... and with the weekend coming, it's time for balloons galore!
To everyone, Republicans and not-Republicans alike - have a GREAT weekend!
As promised, the Blogland brings you photos from this year's Republican National Convention, courtesy of Moye Graham. Moye is a major Blogland fan from Clarendon County, who we supported in his successful bid for a Sixth District delegate slot.
As you are aware almost 300 people were arrested the first day of rioting in St Paul at the convention center outside. We have had a couple of Delegates hurt and hospitalized from protesters. They also uncovered a plan to take some hostages.
Just think I spent good money to be elected one just joking I am proud to be a Delegate from SC.
You can not walk the streets with out seeing someone protesting something In St. Paul but Minneapolis is not quite as bad but still has its share but it is not as bad as the news reports let on. Last night during the convention Sarah Palin speech a couple of people were pulled from the floor with stolen ID passes they were trying to disrupt what I believe was one of the best political speech I have ever heard. Our next VP was great she is at our hotel with the McCains also.
When we finally got back to the hotel last night, Governor Palin joined us in the bottom of the hotel near the lobby. Her parents joined us at about 1 AM and we all stayed until about 230 AM except Ms. Palin who left early. I got to bed at 4.
On the way back to hotel last night from convention I was on one of the last shuttles. We had to detour a few blocks from our hotel due to a group getting out of hand. You could see the tear gas dozens of police cars, fire trucks and ambulances believe me it still aint as bad as the media maybe putting out. Most of these protesters are anarchist and are here to make the GOP look bad. Also the Ron Paul people are not helping either. Over 10000 of his supporters met Tuesday night.
When we leave the convention compound the delegates are harrased slightly. The people on the streets are against the war mostly but also they believe we are going to outlaw abortion. They have their right and I certainly hope America will always allow people to voice their opinions. That is the reason so many Americans have died in wars for the freedom to express yourself and free speech.
I was a young person once like most of the protesters are and maybe back in the sixties and seventies I may had been out on the street with them given the chance. I know I would have, but we grow up.
Senator Graham told me this morning he is going to rock the house tonight. He speaks at 935 PM maybe CST not sure could be Eastern Time. He is planning he said to speak mostly about the war. Cindy McCain may come out at the end of his speech to introduce her husband John McCain.
McCain speaks at 10 PM. Y'all should watch it if you can and if you missed the Palin speech last night try to find it and watch it. I cannot say enough good about it. The SC Delegation is sitting to the right of the podium in front of us is Kentucky we are about 8 rows from the stage to the speakers right. Look for the SC sign.
There is tremendous excitement here. It's my second convention, and I'm glad to have been able to come back to help represent South Carolina. The folks of Minneapolis have been great hosts and done a great job so far.
My favorite moment so far was Fred Thompson's speech. His speech was on the money on the issues. You could feel the energy and excitement among the audience.
Many of us are looking forward to Sarah Palin's speech tonight.
Going on lunch cruise on the Mississippi river with Mark Hammond as his guest to the Republican State Leadership Committee, which is made up of GOP elected officials for all states such as the Sec. of State, Lt. Gov. etc. It's quite an honor to be the one person from SC on board not an elected statewide official.
The breakfast this morning with T Boone Pickens on the fifty floor at Windows of Minnesota was great. He is quite a speaker. My table consisted of me and Mark Hammond, Congressman Joe Wilson and his wife, Celestine Parker, Drew Johnson and parents. Going to miss some but we had Jenny Sanford, Mark Hammond, Richard Eckstrom, his daughter, Congressman Inglis, Andre Bauer, several members of parliament from Great Britain. Mr. Pickens wife. Katon Dawson and just so many more man. Jim DeMint also.
Made the case why we need John McCain. One part I really liked was when he said we already have 2 very important questions answered – who is this man and can we trust him to be our President.
A lot of my fellow SC delegation members are excited about the fall campaign and responded to Thompson's speech. They know why we need John McCain.
I always enjoy meeting delegates from across the country. Meeting fellow Secretaries of State that I’ve gotten to know over the years. We’re all ready to get back home with new ideas to serve our constituents - and to get John McCain elected.
I was really impressed with the speeches from Fred Thompson and Laura Bush. Cindy McCain did a wonderful job speaking to the NH/SC delegation breakfast, talked about their family and what kind of person John McCain.
6:04 p.m. Mark Hammond and I are at the GOP State Leadership Committee RNC in St Paul reckon the rest are wondering where we are.7:48 p.m.:On convention floor the Governor has arrived.8:01 p.m.: Just swapped out credentials to get Sandra Bryant on floor did Joshua Gross last night.9:32 p.m.: Joe Wilson is here beside me on floor.
Today has been tough. Need to make a lunch engagement in an hour.
Spent from 8 am until 1030 am at breakfast. Our speakers were none other than Cindy McCain, Rudy Giuliani, Sen. Dan Coates, POW with McCain named Lee Ellis, Sec. of Com. Carlos Gutierrez, Gov. Tim Roemer, Sen. Lindsey Graham, Rick Davis who is the McCain campaign head, Katon Dawson also the New Hampshire GOP Chairman. It was a joint gathering with New Hampshire and McCains group.
I cannot say enough about where the RNC and SCGOP has done to get us in this Hotel again it is the place to be. In attendance and I will miss someone was Mark Hammond, Jenny Sanford, Andre Bauer, Congressman Inglis, Henry McMaster, Ron Thomas of the SCGOP, Cindy Costas, Drew Mckissick, Glenn McCall and so many other RNC and SCGOP, New Hampshire GOP and NH and SC elected officials. We even had two of the McCain sons one is in the Naval Accademy the other the Marines. Most are staying here also here is Joe Lieberman, Fred Thompson have Mike Huckabee on way. Mitt Romney is here all of the McCain party.
Yesterday they set up a phone bank at hotel with 120 lines and raised $1.5 million dollars for hurrican relief. Several of our members are packing supplies to be sent for relief.
Last night at Senator Graham's low key milk and cookie gathering. The Senator gave a short speech and then introduced John McCain's sons. I actually got to meet them - one just got home from Iraq.
Mary Pearson, Dorchester County Treasurer and long-time Lowcountry GOP activist, reports in on Day Two:
Rays of sunshine and greetings from the Republican National Convention in Minneapolis. Yes, we are having a GOP Convention. However, it has been scaled way back due to the pending arrival of Hurricane Gustav somewhere in the Gulf and the atmosphere is quite subdued. We have been told that we will conduct only the official business to nominate our Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates for the 2008 General Election. Our focus will be on helping those in Gustav’s path and in their support for hurricane relief. I will update you as soon as those activities are scheduled. Senator McCain issued the following statement, “We must redirect our attentions and efforts. We will act as Americans - not Republicans - to help our fellow citizens in need.” It brings back first hand memories of Hugo and reports of Katrina and New Orleans. This is my third convention, but I do suspect this one will be the most remembered because of these unusual circumstances.
In June I told my husband that we would be vacationing in Minneapolis for the GOP convention in September. He was not nearly as excited as I was, but being the great husband he is, he said, “Yes, dear if that is what you want.” We arrived in the City of Friendly People Sunday afternoon to hot humid weather. Just what we had hoped to leave behind back at home.
Now maybe we could rest for a little while, but we hardly had time to get up to the room when I was summoned to be in the lobby for a delegation picture. Little did I know it was not going to be taken in the lobby of the hotel. We all lined up like good soldiers and marched off four blocks to the Minneapolis Convention Center for the picture. Now imagine getting all those people settled down with smiles and grinning faces for the group picture, but if anybody could do it our SC GOP Chairman, Katon Dawson could. We were so tired, but it was early, still more to do. Now it was time for our first delegation event. We had been invited to the 2008 Delegation Welcome Party. We mingled for awhile, standing, sifting, eating, and looking for someplace to sit. I know my eyes were trying to shut, but something took my eye some distance across the room. I could see a stovepipe hat towering above the crowd moving around. Chuck and made our way in that direction and to my belief there stood a gentleman in a long black top coated suit, black stovepipe hat, thin, and dark beard and yes it was none other than Abraham Lincoln. Well, why not, of course, Abe would be here after all the GOP is the Party of Lincoln. One more event tonight hosted by Speaker Bobby Harrell and we called it a day.
Monday morning arrived very quickly and time to pick up my credentials for the convention. I took my time surveying the great buffet which was hosted by one of our SC corporate sponsors. I continued my networking, one of my favorite things that I learned from the late Senator Strom Thurmond. Finally when I settled down at my table I turned and who did I see but General George Washington. First Abe and now President Washington all within a 12 hours span. President Washington delivered our invocation.
The official business of the convention began this afternoon lasting for about two and half hours. We had two surprise guests, First Lady Laura Bush and Senator McCain’s wife Cindy. The convention had been very quiet up until this time, but it erupted when they came in. They brought messages from their husbands for the people in the Gulf States reminding us that we are all Americans first and must come together to help all those in need.
One more event tonight. It was Senator Graham’s famous Milk and Cookies get together. I was very excited to meet Senator McCain’s sons and found them very warm and compassionate like their Dad. One is already in the Marine Corps taking after his Dad.
I did not attend today's session since I attended the NFRW Fall Board meeting being held at same time. However I did make other activities during the day and evening. The excitement is beginning to build as we head into day two of the convention.
The highlight of my day was meeting Senator McCain's two sons: Jack and Jimmy at Lindsey Graham's Cookies and Milk event. Both sons do their father and mother proud. Both are clean cut well spoken young men who are serving their country. I would vote for John McCain just for rearing two such fine young gentlemen. They are a real credit to their parents as I am sure are McCain's other five children.
My highlight at breakfast this morning was sitting beside Roxanne Wilson and Ed Rumsey. A special guest for this morning's meal was His Excellency George Washington (actually a Mr. Collins enacting the First President) He was really quite good. He gave the opening prayer, one actually prayed by George Washington. I hope some of the groups in South Carolina will get together and invite the General to our state.
I watched the protesters on the news. LaDonna Ryggs had her picture taken on the floor with Karl Rove. We hope to have pictures posted on the SCFRW website.
Many delegates, alternates, and guests were atwitter about the news of Sara Palin's daughter. The consensus seems to be that such an event as a new grandchild does not hurt the McCain-Palin event. And as Obama himself has said, families should not be fair game. So I guess it's back to who has more/less experience: our VP candidate or the Democrats Presidential candidate.
Sitting behind Charm altman and beside Mark Hammond right under the SC sign. SC has great seats all of us.
Whit Ayres (a major GOP pollster out of Atlanta) is with us. He spoke at our breakfast.
This could get interesting watching helicopters out my hotel window - security is very tight.
They are barricading the hotel off. Police are starting to monitor traffic and blocking street around hotel. No cabs allowed or other non-convention vehicles allowed. You should be here man. They are expecting by local news 50000 protesters.
This is the hotel to be at. We have Lieberman. Steele. Graham. Bauer. Eckstrom. Hammond. McMaster. Cindy McCain on the way Joe Wilson. Gov Roemer. Rudy on the way. Sen Coates. Sec Gutierrez a lot of SC elected officials as guest and New Hampshire officials.
Minneapolis has gone all out to welcome the National Republican Convention to the Twin Cities. There are volunteers at the airport to welcome and offer assistance to delegates flying in.
Last night, the South Carolina delegation had a group picture made. Then we attended Civicfest(a great reception was provided). Civicfest is open for the entire convention with exhibits about the Presidency and vendors selling every thing from buttons to shirts to hats to books.
Speaker Harrell hosted an reception for the SC folks. It's been a wonderful first day.
Of course, Gustav has caused concern and dismay here in Minneapolis. Tonight's convention events have been cancelled. Everyone here is praying for those folks who have fled Gustav's onslaught. Unlike Don Fowler, we do not believe God is against Republicans.
While the Blogland is attempting to keep y'all informed about the big GOP convention via several delegates, we're not the only convo-watchers from the Palmetto State. In fact, there are a couple of friends of the Blogland who are also posting reports:
The Waterboy (Rep. Alan Clemmons): http://www.alanclemmons.com/
Josh Gross: columbiaconservative.blogspot.com
We'd also like to say hello to the many folks who are checking in from up there and encourage them to contact us via email at earl@earlcapps.org to give us convention updates to share with our readers.
This is a joint event with SC and Indiana the At&t and BMW event place is full. They are raising money for hurricane relief.
Talked to Lindsey Graham also Rob Godfrey of the SCGOP.
Was up at 2 AM to catch the flight out of Charleston at 530 AM was at airport at 4 AM. Flying first class was nice. Flew with a US Senator from NC - Burr. Also a Female Congresswoman from NC believe her last name was Ford just not sure man it was too early and they are not from SC.
Everybody is talking Hurricane. We have had Obama people with tee shirts in our lobby I was told by Joshua and last night I understand several people arrested I hear Joshua has already blog that.
Bush and Cheney will not make convention due to hurricanes.
Just met the new SC Rep, Ms. Nanny and her husband.
