Next week I will be blogging from the Republican National Convention. Thanks to Blogs for John McCain’s Victory, and the RNC I’ve been granted a press pass to cover the event. As I joked with one person, I’ll need go find myself glittery flag apparel, and a straw hat covered with McCain stickers so that I can appear appropriate. None-the-less, it’s very exciting to cover this event, and I plan to post frequently at Blogs for John McCain’s Victory, Purple People Vote, Blogs4McCain and NH4McCain.
Also, I’d like to ask readers for their input. Is there any part of the convention that you would like to see? Do you have any questions you would like asked? I’ll do my best to provide a view of the convention not normally seen in the main stream media, and hope I can provide answers to readers questions. Hope you’ll check in frequently, and thank you for visiting/reading.
-Katherine Morrison
The program of events is as follows:
Monday, Sept. 1
Service
“Love of country, my friends, is another way of saying love of your fellow countryman.”
-Sen. John McCain
John McCain’s commitment to his fellow Americans, a commitment forged in service to his country, is one of the defining hallmarks of his life. Monday’s events will highlight John McCain’s record of service and sacrifice and reflect his commitment to serving a cause greater than one’s own self-interest.
Speakers will include:
* U.S. Sen. Joseph Lieberman (Conn.)
* Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (Calif.)
* Vice President Richard B. Cheney
* First Lady Laura Bush
* President George W. Bush
Tuesday, Sept. 2
Reform
“If you find faults with our country, make it a better one. If you are disappointed with the mistakes of government, join its ranks and correct them.”
-Sen. John McCain
John McCain’s life is a testament to the fundamental truth that every American can be a force for change. A restless reformer who has dedicated his career to taking on special interests and the status quo, John McCain will deliver the right kind of change and reform to meet the great challenges of our time. On Tuesday, the convention program will underscore his vision of a government that is transparent, principled and worthy of the American people it serves.
Speakers will include:
* Former New York City Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani
* Former Gov. Mike Huckabee (Ark.)
* Former Gov. Tom Ridge (Pa.)
* Gov. Sarah Palin (Alaska)
* Gov. Jon Huntsman (Utah)
* Rosario Marin, California Secretary of the State and Consumer Services Agency and former Treasurer of the United States
* Former U.S. Sen. Fred Thompson (Tenn.)
* Gov. Linda Lingle (Hawaii)
* Former Lt. Gov. Michael Steele (Md.)
Wednesday, Sept. 3
Prosperity
“America’s best days are still to come.”
-Sen. John McCain
The American story is one of perseverance. Even in the face of tough times, the ingenuity and spirit of the American people has ushered in a new era of prosperity. Wednesday’s program will focus on John McCain’s plans to get our economy back on track and continue our long tradition of meeting the challenges we face and using our prosperity to help others. The day will conclude with an address by the vice presidential nominee.
Speakers will include:
* U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman (Minn.)
* Meg Whitman, National Co-Chair for McCain 2008 and former President and CEO of eBay
* Carly Fiorina, Victory ‘08 Chairman for the Republican National Committee and former Chairman and CEO of Hewlett-Packard Co.
* Former Gov. Mitt Romney (Mass.)
* Mrs. Cindy McCain
* Gov. Bobby Jindal (La.)
* Republican Party’s Vice Presidential Nominee
Thursday, Sept. 4
Peace
“Our next president will have a mandate to build an enduring global peace on the foundations of freedom, security, opportunity, prosperity, and hope.”
-Sen. John McCain
John McCain understands the challenges that America faces in the world and the sacrifice necessary to defend our freedom in a way that few others can fathom. Thursday’s events will reflect his vision of an America in pursuit of peace and seen as a beacon of goodwill and hope throughout the world. The evening will close with John McCain accepting the Republican Party’s nomination for the Presidency of the United States.
Speakers will include:
* Gov. Tim Pawlenty (Minn.)
* Gov. Charlie Crist (Fla.)
* U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback (Kan.)
* U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez (Fla.)
* John McCain
In the coming days, the 2008 Republican National Convention will announce additional speakers and program details.
About the Republican National Convention
The 2008 Republican National Convention will be held at Saint Paul’s Xcel Energy Center from Sept. 1-4, 2008. Approximately 45,000 delegates, alternate delegates, volunteers, members of the media and other guests are expected to attend the convention. Minneapolis-Saint Paul is expected to receive an estimated $150-$160 million positive economic boost from the four-day event. For more information about the 2008 Republican National Convention, please visit our website at www.GOPConvention2008.com and join our social network sites on Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, YouTube and LinkedIn.
“Country First”: Convention to Focus on Service, Reform, Prosperity and Peace
This week, we announced the program themes and lineup of speakers for the 2008 Republican National Convention. The convention’s overall theme, “Country First,” reflects John McCain’s remarkable record of leadership and service to America. Each day of proceedings will center on a touchstone theme that has defined John McCain’s life and will be central to his vision for leading our nation forward as president. The themes for the four days will be service, reform, prosperity and peace.
The theme for Monday’s events will be “service,” and the speakers will include U.S. Sen. Joseph Lieberman (Conn.), Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (Calif.), Vice President Richard B. Cheney, First Lady Laura Bush and President George W. Bush.
“Reform” will be the theme for Tuesday’s program. Speakers addressing the convention will include former New York City Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani, former Gov. Mike Huckabee (Ark.), former Gov. Tom Ridge (Pa.) and former U.S. Senator Fred Thompson (Tenn.).
On Wednesday, some of the speakers addressing the theme of “prosperity” will be U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman (Minn.), former CEO of eBay Meg Whitman, former Chairman and CEO of Hewlett-Packard Carly Fiorina and former Gov. Mitt Romney (Mass.). Mrs. Cindy McCain and the Republican Party’s vice presidential nominee will also address the convention hall.
On Thursday, the theme for the day’s events will be “peace.” Gov. Tim Pawlenty (Minn.), Gov. Charlie Crist (Fla.), U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback (Kan.) and U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez (Fla.) will address the convention. The evening will close with U.S. Sen. John McCain’s acceptance speech.
Read the 2008 Republican National Convention’s press release to learn more about the convention themes and the lineup of speakers.
Looks like I’ll have to leave my fireworks at home.
2008 Republican National Convention
List of Prohibited Items for Members of the Media
There are certain items that will not be permitted within the established security perimeter near the Xcel Energy Center, Saint Paul River Centre and Roy Wilkins Auditorium. Below is a partial list of items that will not be permitted inside the security perimeter. Please keep in mind that this list is NOT all inclusive and should only be used as a guide.
As a condition of entry, the following (And any other items deemed inadmissible for safety and security reasons) will not be allowed inside the secured area:
· Weapons, knives (Regardless of size)
· Fireworks, explosives
· Umbrellas
· Strollers
· Poles and sticks
· Laser lights and pointers
· Coolers
· Tasers, stun guns, or similar devices
· Containers of any type- bottles/cans/spray canisters
· Aerosols- including lens and keyboard cleaners
· Mace/Pepper spray, or similar products
· Noise makers/horns
· Banners/Signs/Placards
· Sharp and other pointed objects (i.e. scissors/knitting needles)
· Leatherman of similar tools
Please share the above list of inadmissible items with your fellow media members to avoid delays and inconvenience when entering the Xcel Energy Center, River Centre and Roy Wilkins Auditorium complex. By working together we can help create an environment that is safe and secure, while ensuring a productive and enjoyable experience for everyone.
I am interested in what Gov. Schwarzenegger has to say as well as your take on it.
I used to be a regular weightlifter. I date back to the Schwarzenegger dominace of the related sport of bodybuilding and always liked him in spite of the steroid use. I was delighted to find out that he embraced the conservative view but am disappointed with his lack of spine with California liberals of late. Is their dominance of politics out there so firm that conservative just can’t have a decent effect?
Considering what they’ve managed to do to Bush, even when they didn’t own Congress, I am beginning to wonder about just how they manage to be so intimidating.
Tuesday’s theme of “reform” piques my curiousity. The republican party got too comfortable with power in Washington D.C. and fell into its traps. Compromise on principles and corruption became a blight on the party and it didn’t heed the warings when the democrats managed to sieze power of the Senate early on in Bush’s presidency through hook and crook and place major stumbling blocks in the way of the new president with his national mandate. The result, Bush didn’t have the players he needed in place in his administration to get the job done on many fronts. And control of Congress finally returned to the democrats, who slipped back into their comfortable corruption and do nothing ways like an old drunk.
So just what is the reform McCain is envisioning? While Ridge, Huckabee, Thomson, and Palin are encouraging signs, the presence of Giuliani sends a mixed message I am wondering about. Are they getting back to basics and emphasizing integrity, or dialing back the democratic-light neo-conservatism, or what? I am curious.
By the way, Palin is a brilliant gamble as the VP pick. I’ll get back to that on the Palin thread.
McCain made me a bit uncomfortable though I like the man personally. He hasn’t been much more specific than “the One” as too his plan so far and now is the time to lay the cards on the table. Since he limited himself to public funds for the general election the RNC is his best time to make his case. Obama didn’t, but he’ll have the money and the free media support to afford that option. McCain doesn’t. So its time to put up or shut up for him.
By the way. what’s that business about man made global warming being included in the party platform? The Republicans aren’t that idiotic are they? I’d very VERY interested as to why that bone headed act occured. Can you find out more on that one while you’re there?
I am looking forward to your take on the convention.