From the convention: GOP gathering in full swing
By Gwendolynne Larson (Contact)
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
The Associated Press
Alternate delegate Alberta Brinkman of Emporia wears a pin in support of Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., on Tuesday as she sings the national anthem at the opening of the session of the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn.
Two Lyon Countians at the Republican National Convention were caught up in the excitement Tuesday as the convention got back into full swing. Hurricane Gustav hitting the Gulf Coast on Monday forced party officials to revise the first full day.
But Tuesday, the GOP was back in full swing as dignitaries filled the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minn., blasting Sen. Barack Obama, the Democratic presidential nominee, and singing praises for Sen. John McCain, the Republican’s own candidate.
“Karl Rove was there last night,” said Virginia Graham of Reading this morning.
“H.W. Bush and Barbara Bush were there,” she added, using the customary name to distinguish the elder President Bush from the current President Bush. “It was wonderful.”
Both Graham and Alberta Brinkman of Emporia, members of the Santa Fe Trail Republican Women, are attending the convention as Kansas alternate delegates. Although both have assigned seats in the alternate section, it’s common for delegates to swap passes to give others the chance to sit on the floor.
Graham was on the floor Tuesday afternoon. Brinkman took a turn Tuesday night during the crowd-pleasing speeches such as those from former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson and Democratic Sen. Joseph Lieberman. Brinkman said this morning she found herself near the CNN set.
“I watched the fellas do their live broadcast,” she said, noting that there is lots of foot traffic to impede views around the Kansas delegation on the floor.
But, she added, the alternate delegate section farther up is perfect for taking photos and viewing the proceedings — although she needed a Secret Service escort to get from the floor back to her seat after an announcement went out that no one else could leave their seats.
Security, Brinkman said, was high because of the number of dignitaries in the crowd Tuesday night. Although President Bush spoke via satellite from the Oval Office, and nominee McCain was campaigning in Pennsylvania and Ohio, the Xcel Energy Center crowd still saw the elder Bushes, First Lady Laura Bush, Cindy McCain and her children and John McCain’s 96-year-old mother.
Brinkman said she was especially impressed with the speeches by Thompson and Lieberman. Thompson’s theme was the courage and service of McCain, reminding the crowd of the nominee’s years spent as a prisoner of war during the Vietnam War whose arms were broken so often that he cannot raise them above his shoulders to salute the flag.
Lieberman’s theme, Brinkman said, was the importance of putting country before the party.
“Country matters more than party,” the Associated Press reported Lieberman as saying.
Lieberman, the 2000 Democratic vice presidential nominee, made a prime time appeal from the Republicans’ podium to disaffected Democrats and independents, the AP reported. Delegates booed heartily when he said Obama had voted to cut off funding “for our troops on the ground” in Iraq.
Thompson also attacked Obama, the AP reported, drawing some of the loudest cheers of the night as he scoffed at Obama, the 47-year-old Illinois senator who is seeking to become the first black president.
“Democrats present a history-making nominee for president. History making in that he is the most liberal, most inexperienced nominee ever to run for president,” Thompson said as delegates roared their agreement.
Despite the excitement of the convention hall, both Brinkman and Graham are finding plenty of other activities to occupy themselves. Before heading to the Xcel Energy Center Tuesday night, the attended a reception for the Kansas and Oklahoma delegations at the James Hill House in St. Paul. Sponsored by BNSF Railroad, the event featured Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kansas, and former Oklahoma Congressman J.C. Watts.
The women also attended a lunch and fashion show on Tuesday at Macy’s sponsored by the National Federation of Republican Women. During Tuesday’s breakfast with the Kansas delegation, Rep. Jerry Moran spoke. During this morning’s breakfast, Rep. Todd Tiahrt was expected to appear.
And this afternoon, both were looking forward to attending a special reception for former Sen. Bob Dole, recognizing his 60-plus years of service to the United States.
Then, tonight, both were to be back at the Xcel Energy Center to hear Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin formally accept the vice-presidential nomination.
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