Sunday night's reception at the Minneapolis Convention Center for nationwide delegates to the Republican National Convention must have used every busline in the area! I'm talking large Greyhound-type buses that picked up delegates from hotels all over the Minneapolis and Saint Paul area to deliver them to the downtown venue. There were so many buses that they completely circled the convention center.
Reportedly, 10,000 people attended the event which took place at Civic Fest in the convention center, a huge arena that dwarfed the exhibits that included part of Air Force One, vehicles, and numerous exhibits. With dozens of tables set up for food and drink, there was more than enough for anyone and a variety that pleased every palate.
Civic Fest is an historical exhibit of the fuselage of Air Force One, a remake of the White House rose garden, a display of First Ladies' gowns, display of American flags down through the years, Franklin Roosevelt's presidential limousine, huge American flag, CNN's "Election 2008" bus, and much more. There were vendors selling McCain tee shirts and other campaign necessities as well as White House memorabilia and patriotic sourvenirs. Toby Keith's "Courtesty of the Red, White and Blue" blasted from the overhead speakers along with other patriotic tunes. At the opposite end of the hall was an open theater-type area with chairs, stage, and presentation of American history.
Fox News was live on the premises and we gathered around as if watching Hollywood stars. A live on-air interview with a delegate ended with applause from those of us watching, and Fox is definitely the news of choice at this convention. It is tuned into the Virginia delegation's rooms as well as the local Fox Channel 9, keeping us updated with stories about each day's event.
Media are everywhere ... in our hotels, at our receptions, at events, in the lobbies. Tyler Whitley from the Richmond Times-Dispatch was at the Virginia delegation reception Sunday night and telling tales on Trixie Averill (it's the black snake story; I'll relay it later).
The opening reception lasted from 6-8:00 Sunday and, afterwards, Virginians headed back to our hotel for our arcade night. I got great photos of those attending and will post them when there is time. Even Pat Boone joined us and, for those too young to know him, he was an extremely popular singer during the 1950s and 60s. Think something like a Justin Timberlake. He is unabashedly conservative, and he was hanging out with the Virginia delegation.
RPV Chairman Jeff Frederick addressed everyone, welcoming them to the convention, and then he urged everyone to remember the Gulf coast residents as Hurricane Gustav approached ... and asked for donations for what would surely be a disastrous aftermath from what the news was reporting.
Then the words of the National Anthem began ... "Oh, say can you see...." Everyone stopped to listen to a CD that was playing of Bob McDonnell's daughter singing. One lady held up her purse with an American flag on it as those in the room placed hands over their hearts and listened ... but as the music swelled, "And the rockets red glare," everyone in the room suddenly and loudly joined in to finish the song ... and when it ended, there was an eruption of applause and whoops ... it was one of those patriotic moments I often see in Republican politics.
I have got to say a word about the volunteers for all these events ... the people from Minneapolis, Saint Paul, Minnesota ... who have been cheerful and helpful and positive since we landed. Last night they all wore yellow polo shirts and lined the way from our buses to the entrance of Civic Fest, and then volunteers in navy polo shirts were all around Civic Fest. All wore smiles and wished everyone a great event. I talked with several to ask where they had come from ... they are just everyday people helping out their city and state. When the call went out for a need for volunteers, they answered.
When we got back to the room, I fell off the face of the earth. It had been a l-o-n-g day with little sleep the night before, and I was too exhausted to blog or anything else ... all I could think of was sleep.
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