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. Read More »
ST. PAUL – Sen. Sam Brownback made a run for the presidency and he’s eyeing the governor’s seat. But tonight it was all Sen. John McCain.
Brownback leveled a passionate endorsement of McCain to Republicans here, drawing a repeated mantra from the crowd of “Yes we will!” as he asked the packed arena whether America would win in Iraq, develop cheaper energy and reform tax codes.
That powerful “Yes we will!” initiated from the sunflower-clad Kansas delegation on the convention floor and quickly spilled through the Xcel Energy Center.
EDINA, Minn. — Barely half a day after a woman from St. John, Kan. addressed the Republican National Convention on rural development, Gov. Kathleen Sebelius today announced the creation of a new Division of Rural Development in the Kansas Department of Commerce.
Was it a reaction to Carolyn Dunn’s short speech on the main stage in St. Paul’s Xcel Energy Center? Or just some coincidental timing? Sebelius’ office says neither. Read More »
EDINA, Minn. — For a minute there, it almost seemed like Sen. Sam Brownback, a staunch conservative and strong supporter of Sen. John McCain, was going to endorse Sen. Barack Obama.
“I think what Obama has tapped into is what Reagan did so well and that’s just the optimism and hope of the American public,” he told a room full of Kansas delegates who were eating plates full of fruit and muffins this morning. “His speeches, when I watch him, I like him.” Read More »
EDINA, Minn. — With a dog sweeping the swanky Westin Hotel here in Edina, some are speculating that Sen. John McCain may be en route to the 3 p.m. Bob Dole tribute. Is a potential president coming to visit a once-potential president? Does an all-star list of Kansas and Missouri politicians warrant some stern men in suits carrying guns and an ATF agent with her dog? We’ll see. Stay tuned.
EDINA, Minn. — Carolyn Dunn, a self-described Kansan farm wife, is back on the speakers list after being bumped from last night’s line-up. Her four-minute speech about rural development and agriculture will come just before 7 p.m., according to a new Republican National Convention media release. Here’s tonight’s line-up… Read More »
EDINA, Minn. — Rep. Todd Tiahrt didn’t have much to say about the McCain-Palin ticket during his breakfast speech to the Kansas Republican delegation this morning, only praising Sen. John McCain as a reformer that he hasn’t always agreed with and Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin for bringing energy and youth to the Republican side of the presidential campaign . Instead of Prez politics, the congressman focused on energy policy reform to “bridge the gap” between contemporary resources like oil and coal to alternative sources such as wind and solar energy. Read More »
ST. PAUL — Carolyn Dunn, a farmer’s wife from St. John, said she will no longer speak tonight at the Republican National Convention. It was a convention decision, and she said it’s unclear whether her four minute speech will find a place in the final two days of activities here. Read More »
EDINA, Minn. — He’s a jokester. He’s a politician. And he’s the guy so many people remember for his propensity to speak of himself in the third person.
He’s Bob Dole. And Wednesday afternoon he’ll be The Man at the “A Tribute to Bob Dole” in the swanky Westin Grand Ballroom. Former Sen. Fred Thompson, fresh off his prime time speech Tuesday, will be there — as will delegates from Kansas and Missouri. Some have rumored that other hot names will show up to honor the former presidential candidate. Read More »
