RNC - Wednesday

Wednesday's session at the Xcel Center was electric. Everyone knew the big issue for the evening was going to be Sarah Palin's speech. Every reporter who stopped any member of our delegation asked about what tonight's speech meant for Sarah Palin and Republicans. Everyone agreed, this was the biggest speech of her career so far.

My day started earlier than I would have liked, breakfast was at 7:30 a.m. instead of 9 a.m., and considering how late I was up the evening before, it was certainly earlier than I would have liked. we had a special guest for breakfast who had to work the morning talk show circuit so we had to get up early. Our special guest was Karl Rove, former Chief of Staff to President George W. Bush. He has close ties to Colorado, he lived here as a kid and still has extended family here.

When I got to the Xcel Center, I wandered the halls a bit looking for famous people. I didn't see many, especially not any that I could get close to. There are Secret Service agents everywhere! But I did see Wes Gullett, the gentleman from Arizona whose daughter came from one of Mother Teresa's orphanages in Bangladesh. I walked up to him and introduced myself. I told him the most abbreviated version of my journey to America and we shook hands. He left me with the words, "I'm so glad you're here. I know your parents are, too. There are no words to express the feeling when your child, who has traveled across the world is placed in your arms." Wow.

The evening began with remarks from Michael Steele, Mitt Romney, Mike Huckabee and Rudy Giuliani. It was interesting to see Romney, Huckabee and Giuliani all stumping for McCain. When I think back to the primary season, I remember a completely different exchange.

There are no words to describe the feeling and sound of the Xcel Center when Gov. Palin stepped onto the stage. The hall absolutely exploded when she walked out onto the stage. I know there were people in the audience who were anxious to learn about her family and what she plans to do as Vice President. The most touching part of her remarks was when she introduced her family, talked about the challenges that every family has and promised to be a champion for children with special needs if she and John McCain are elected to office.


After her speech, she received a standing ovation and her family joined her onstage. John McCain also made a surprise visit to the convention to the excitement of everyone in the hall.

After the speeches and the excitement died down, the Roll Call process began for the nomination of the GOP's pick for president. I've watched almost every convention that I can remember (both parties) and I love watching the Roll Call. My favorite part is when the person who gets to address the chairman/chairwoman and give the convention their vote count, the spokesperson for the state almost ALWAYS goes into a 2 minute diatribe about why their state has the greatest "fill in the blank".

Tonight, we celebrated Colorado's purple mountain majesties and Massachusetts' Boston Red Sox (yuck). Anyone who watched roll call tonight probably noticed about halfway through the roll, states began passing on voting. I learned that this is because as a courtesy to John McCain's home state, other states will pass on first vote, so that when the convention starts the roll call over again, Arizona will be the state to put his vote count over the limit.

Tonight, we will hear from our nominee, John McCain as he accepts the party's nomination. I've been PROMISED that a delegate or two will switch places with me tonight so I can spend some time on the floor...and I can bring you better pictures!