Joel Strom, RNC Delegate Daily Reports

From Joel Strom, RNC delegate, via Richard.

Too much happened tonight to go through a chronological recap. I am just overcome with joy, tears, respect and hope, yes hope. And while hope in and of itself never cuts it, I think this hope is backed up with a rational belief that our guy and gal trumps the other guys. Contrast the speakers, the players, the family members with the DNC. How many longtime friends came up to speak about Obama, about his integrity, his humble leadership, or his accomplishments? Maybe can count on one hand. But enough about Obama.

So what was the mission of this convention? In my view, it was fourfold:

introduce this intriguing VP selection, Sarah Palin
call into question the readiness and philosophy of the other guy
make sure the American public, especially the independent and undecided voters, know the man, John McCain, his lifetime of public service, transformative years in a POW camp, his soul
unite the Party and energize it for the two-month campaign

Who can question the success of his selection and introduction of the next Vice-President of the United States? Covered a bit last night, but with 24-hour hindsight, even my unfettered enthusiasm was not adequate to describe the true boost Governor Palin gives to this ticket. Not only did we see a $10,000,000 boost in campaign online fundraising, but the smiles on the faces of all delegates along with the concerned looks of talking heads across the spectrum said it all. What a star.

Starting last night and continuing tonight, albeit with a little less red meat, speaker after speaker asked “where’s the beef” when it comes to Barack Obama. Great speaker, great promises, but no way, no how, can he deliver. And G-d help us if he could…higher taxes, more regulation, government run health care, unilateral reduction in military readiness, appeasement, you name it. From Rudy to Romney, from Thompson to Huckabee and to a red hot Graham tonight, Barack Obama was grilled in absentia. Now, the Dems will immediately yell “divisiveness”, “more of the same”, “swift boating”. But their expected charges will only show their nervousness, their inability to counteract the charges with facts. So, check off the second bullet.

Tonight, the riveting nature of Senator McCain’s own words about his capture, his internment, torture and transformation, were the difference from a B+ convention to the A it now earns. Speaker after speaker tonight, including Cindy’s wonderful words to us, plus the brilliantly packaged life history pieces, referred to McCain’s life and change related to his POW years, but face it, very few have heard McCain in his own words, hesitant at times to reveal the pain. What struck me as the most potentially helpful in peeling off undecided voters was McCain’s willingness to reveal his narcissistic years and his eventual transformation which occurred only after being nursed back to life by fellow soldiers whom he barely knew. Truly heart stopping, something no open-minded American could have listened to without tears, without feeling that this guy has faced death, faced hurdles very few men have cleared. Surely, he can lead this country to better times. So much for the third bullet.

You did not have to be on the floor tonight to feel the love, the energy, the pre-game pep rally spirit. Even the CNN team had to give the RNC planning team its just desserts. Had someone told me a few months ago that the Republicans would be more united than the Dems on Sept 5th, I would have called up the funny farm to pick him up. But lo and behold, here we are on September 5th and with the Hillary/Obama split (despite their attempts to conceal or convince otherwise) and the Palin pick, it is certainly reasonable to pick the Republicans as the unified Party, not the Dems. And that is always a good sign for victory. McCain’s speech, while not filled with the red meat of others, not a sweeping panorama of an Obama speech, and not filled with attractive yet impossible promises, was more than serviceable. It was unifying and revealing. It was what he needed to do. A bit light on specifics in my opinion (I would have preferred a bit more on contrasting policy philosophies), but there is always time to do that post convention. So, you could say, fourth bullet accomplished.

In sum, most people who know me expect me to offer up a tough critique of most RNC actions. But this time, I’ve got to give the organizers their kudos. From the last minute changes due to Gustav, the somewhat unexpected pick of Palin, the sometimes inclement weather, the rather violent anarchist protestors, and the tough tasks outlined above, nothing negative from me. The RNC team accomplished their goals in extremely difficult Republican political times and with high hurdles to clear. Job well done. Or should we say….MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!

Rainy night in St Paul

Tuesday……rain, CA delegation meeting…. RJC event…..convention

Hello again from the rainy Midwest.  The natives are quite friendly but the alien invaders seem a bit restless today.  The distances between events is perilously long for anyone trying to stick to a schedule.  Nice concept to hold convention events in twin cities, but in reality, a day cannot go by without either an expensive cab ride or a lengthy shuttle bus journey.  The Target Center is quite distant from the two California hotels, the Sofitel and Sheraton, but even the distance is not dampening the growing energy that marks this day.

On the persistent media asking questions about Sarah Palin’s daughter mar the seemingly energized early morning.  In the bar, in the hallways, in the elevators, waiting for the buses.   They are like gophers (pardon the Minnesota pun) that pop up everywhere.  Persistent little buggers.

First thing this morning, some folks took a leisurely five mile run around one of the many local small lakes.  The heavy rain that began during the run was refreshing.  California’s delegation, the largest at the Convention, had a wonderful brunch at the Lafayette Club while listening to featured speakers, Frank Luntz and Hugh Hewitt.

Oh, and did I mention the gophers, sorry, reporters, asking about Sarah Palin’s daughter?  Still asking.  Waiting with impatience for that one delegate who will say something terribly embarrassing.  Still waiting as of noon.

The convention opens with the most resounding renditions of the Star Spangled Banner I have heard in recent years and it brought the crowd to a roar.  You could feel the energy in the room, anticipating the evening speakers, especially former Democrat nominee, Joe Lieberman.  Word was the President will be introduced by Laura Bush and that’s exactly what happened.  Laura ticked off a few of the accomplishments of her husband, most of which have either been long forgotten or never remembered.  After a brief address by George W., a tribute to Ronald Reagan brought some tears, but also pride as up stepped former Presidential candidate Fred Thompson.

He spoke highly of both Palin and McCain. The crowd clearly, not seemingly too upset by the media gophers mentioned above rose to their feet in support of Governor Palin.  Thompson did a great job of introducing the John McCain that the media seems to have forgotten, or maybe just never remembered.   Tears of pride drenched the convention and it was the supreme hope that enough Americans listened to, or witnessed the televised speech so that they would understand the difference between speaking of honor and judgment and living honor and dignity.  Time and time again, Thompson cited McCain’s ability and willingness to buck the system, even his own political mentor, Party icon, Ronald Reagan.  Quite simply, this was one of the most effective, rousing intro/support speeches I have ever heard.

Believe it or not, there was a break in the Sarah Palin’s daughter questions during the speech.

Next up, former Dem VP Joe Lieberman.  Must be one of the only times a former Dem ticket member addressed a Rep convention.  A more than warm welcome to a man who has the same backbone of his good friend, Senator McCain.  Asking the question, “what in the world is a Democrat like me doing at a Republican gathering like this”?  He followed that question with a strong message to Independents and Dems – Obama is clearly not ready to lead our country, nor does he have the ability to bring us together even though he talks incessantly of change and unity.  Now, I would guess most of the delegates would not want Lieberman on the ticket, they clearly have taken a liking to this man.

At the end of the evening, a new energy filled air and dare I say a new hope beat in the hearts of the delegates.  Seeing no protestors this time, everyone departed the Center somehow a bit lighter, far more optimistic and ready for the next two nights.

God knows this spirit will not be reported.  And sure as shootin’ there will be some reporter back at the hotel ready to ask us about Sarah Palin’s daughter…….

Goodnight from Minnesota