The place to find the real buzz and action is the convention floor. It's a spin cycle of activity. There are network news reporters roaming to score the latest interview. Delegation-appointed cheerleaders give out signs and tell us what to chant.
All this excitement comes if you have the magic pass: a "delegate" placard to hang from your lanyard. A friend of mine, who is a delegate, let me have his pass for the night, which freed me from the confines of the alternate section. They're actually great seats, but it can't touch the cool factor of being on the floor. Your status is closely monitored; I believe that a member of the Secret Service and other security eyed my badge 8,425 that evening.
I was able to use my new-found access to snake my way through the convention floor, snapping pictures with my iPhone along the way (a request to Apple: Zoom would be handy. Perhaps it's time for me to get a real camera.)
Maneuvering my way through the back of the floor, underneath the TelePrompTer screen, I was feet away from the VIP section, which included Cindy McCain, former President George Bush and Barbara Bush. Surprisingly, the Secret Service agents say I can get up against a rail and snap a quick picture, as long as I do so and then move along.
As for the speeches, you saw a side of Fred Thompson that was missing from his primary performances. He was passionate and re-introduced McCain to the nation by going into detail about his courageous yet horrific experience as a prisoner of war. Sen. Joe Lieberman's willingness to buck his party and back McCain could resonate with independents and undecided voters. He was the example of the night's theme, "Country First." Sure, slogans are what they are, but there was some actual depth and meaning behind the concept of putting one's country ahead of party and partisanship. Unlike some other slogans whose promises are empty and hollow. Gee, can't think of any, but somehow the word "change" comes to mind.
Gov. Sarah Palin's acceptance speech tonight promises to be just as compelling as Thursday night, as it will be her first opportunity to define herself against the nasty, shameless coverage and criticism thrown at her. Look for Sarah to be the barracuda she is lauded for and impress.
A few other observations:
Smart phone nation
If you don't have a smart phone, you don't belong here. Nearly everyone has one. And while the BlackBerry is in the majority, there were a surprising number of iPhones, testament to its new growing acceptance as more than just a glorified iPod. In fact, conservative radio show host Hugh Hewitt praised his during a morning delegate meeting.
The problem is the proliferation of smart phones makes dangerous the simple of task of walking on the floor or through the halls of the Xcel Center because you're just as likely to walk into people who are trying to bang out e-mails and aren't watching where they are going.
However, there is one function that many have not mastered. It's called putting your phone on silent, people. One of the delegation meetings made the banquet hall sound like a casino floor because there were so many annoying ringtones going off. It's the 21st century -- learn to work your phone.
Celebrity watch
The floor gets you close access to many celebrities of the political world. You can just be feet away from CNN's Wolf Blitzer or Hannity and Colmes of Fox News; all of whom were on hand for the convention. Newt Gingrich made a cameo. And actor Jon Voight made his way to a skybox, but not before being slowed down by an armada of cameras and autograph-seekers.
Google it
Just when you thought Google had already taken over the world, the company was on hand with a booth at the convention promoting its election-enhanced services: http://www.google.com/2008election. The site features a compilation of election news on the candidates, as well as a retooling of the popular Google Maps service to include various pieces of political data. Plus they are giving out ruler-sized, 1980s-style wrist snappers to promote it. What, they ran out of Google pet rocks?
Derek Walter of Fresno, an alternate delegate and Fresno County chairman of the John McCain 2008 campaign, teaches third graders at Reagan Elementary School and college classes for National University. He also blogs at derekwalter.com.
Heightened security around the convention... Hmmm seems logical to me. Mr. Walter seems to get it... Hmmm I hope some of the other journalists figure that out or they might do something stupid and get arrested... Alright! I'm sorry; I couldn't resist.
"Hmmm I hope some of the other journalists figure that out or they might do something stupid and get arrested."
You mean, like trying to cover the convention protests?
Like not stepping back when told while covering the convention protests.
Like getting in the way of those trying to keep the convention protests under control for the safety of all involved. I'm not changing my mind on this one guys. Enough said.
My dear fellow blogists. I have had two weeks play with you as I have been on FORCED bed rest with pneumonia. I'm back to work tomorrow though so must return to the real world. I've enjoyed, mostly, our bickering. I'll check back from time to time but unless you say something really irritating, I'm pretty much done. Aufwedersehn!
Derek, my observations from tonight. Gary Schulz
September 3, 2008
Republican National Convention, St. Paul, MN
WOW!
That’s all I heard from delegates and others, including the media, when it came to tonight’s activities, including the “speech of her life” by Vice Presidential nominee, Sarah Palin, hockey mom and Governor of Alaska. I even received a phone call from a longtime friend who was very impressed with the speech seen on television. He and his wife were only “lukewarm” towards McCain, but they say that after the speech, they are gung-ho!
Written by Michael Scully, her speech passed the “attack dog” test, was very poignant in its contrast of the differences between the Dems and John McCain, and clarified the major goals for the GOP’s potential new administration:
• Work to keep taxes low.
• Win in Iraq and Afghanistan.
• “Drill, Baby, Drill”…and develop all other means to become energy independent.
Tonight was like an all star game of Republican politics with speeches by Mitt Romney, Mike Huckabee, and Rudy Giuliani.
But, tonight belonged to Palin, born in Sandpoint, Idaho, a University of Idaho grad with a family of 5 and a union-member husband. This tough former state basketball champion point guard showed her political toughness tonight when she set her jaw and declared she wasn’t scared of the Democrats, the political elite of Washington, DC, nor the mainstream liberal media because she goes to Washington to “do the business of the people of this great country.” Sounds like us conservatives may have found our new Ronald Reagan!
I stood most of the evening near the press area where I was able to shake hands with:
• Dr. Henry Kissinger, former Secretary of State for President Richard Nixon
• Mitt Romney, former Governor of Massachusetts
• Newt Gingrich, former Speaker of the House and author of the 1994 Contract with America
• Jeff Greenfield, commentator for ABC News
• Andrea Mitchell, commentator for NBC News
• Frank Luntz, pollster for Fox News
• Sarah Simmons, top member of the McCain Campaign and former associate of mine in Victory ’06 in California.
So, tomorrow, we hear from our presidential nominee. He’ll have to work hard to beat Sarah Palin and her speech!
Gary Schulz, Delegate
CA-21
559-741-6025
Gary
Thank you for putting to rest (no pun intended) a burning question Ms. Lawson was recently wondering about...in public.
I for one am happy to hear that Mr. Kissinger, American statesman and fellow human being, is alive and active on this side of the River Styx.
Dear Kim Tanksley'
Auf Wiedersehen! And speedy total recovery! And if I am fortunate, I shall
discover what really irritates you so we can cyber-visit again.
I am glad to hear that Mr. Henry Kissinger is well, up and about.
Henry Kissinger, American statesman. But before that, the incongruity of a German Jew with Nazi-like leanings, who admired Count Klemens Wenzel Metternich whom no freedom loving Austrian cares to think about. But in the end he had to yield to the forces of freedom and he fled to England circa 1851.
But I am not here to post to European history, which is for me to know, and some to study to keep from attacking and to wind up looking foolish.
Shaking hands with Henry Kissinger would have been very special.