Lipstick!

Last night we enjoyed the hospitality of the National Republican Congressional Committee in a great suite at the Xcel Center. The downside was that we couldn't really see the stage. No matter though, the excitement in the hall was electric and the people watching was fantastic (Did you see those elephant hats? Amy knows her kids will be upset if she returns empty handed.)

The evening started with several speeches from lesser known leaders in the Republican party but the event really picked up intensity with the arrival of former Maryland Lt. Governor and Senatorial Candidate Michael Steele. He riled up the crowd with his signature charisma and brought down the house regarding energy policy when he paused and delivered, "Drill Baby Drill!".
The crowd ate it up and returned to that chant several times for following speakers.

And what speakers they were, a virtual who's who of the leading Republican candidates with the noted exception of one Ron Paul. Romney, Huckabee, and Rudy Jiuliani reved up the crowd for the highlight of the night--Governor Sarah Palin.

Everyone was wondering how she would do on the national stage, but she could not have had a more supportive and welcoming audience. She took the stage and seemed to be at home in front of the bright lights. I thought she started slowly but clearly began to find her rhythem as the speech continued. She held very little back in her remarks toward her opponents. Regardless of your politics, her delivery and cutting wit played well with the audience both in the Xcel Center and across the nation. You may not have liked her words, her politics or her point but she certainly delivered each well.

Now, as an aside, and as a person with a Master's degree in social work, I did not really appreciate the digs at community organizing, but they did help minimize crticism towards Governor Palin's experience. With that said I still think they laid it on a little thick and played on the fact that most people don't really know what community organizing is and how effective it can be in improving the circumstances of individuals and communities.

Penny, Amy, and I were able to meet with Congressman Tom Cole (R-OK) and to share some time with occupational therapist Sharon Sanderson, who is an alternate delegate from the state of Oklahoma. Sharon got a chance to talk to her Congressman and spend time with us before returning to her delegation duties.

This morning I spent more time with Congressman Cole at the NRCC breakfast and Penny, Amy and I are soon to be heading off to an event at the Hard Rock Cafe titled, "From Hollywood to the Hill" that is sponsored by the Creative Coalition and should be a star studded event. Afterwards we plan to prepare for another long night at the Xcel Center. It is rumored that there will be twice as many people at the convention center as there are seats, so we are glad that our seats are confirmed. We plan to get there early and take in the excitement and atmosphere as Senator John McCain takes the stage to claim his nomination.

I think McCain has a hard act to follow given his running mate's performance last night, but I expect he'll be up for the challenge; he always seems to be. As a noted "Hockey Mom," as was mine, Gov. Palin had the best line of the night when she answered her own question about the difference beween a hockey mom and a pit bull being simply "Lipstick!" She was certainly a political attack dog last night and neither Obama nor Biden got away without a few painful nips.

Tonight is the last hurrah from Minneapolis and if the last few days hold true, it should be entertaining if nothing else. --- Tim