifetime, and said our sacrifices are small compared w. those our children will make if we don’t win this election. 

[Report on the evening session in the next post]