Getting Ready
By Jerry Coffee
Sunday night, Aug. 31
The pre-convention week here in Minneapolis included various committee responsibilities for some of Hawaii’s delegates; Adrienne King served on the Platform Committee, Travis Thompson of Maui and Susan Page contributed to the final draft of the Rules Committee, and Barbara Marumoto and myself arbitrated issues on the Credentials Committee. All the final committee proposals will be introduced for ratification during the first session of the convention Monday.
In accordance with election law, this business must be conducted early in the convention so that all legal requirements for the final nomination of Sen. John McCain on Thursday for the Presidency of the United States will have been fulfilled.
Unfortunately, the threat of Hurricane Gustav in the Gulf of Mexico and the potential havoc which may be wrought upon the people of the Gulf Coast has resulted in shifting priorities. In spite of elaborate convention plans for business as usual, Sen. McCain has recommended that only necessary business be transacted and that scheduled speakers and entertainment be canceled.
He is particularly sensitive to the impropriety of politics as usual and to instead “open our hearts, our sympathy and and our wallets for the people threatened by this monstrous storm. It’s time for us to take off our ‘political hats’ and put on our ‘American hats’ to show America’s unanimous support for our fellow Americans threatened by Gustav.
The impending storm did not, however, dampen the spirits — for now — of the McCain “Friends and Family” event Sunday evening gathering a dozen or more of Sen. McCain’s ‘ol jailbird friends from his POW days; all gathered to support his nomination this week. Since the senator and his running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, were on the Gulf Coast to encourage residents there, the senator’s 96-year-old mother,Roberta, was the guest of honor. Her lively reparte throughout the evening exemplifies the “Energizer Bunny” genes which keep the senator going with youthful energy and enthusiasm.
More after the first Convention session.
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Jerry Coffee reporting from the Twin Cities.
