RNC - Day Three

Tuesday was an exciting day at the Convention. The RNC is trying to get back on track and after a program cut short on Monday, due to Hurricane Gustav in the Gulf Coast region. We knew early in the day that the evening would a be long one.

I love being in St. Paul. It's a beautiful city with pieces of old architecture, like St. Paul's Cathedral to the glass and steel buildings stretching into the northern sky in the city. The Mississippi River runs through the city and at one point through St. Paul flows east-west. The city is beautiful, green and breathtaking.

I spent the afternoon at the Minnesota History Center attending an event by The White House Project. They hosted a screening of "14 Women" a documentary following the 14 female U.S. Senators in 2006. As a Senate hopeful myself, it was inspiring to hear the stories of these women who were able to balance the different facets of their lives and campaign actively and win a seat in Congress.

After an emergency stop to Starbucks, I headed over to the Xcel Center ready to hear from Fred Thompson, President Bush and Joe Lieberman. The theme for the evening was getting to know who John McCain is. Former Tennessee Senator Fred Thompson addressed the convention supporting John McCain (despite Thompson's failed presidential run) and criticized Barack Obama, saying "The Senate has always had more than its share of smooth talkers. And big talkers. And obviously, it still has."

One of the most touching stories of the evening came from longtime friend of the McCain family, Wes Gullet, of Phoenix, AZ. When Cindy McCain was visiting Bangladesh, working in one of Mother Teresa's orphanages, she brought back to the states two baby girls who had little chance of survival. Cindy McCain knew that Wes and his wife were trying to start a family and brought a daughter to them. She also brought home a new daughter for the McCain family -- without discussing it with her husband and family.

I was adopted from a Sisters of Charity orphanage in India in 1979. My parents, like the McCains gave me a second chance at life. I firmly believe that had I not been adopted, my chances of survival would have been incredibly slim. There are still children overseas and in this country who need homes and loving parents. Also speaking to the convention last night were President George W. Bush (via satellite) and Senator Joe Lieberman (I-CT). President Bush reiterated his support for McCain.

Senator Lieberman, an Independent who caucuses with the Democrats told the crowd he knew that a lot of people were probably wondering what he was doing at the convention. He said, "What you can expect from John McCain as President is precisely what he has done this week: which is to put country first. That is the code by which he has lived his entire life, and that is the code he will carry with him into the White House. I have personally seen John over and over again bring people together from both parties to tackle our toughest problems we face."

Also in attendance: Former President George H.W. Bush, First Lady Barbara Bush, Cindy McCain, Bridget McCain, Meghan McCain and 12 of the POWs who were with John McCain at the Hanoi Hilton.

Tonight we're looking forward to Rudy Giuliani, Mike Huckabee and Mitt Romney addressing the convention. Even more exciting, it is Alaska Governor Sarah Palin's night. I'm excited to hear her acceptance speech and believe that it will answer many of the questions voters have about her.