Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Iowa to Florida...A One Year Forced March!

This time last year I was in Des Moines, Iowa for the straw poll and the first Presidential Debate which was sponsored by FOX News. It was a surreal event.

The campaign nomination process started in Iowa and culminated here in Florida. Right now Speaker Boehner is speaking :)

"We Built It!" is the theme of our convention.   "Government was created to serve the people," Boehner is saying. It should not run us...we run it! That is the theme of our constitutions and I never tire of hearing that. It sets the tone of everything! It is a theme that you will not hear at the democrat convention. They are running away from Grassroots politics, not embracing it.

"I am proud to be an American, God Bless the USA," the singer is now singing. Everyone stands.

Monday, August 27, 2012

Tampa On Hold, Scott Walker to Keynote WA Delegation Breakfast

I spoke with a Seattle reporter today and he asked about the weather in Tampa. Well, I'm from Washington! We have some wind and rain but nothing bad at all. For New Orleans and the surrounding area that will not be the case. All of us in Tampa are watching Isaac and praying for those in its path. Politics is second to the safety of others.

So, while the one day delay of the RNC was not needed,  "better safe than sorry." 

The major national nerworks had said they would not cover Monday anyway. I suppose the good news is that Ann Romney, who had been scheduled to speak on Monday will now be on stage Tuesday. She will be in primetime after all.

Today, delegation members explored Clearwater Beach and some went to see  the movie,  "2016."
The Gulf is choppy from the wind. And,  for contact lense wearers, the wind can really dry put the eyes!

Tomorrow, Gov. Scott Walker will be our breakfast speaker.

Republicans always like to see a gubernatorial win. 

P.S. OK, Walker did not make it to the breakfast. We had the mayor of Clearwater though!  Ok, Gov. Bob McDonnell of VA was there, too, and he was great!

Sunday, August 26, 2012

Republican National Convention Update

Saturday late afternoon:

The Tampa Airport was jammed with arriving delegates, alternates, and guests. There were bands playing, welcome tables erected, volunteers stationed and exit doors adorned with "Welcome to Tampa RNC 2012."  Clearly, the potential for a storm has not cut the spirit of the occasion.

Washington is a blue (democrat) state and this is a red event. Many of us have postulated that our delegations distance to the Tampa Bay Times Forum is directly correlated to the color and political make-up of our state. Our delegation is 25 miles away in Clearwater!

Sunday brunch:

The Tampa Yacht Club was the location of our brunch. It was a great time to meet Republican people, party people, from around our state. As I write, we are on a bus going to Davis Island, touring the area, and learning the pirate history of this part of our country. I love the fact that Ft. McDill is located here. I like that idea because I like the area. And, there is the possibility of Capt. John and his family being stationed here. How cool would that be to have a place to stay while visiting?

We are in Tampa now. The guide just said, "If you look closely, you will see some of the snipers on the top of the buildings." I am not sure if that was suppose to be comforting! many of the D/T venues are closed for security reasons. The Hillsboro River is being patrolled by security. No other boats will be allowed on the river while we are here. The boats are small, with blue flashing lights. We just passed an eight horse mounted police patrol. There are units of State Patrol  National Guard, and local police. We are told the security has been up for a couple of weeks. The college is closed. The courts are closed....

The upside for Tampa comes with the publicity and the dollars spent by 50,000 visitors!