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I finally have internet access and provide everyone with some convention coverage. It is REALLY cold in the Xcel Energy Center. Brrrr!

The Center is extremely crowded, everyone is revved up to hear McCain speak. I wonder how many people will be watching tonight. I’m sure he won’t get as many viewers as Sarah, but I think he’ll get quite a bit. I’ll post my comments on Palin’s speech later. But you can view the speech here.

Lindsey Graham just spoke. Did a great job!

They are showing a video on Sarah Palin at the moment. Alaska is a very pretty state! This is a great profile on Sarah. I like how the announcer said, “Sarah likes integrity, frugality, and moose stew.” Haha, I’ve never tried it!

Now Tom Ridge, the first Secretary of Homeland Security, is speaking. Ridge outlines McCain’s campaign journey from an assumed hopeless cause to an amazing nomination on the Republican ticket.

Ridge says that only McCain understand that the security and prosperity of American will only be sustained if the rest of the world is also security and prosperous as well.

Highlights McCain’s boldness, maverick quality, and his desire to put country before self.

Urges us to rise to the occasion to honor the mission and vision of our founders and “call this maverick forward.”

Crowd chanting “That’s John McCain!”

Ridge is proud to be able to call John McCain a friend. He makes a funny wave and asks God to bless everyone.

Short break before McCain comes on.

Showing Republican Party video on Cindy McCain. I think McCain looks the same when he got married, minus some wrinkles.

Cindy McCain is giving the keynote address.

Cindy has quite the achievement record.

Cindy is speaking and introduces all her children.

She urges us to help those in the Gulf Coast who have been devastated by hurricanes and tropical storms. Country first!

McCain’s mom is in the crowd. She’s a fiesty lady.

She makes a great jab at intrusive federal government. Champions individual initiative.

Reminds us that the campaign is not just about the McCains, but about America as a nation.

Recalls the origins of the Republican Party born in 1854. The GOP has been grounded in the notion of service, community, and self-reliance. Notes this is why Americans are the most generous people in history. Helping others is embedded in our “national DNA.”

A more important question to ask is “What would our forefathers think of us?” not “What do other countries think of us?”

You can definitely tell Cindy is reading off of the teleprompter…

She reminds us these are perilous times and McCain’s strength and character can lead us to better times. Makes a joke about how a woman’s involvement is essential.

Introduces Sarah Palin. Of all her adjectives, only one referred to her political ability. I don’t know if the emphasis on Palin’s hockey mom status will get old…

Recounts the military service experience in the family. Very impressive.

Side note: I think they put the most random scenary pictures in the background.

Going on about the integrity and work ethic of her father, her service experience. She brought home two girls from Bangledesh. One is her daughter, Bridget.

If America wants honesty and straight-talk, then America should take a close look at John McCain.

Major roar from the crowd.

I think she did an ok job. She isn’t that natural of a public speaker, but that was a nice tribute to her husband.

By the way, I can’t wait to put a McCain-Palin bumper sticker on my car.

I am back on the convention grounds for day three. The first picture for today? A a group of 9/11 “truthers” lacking in numbers and logic.

3:00 - 3:45 Looking for something different, I headed over to the 14th floor University Club for the Human Rights First event. It featured a number of Generals and a former Ronald Reagan official.

Overall, it was a great event with a good message about caring for all people. I don’t know if I could agree with their approach to closing down Guantanamo but, it was very informative. Here are two quick pictures:

4:00-4:30 The Premier Party for conservatives under 30. It was sponsored by the Students for Saving Social Security and NeW the Network for enlightened women. I was a bit late but fun nonetheless as I got to meet some great young conservatives. NeW is doing a great job of battling the degrading Vagina Monologues on campuses across America and S4 is a classic organization working for crucial social security reform.

6:00 - Back in the Xcel Energy center listening to the opening speakers. Sarah Kirby ( pictured with Zach from the Washington delegation) has joined me as well and will be blogging the bigger speakers.

7:35 - After a number of inspiring speeches from various small business owners, famers and great Americans from all walks of life that succeeded without government aid, we are abetting fired up for the big names.

They just showed a great video of John McCain’s actual policy proposals wow! Didn’t see that at the DNC, in fact, it was my cheif compliant.

7:55 - Micheal Steele of GOPAC just took the stage.  His message?  Leadership is most evident in tough times.
“Putting family, community, country above self”
“Leaders who demonstrate what it means to be and American.”
“In times such as these, we need John McCain”

Steele is discussing limited government and lower taxes.  The basics, yes but, it’s crucial that he hammers this home as some in GOP forget sometimes.
“Country First”!  (the first time I have
“Real choices where they get to go to school”
“DO YOU WANT TO PUT YOUR COUNTRY FIRST?”
YES!

8:01 - Let me make this very clear: “Drill baby drill’!
“Base what we do on what will keep our country safe, not what is politically correct.”

ZING: “Who you hang out with does matter. ”

“America should never be damned for creating a place that so many people want to call home.”
“The only label that really matters, is America.”

8:05 - Please welcome the Honorable Governor of Mass Mitt Romney!!
Lot’s of love and thanks from Mitt.
Mitt has a great Liberal or Conservative chant going on listing all the liberal things going on right now from Democrats stopping any drilling, preventing nuclear power and support teacher’s union.
“America is strong because of the ingenuity and hard work of the American people”
Opportunity comes from strong homes and a good business environment.
“Liberals would replace opportunity with dependence.”
This is awesome!  we need to “fight government spending like the poison it is”

8:11 - “Mortgage money was handed out like candy.”
“Stand up to the T-Rex appetite of government unions.”
Now he is on to alternative energy

ZING:”Let’s keep Al Gore’s private jet on the ground!’

That’s a great point on radical violent Jihadists,  where were the Democrats on that one last week?

“President McCain and VP Sarah Palin will keep America as it has always been, the hope of the world.”

Guiliani-
“Everyone acknowledges that John McCain is a true American Hero! “  However, he has sacrificed as few do.
“He has proved his commitment with his blood”
He is telling the story again that I still have not gotten tired of hearing although, Fred Thompson told it better
” He is a community organizer”  (Mouths What?)
130 times he couldn’t figure out wether to vote yes or no, it was too tough. He voted present!
“He nor Sarah could vote present, to be President of the United States, it not good enough to vote Present!”

Wow!  I love the resume comparison!

“Never run a state, never run a city, never run a business!”
“This is not a personal attack….it’s a statement of fact - Barack Obama has never led anything.
Nothing. Nada. ”
Crowd Chanting: “ZERO! ZERO! ZERO!”

“We agreed with Joe Biden 1 time.”

“John McCain will bring about the change that will create jobs and prosperity. He will lower taxes so our economy can grow. He will reduce government spending to strengthen our dollar. He will expand free trade so we can be even more competitive. He will lead us toward an America that will be independent of foreign oil by an all-of-the-above approach, including nuclear power and off-shore drilling. ”

Crowd Chanting: “Drill Baby Drill!  Drill Baby Drill!”

More to come later but Palin was awesome!!

Details to come shortly. Don’t worry about missing any of the action though, here is the live feed from the convention floor that will start when each speech starts:

UPDATE: Here is the schedule of events for tonight:

Service

“Love of country, my friends, is another way of saying love of your fellow countrymen.”
–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. Tuesday’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:

• President George W. Bush (via satellite)
• First Lady Laura Bush
• U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman (Conn.)
• Former U.S. Sen. Fred Thompson (Tenn.)
• U.S. House Republican Leader John Boehner (Ohio)
• U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman (Minn.)
• U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann (Minn.)
• Robert M. “Mike” Duncan, Chairman of the Republican National Committee
• Jo Ann Davidson, Co-Chairman of the Republican National Committee and Chairman of the 2008 Republican National Convention Committee on Arrangements

3:19 - I am enjoying some of the events outside of the convention. I just met up with Sean Hackbarth of The American Mind, we are heading over to the Life of the Party event shortly where Sarah Palin was confirmed as a speaker before her VP choice. I will have pictures and commentary up at the beginning of the 4pm event.

For attendees interested in whats going on, I would definitely recommend the National Journal Convention Calendar/Schedule.

3:22 - It appears Sarah Palin will no longer be attending the Life of the Party event:

The Life of the Party

Sponsored by Republican National Coalition for Life
When: Tue. 4-6 P.M.

Gov. Sarah Palin is no longer attending this reception, but the party will go on in her absence.

Contact: 800-726-8096

Crowne Plaza Hotel
11 East Kellogg Blvd.
St. Paul

6:16 - At the National Taxpayer’s Union Pitbulls and Pigs event on spending at Liffey’s by the convention center. MN Gov. Pawlenty just spoke on taxes using an analogy of handicapping horses to describe how Obama would raise taxes and spending across the board as President like he has done in the past in Illinois and the US Senate.

Sen DeMint just spoke as well describing his support for the NTU and our battle agaist increased spending.

6:34 - Time for the McCain (main) event featuring the theme Service.

7:20 - I am setup now back in the convention and we just got done with Norm Coleman’s speech about the Republican turn around of St.Paul.  He also used a Thomas Jefferson story about a man asking for a ride across a river from Jefferson because he had a “helpful face”.  In the same manner, McCain has a “helpful face”.

7:30 - A young woman just spoke about starting SAIF Students for Aiding Indigenant Families.

7:33 - U.S. Congresswoman Michelle Bachmann is speaking, she is the first female Republican congressperson from Minnesota. She is telling an inspiring story about her service providing foster care for 23 foster children as John McCain has adopted a child.  ”Service is an innately personal activity and … thrives  with freedom.”  

“Government is NOT a philonthropic organization, Government is not the family and Government is certainly not the church.”  

“When you keep more of your hard earned money you are are free to spend it on the charities you believe in.”

7:44 - We just heard from Wes Gullet, a family friend of the McCains:

“

For more than 20 years I have heard my friend John McCain say “Serve a cause greater than your self-interest!!”

Those words inspire me and I know that they’re inspiring Americans all across our country.

John McCain knows about service.

His entire life has been about service to our country and America is a better place because of it.

But, our story starts in a far away land: Bangladesh.

This is a story about Cindy McCain, and two baby girls she rescued and brought home to me and to John McCain.

Cindy spends much of her time working throughout the world in places most of us only see on the news.

She works with the poor, bringing them medical care, food and hope.”

7:55 - Now time for some music… Looking forward to Fred Thompson…

Quick Sarah Palin Sidenote:  Be sure to check out Sean’s latest interview with one of the Alaska delegate’s about Sarah Palin and Bristol’s pregnancy.  

Also, please excuse any typos/errors during the convention, I am doing some of the posting from my laptop and some from my iPhone in a hurried manner. Thanks.

8:02 - We are now hearing from the State Superintendent of Arizona, a great school choice advocate (it started in Wisconsin and is spreading, let’s hope we can expand it here!)

8:15 - On to Tommy Espinoza, Catholic, Democrat and friend of John McCain.  Why does he support McCain?  Faith, Hope (public service is a passion), Love

“When John McCain says, “IMMIGRANTS Are Also GOD’s children” … I know his SUFFERING …has given him COMPASSION for the weak, broken families, and the poor … 
John McCain believes in the SANCTITY of human life from conception … 

HE believes in the sanctity of MARRIAGE and FAMILY LIFE … 

John McCain is the leader America needs.

VIVA … JOHN McCAIN … VIVA … AMERICA … “ 

8:22 - Quick video on the first President Bush (41), “another who put country first”.  Watching the video, he had quite the resume.  He is in the audience as well.

8:32 - Leslie Smith is speaking about her experience in Bosnia, “This a land where we can succeed or fail”  - this is a huge point, more and more these days it seems we as a nation won’t let people fail, we have to prop them up with bailouts and government programs.  We need to let people fail, plain and simple.  Charities should help but, the government needs to let people fail, that’s how we learn.

“Now, I’m not telling you this to gain your sympathy, or to garner your respect… 
I tell you this because the most liberating day of my life came when I stopped saying…Why me? 

And started saying, “Why not me?” 

We live in the greatest nation in the world - a land where we are free to succeed or fail according to our own God-given abilities. ”

8:45 - After recognizing the veteran’s, POWs and heros that have passed away protecting us, Laura Bush is now speaking recognizing 43 and Barbara in the audience.

“I am proud that America’s first female Vice President will be a Republican woman.”  ”Thank you to the Republican women in our audience for making the Republican Party so strong.”

“George Remains a man of strong values with an enduring love for the United States of America”.  Introducing her husband.

Quick interlude:  This just in from my Democrat friend on Sarah Palin:

Thoughts?  Add them in the comments.

Back to Laura Bush’s speech:

“Before George W Bush took office, only 50,000 Africans with AIDS were getting the drugs they need, now 2 Million are.”.

8:54 - George W Bush is now speaking.  No finer examples of character and decency then his parents here.  John McCain is ready to lead.

“If the Vietnamese couldn’t break John McCain’s resolve to do what is right, you better believe the left never will.”

He will stand up to the Demoracts in a congress, keep taxes down and drill!

Laugh line: “He is not afraid to tell you when he disagrees, believe me, I know.” 

John McCain support the surge when the left threatened to stop funding them.  ”He would rather lose an election than see his country lose a war.” 

“I am optimistic about our future because I believe in the America people.”  As he said in one of my favorite campaign commercials.

“With Laura speaking you have definitely traded up, she is a fantastic first lady.”

9:03 - Laura is now closing her time thanking everyone here, say their prayers are with us and expressing confidence in Cindy and John McCain.

9:05 - Fred Thompson’s intro video!

9:10 - Man I miss Fred speaking more often on the campaign trail:

“

Listening to them you’d think that we were in the middle of a great depression; that we are down, disrespected and incapable of prevailing against challenges facing us. 

We know that we have challenges … always have, always will. 

But we also know that we live in the freest, strongest, most generous and prosperous nation in the history of the world and we are thankful. ”

Sidenote:  I am also posting my thoughts and some picture links on my Twitter: http://twitter.com/bhenak

“A rebellious mother and a rebellious father - I guess you can see where this is going. In high school and the Naval Academy, he earned a reputation as a troublemaker. 

But as John points out, he wasn’t just a troublemaker. He was the leader of the troublemakers. 

Although loaded with demerits like his father, John was principled even in rebellion. ”

He never violated the honor code.”

“Mixture of rebellion and honor.”

Fred is describing John McCain’s experience as a POW.  Quite the experience.

“The guards cracked ribs, broke teeth off at the gums. They cinched a rope around his arms and painfully drew his shoulders back. 

Over four days, every two to three hours, the beatings resumed. During one especially fierce beating, he fell, again breaking his arm. 

John was beaten for communicating with other prisoners. 

He was beaten for NOT communicating with so-called “peace delegations.” ”

Laugh line: “When his captors wanted the names of other pilots in his squadron, John gave them the names of the offensive line of the Green Bay Packers. ?

“John McCain’s bones may have been broken but his spirit never was.”

“Now being a POW doesn’t qualify anyone to be president but, it does reveal character.”

9:26 - “My friends, that is character you can believe in.”

ZING:”The respect he is given around the world is not because of a teleprompter speech designed to appeal to American critics abroad, but because of decades of clearly demonstrated character and statesmanship. ”

ZING:”History making in that he is the most liberal, most inexperienced nominee to ever run for President. Apparently they believe that he would match up well with the history making, Democrat controlled Congress. History making because it’s the least accomplished and most unpopular Congress in our nation’s history. ”

ZING: “We need a President who understands that you don’t make citizens prosperous by making Washington richer, and you don’t lift an economic downturn by imposing one of the largest tax increases in American history. ”

“We need a President who understands that you don’t make citizens prosperous by making Washington richer, and you don’t lift an economic downturn by imposing one of the largest tax increases in American history. 
Now our opponents tell you not to worry about their tax increases. 

They tell you they are not going to tax your family. 

No, they’re just going to tax “businesses”! So unless you buy something from a “business”, like groceries or clothes or gasoline … or unless you get a paycheck from a big or a small “business”, don’t worry … it’s not going to affect you. 

They say they are not going to take any water out of your side of the bucket, just the “other” side of the bucket! That’s their idea of tax reform.”

That quote was almost an exact rebuttal to this debate I had earlier today.

9:34 - “We need to step up and stand up with John just as he has done for us.”

The rumbling baritone closing!:

“John McCain cannot raise his arms above his shoulders. 
He cannot salute the flag of the country for which he sacrificed so much. Tonight, as we begin this convention week, yes, we stand with him. 

And we salute him. 

We salute his character and his courage. 

His spirit of independence, and his drive for reform. 

His vision to bring security and peace in our time, and continued prosperity for America and all her citizens. 

For our own good and our children’s, let us celebrate that vision, that belief, that faith so we can keep America the greatest country the world has ever seen. 

God bless John McCain and God bless America. ”

Blogger opinion from around me: “Wow!  You can cut that red meat with a knife!”  

None of his comparisons were personal, they were all policy based and head on.  I have supported Fred Thompson for a long time and this is just another example of why!

9:40 - Now it’s time for Lieberman, he is speaking about how we are all Americans and expressing solidarity with the Gulf Coast.

“I am here to support John McCain because country matter more than party!”

ZING:”Both presidential candidates this year talk about changing the culture of Washington, about breaking through the partisan gridlock and special interests that are poisoning our politics. 

But only one of them has actually done it. 

Only one leader has shown the courage and the capability to rise above the smallness of our politics to get big things done for our country and our people. 

And that one is John S McCain!”

Some of John McCain’s accomplishments:

”

My Democratic friends know all about John’s record of independence and accomplishment. 

Maybe that’s why some of them are spending so much time and so much money trying to convince voters that John McCain is someone else. 

I’m here, as a Democrat myself, to tell you: Don’t be fooled. 

God only made one John McCain, and he is his own man. 

If John McCain was just another go-along partisan politician, he never would have taken on corrupt Republican lobbyists, or big corporations that were cheating the American people, or powerful colleagues in Congress who were wasting taxpayer money. 

But he did! ”

ZING:”Senator Obama is a gifted and eloquent young man who can do great things for our country in the years ahead. But eloquence is no substitute for a record — not in these tough times. ”

“Governor Sarah Palin, like John McCain, is a reformer who has taken on the special interests and reached across party lines. She is a leader we can count on to help John shake up Washington. 

That’s why the McCain-Palin ticket is the real ticket for change this year. ”

As I head for the GOP Convention in Twin Cities I am listening closely to the updates on Gustavo and the latest Palin discussions (great call in discussion going on now on WPR with an Alaskan Professor/Palin Surrogate).

I have to admit I am fired up and pulling for Palin but I am intrigued by all the excitement around her nomination, even from a population of people who have written off the GOP, it’s great to see.

I am excited to bring you updates from the convention floor this afternoon and a number of events this evening by posting through my iPhone ( this is my first iPhone wordpress post).

Update:  Checking out the schedule of peripheral events at the National Journal Site.  If you have suggestions as to what you would like to hear about, drop me a comment on this post.

We are excited to announce that two of our bloggers here at Gop3.com will be attending the Republican National Convention in St.Paul, MN. Sarah Kirby and I have obtained special press passes and we will both be blogging and taking pictures at the main event as well as a number of peripheral events. I will be covering September 1-3 and Sarah will be covering some of September 1st and all of the 4th.

For a full schedule of events, see the Republican National Convention blog.  If you see something you would really like to have us attend or you just have suggestions for us while we are there, please make a comment on the post.