Low Key, but Busy Day
By Jerry Coffee
Minneapolis, Sept. 1, 2008:
Well the somewhat abbreviated 2008 Republican National Convention was called to order at 2:30 p.m. today. In spite of the fact that, in deference to the Gulf Coast crisis caused by Hurricane Gustav, only official business was conducted today, the spirit of the conventioneers was undaunted.
Your Hawaii delegation was easy to spot with matching red and white aloha shirts and anthuriums twining ’round the “Hawaii” sign post marking our section. The upper perimeter of the Xcel Energy Center arena was decorated with the repeating theme, “COUNTRY FIRST” and indeed, in accordance with Sen. John McCain’s request, that was also the theme of the proceedings; today we took off our “Republican” hats and put on our “America” hats. The four Governors of the effected Gulf states sent video messages of greetings and thanks for our concern and prayers for their safety.
As a “surrogate” speaker in support of Sen. McCain I spoke to the 300+ California delegation during their breakfast session. I followed the remarks of former Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael Steele and past California Gov. Gray Davis. Then a hectic drive from the delegation’s hotel 20 miles south of Minneapolis all the way to St. Paul (the Twin Cities) to speak to the Nevada/Guam delegations at their luncheon. But the security around the Xcel Center in St Paul was so strict with barricades and anti-demonstrator police squads and ranks of motley (you had to see them) demonstrators themselves I had to probe several different routes to finally get to the delegation’s hotel. I arrived with only 20 minutes to spare and was surprised that Gov. Linda Lingle was also speaking to them. It was a very busy day considering the convention itself was low key.
“Low key,” that is, until the last half hour when our first lady, Laura Bush, made a surprise entrance for some gracious remarks and then a surprise introduction of Cindy McCain our “aspiring” First Lady. The two of them encouraged our commitment to our fellow Americans in need on the gulf coast, describing several vehicles to donate, all set up by the GOP.
Since the next three days will be “played by ear,” depending on Gustav’s toll, we won’t know tomorrow’s schedule until our delegation meeting Tuesday morning.
“Country First”
Aloha!
Jerry Coffee
