Alone At The RNC

Someone named Gustav came knocking on the door, stuck his head in, looked around and then left. Since everyone felt the need to try and answer the door, Republicans were left with a short and dry first day of convention activities. Though it was promised to be a slow (and short) day, we did benefit from being able to explore the layout and get to know our way around.

For those who have never attended something like this, here is a brief rundown of what we experienced:

Though I salivate at the idea of writing about what went on outside of the convention, I'll leave it to the crack team designated to report on the activities of the future criminals, homeless and university professors of America acting like animals in the streets of Saint Paul.

After parking in a ramp, we walked three blocks to the arena which consists of the main Xcel Energy Center where sat the state delegates and showcased the speakers, as well as the smaller Roy Wilkins Auditorium, which provided the temporary homes for various media outlets, including NBC. We entered into the Roy Wilkins entrance, where I was the last to pass through a rather efficient security checkpoint and I entered the doors to thunderous applause. Well, okay the applause was for Mitt Romney, who had walked in just before me...at least that's what I'll let Mitt think.

While waiting for Calvin to pay homage to a sandwich from a vendor near the entrance, we were approached by a gentleman who was affiliated somehow with a local radio station, who proceeded to point a recording device at us and ask several questions about our trip and our politics. Adam watched, Calvin ate and I answered what I thought were going to be two or three questions but which turned into what seemed like 20 questions. Frankly, I'm not sure what he planned to do with this interview, but I'm sure it will be wonderful.

We took a tour of the Wilkins section and then stopped to regroup at the NBC housing, where we strategized a bit and then decided to find our way to the main floor. After a little zigging and zagging, we managed to find some seats and settled in just in time to catch the last 45 seconds of Laura Bush and Cyndi McCain speaking jointly about Mister Gustav, who was currently being greeted by both of their husbands.

Then, in one of the great timing moments in convention history, the event ended and after a grueling two or three minutes of sitting through the speeches, we were able to get up and roam around, mingling with the delegates and stalking Ms. Texas, though not in a creepy way...I'm sure.

By this time the floor was clearing out, TV reporters were standing off to the sides doing their segments, cameras (from phones to professionals) were everywhere and Ms. Texas was still being hounded for photos and interviews. I managed to snap a lousy photo of the sashed cutie, which you can find among Adam Hobson's coverage.

Exiting the floor, we passed by actor Robert Davi (Die Hard, The Goonies, A License To Kill, An American Carol). Apparently Jon Voight (also of An American Carol, as well as Deliverance, Midnight Cowboy, Mission Impossible) was there as well, though we didn't encounter him.

Calvin and Adam departed at this point and I explored Radio Row, a who's who of talk radio networks all broadcasting from a large corridor outside the main arena. After walking the row, I exited the arena and noted the fatigues and military vehicles circling the Xcel Center.

Being the only, what I guess you could call, mainstream Republican in the group, I returned Tuesday night by myself while the others attended the Ron Paul shindig in Minneapolis. I took advantage of my solitude by staking out a rather nice seat just over the delegates where I could have a full view of the speeches, which included Laura and George W. Bush (the president beamed in via satellite), Joe Lieberman and Fred Thompson, who was definitely the punch-packer of the evening, giving a moving account of the personal story of John McCain and sharply contrasting it with the campaign of Barack Obama.

In the next section over, just a handful of rows in front of me, I realized was 'the box' where some of the convention dignitaries were seated, including Cindy McCain, members of the McCain family and former president George H. W. Bush and Barbara. The elder Bush received a powerful standing ovation from the crowd and we were treated to a video tribute to his military and public service. Fred Thompson also made his way over following his presentation.

Tuesday was very much a different event than the previous day and there was a certain charge in the air that was lacking during Monday's preliminaries. The biggest bursts of applause seemed to come whenever Governor (and VP choice) Sarah Palin's name was mentioned. I expect that by Thursday, John McCain and Governor Palin are going to have their hands full with an energized and feisty crowd of people ready to start a new Republican era in the White House...and I'll be glad to witness history first hand.

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