ST. PAUL — The mornings ticked along with the clocks here this week. Rigid but constantly changing schedules. Options along the way, but don’t miss the bus. They depart at such-and-such. After breakfast, a political speech and some fun facts that bash Obama and embolden McCain, delegates get their pick for the relaxed mid-day: Go to the Mall of America and shop the mall of all malls, roll to Minneapolis’ CivicFest and buy some political memories or stroll through an Air Force One replica. Delegates even have a chance to play a round of golf on the lush fairways on a fine summer day in Minnesota. It’s pretty much all paid for. And paid for by corporations and politicians who use the opportunity to mention an issue or two that would benefit them — or, in a couple hurricane-related cases, the American Red Cross. “They understand the value of all the delegates,” convention co-chair Cathy Nugent said, explaining why corporations reach out to the delegation. But she and most others said they don’t see the corporate rides as a bribe or even a favor with a wink. It’s simply not, they say. Instead, they see it as a chance to learn about issues, meet new people and be entertained on a work-meets-pleasure trip that only comes along once every four years. Kansas has a wide political spectrum within the Republican party — from ultra conservative to moderate. “The hope is that we leave Minneapolis-St. Paul a little more cohesive,” Nugent said over a Coke in the Xcel Energy Center.
This week showcased politics and influence on one of its biggest stages — the Republican National Convention. Fund-raisers and lobbyist dinners aren’t the types of things that are usually announced in media releases back in Kansas; they go out in invitation form to the Right People. If you’re not on the list, wait outside. But here, reporters are invited to tag along almost everywhere. And we do, for the most part. But we don’t get the free food or drink, although it’s generously offered over and over. (Most of us just salivate, observe and wait for bite on our company’s dime to avoid an ethics conflict.)
Reporters are everywhere here, and most coverage is invited. Kansans talked on record with The New York Times, The Washington Post, Fox News, CNN, MSNBC, Natinoal Public Radio, Paris television stations and Indonesian radio. Kansans were spotted on C-Span, ABC and CNN to name a few. The Eagle’s only planned interview with Sen. Sam Brownback was tucked into a 20-minute slot of travel time on the back of a golf cart wizzing mostly unchecked through security gates between a high-rise hotel and a massive Fox News tent. It came just after some face time on CNN and MSNBC. But aides try to fit everyone in (do a Google News search for “Sam Brownback” if you’re skeptical). The spotlight is on the Republican machine. And it’s on the politicians. And it’s on the people protesting in the streets. And it’s even on the reporters sometimes, especially when Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin is brought up.
But this is The Game. And it’s over now. November is next, and it probably won’t be an easy ride for anyone along the way.