Missourinet

Back in Missouri - with great memories of the Twin Cities

Minnesota - home of statesmen like Hubert Humphrey ... music legends like Bob Dylan ... cartoon icons like Bullwinkle the Moose (I couldn't resist) ... and some very friendly people.

The folks in Minneapolis-Saint Paul who hosted the 2008 Republican National Convention did a wonderful job. There were police officers from all over the state and a number of neighboring states brought in to help keep the peace in the event of any trouble. And, unfortunately, there was some trouble from a splinter group within a much larger group of protesters.

These people somehow thought it was cool to vandalize ... and the police quickly hauled these lawbreakers off to a cell somewhere. Call me madcap ... but I kind of favor law and order over anarchy.

Anyway, the idiots who were responsible for injuring a couple of delegates from Colorado (nobody from Missouri was hurt, from what we could see) and damaging property have had enough attention. So, let's move on to things that are more pleasant - like most of the residents of the Twin Cities who were happy to host delegates and guests (and even the media folks) from all over the country and all over the world.

These Minnesotans would randomly ask visitors how they were doing ... offer assistance in any way ... and go out of the way to try to make the visitors feel welcome. It was so unlike New York four years ago ... when some of the people who realized there were Republican delegates on a bus would serve up the middle finger, which, of course, is in poor taste.

But this is the Midwest - not the East Coast ... and people are polite here (for the most part). From the hotel employees who greeted us with smiles and pleasantries ... to the bus drivers who would drive us all over the Twin Cities as we went from event to event ... to the people at the XCel Energy Center - people like Julie Ann Shearen who patrolled the media elevator and - for the four days of the convention - greeted me with a friendly, "Hi, Missouri!" All of them wore red buttons with white lettering reading "Good to see you" - and they meant it.

Minneapolis-St. Paul doesn't have the experience cities like New York or Chicago have hosting something as big as a major party political convention ... and it was a pain in the posterior to have to hop on one of the RNC buses to be taken 30 or 35 miles to an event ... then shuttled another 30 or 35 miles to a different event. But it all went like clockwork because the workers, volunteers, the ordinary residents were determined to make it work for us.

If you've never been to the Twin Cities you might consider taking a mini-vacation there. Having had a brother who lived there for a time I had visited many times and knew what to expect. But some of the Missourians attending the convention got to see Minnesota hospitality for the first time.

Minnesota doesn't have the glamour and excitement of New York or Los Angeles ... but it doesn't have that East Coast or West Coast snobbery, either ... just a lot of friendly people who want to help in any way they can. Given that ... who needs the glitz?

- Steve Walsh

Swag - one of the real reasons reporters like covering conventions

It's called swag ... you know ... free stuff that corporations hand out to convention delegates, guests, and assorted hangers-on (that must mean reporters).

Having attended my share of conventions and other political events, I have managed to acquire quite a truckload of swag down through the years. Some reporters frown on taking swag, suggesting you might be compromising your journalistic integrity by accepting a stuffed animal that you're going to give to somebody's kid. I say ... if you can be bought for the price of a stuffed animal ... you're not worth much to begin with.

Anyway ... this year's haul has included everything from a stuffed elephant from the fine people at AT&T, a baseball cap from the really fine people at AT&T - which just happens to be my cell phone service provider, another cap - this one from the folks providing the best in rail service - BNSF (Burlington Northern Santa Fe), a Windjammer umbrella - if you want to keep dry ... it has to be Windjammer, and the standard box of Kraft Macaroni and Cheese. Kraft - an American standard.

So ... when a reporter you know gets home from covering some event and says he or she didn't have time to pick up a souvenir or two ... now you know that the reporter is holding out on you.

- Steve Walsh

Missouri delegates pay tribute to Bob Dole

What a great time for the Missouri delegation as the gang attended an event honoring former Senator Bob Dole of Kansas ... the man who led the U.S. Senate for part of the Clinton Administration ... and then challenged President Clinton in 1996.

It was an all star lineup on hand for the event. It included such notables as former Tennessee Senator Fred Thompson, who looks a lot like Arthur Branch on Law and Order ... Kansas Senator Sam Brownback ... and Missouri's own former Senator Jack Danforth ... former Senator Jim Talent ... and Congressman Kenny Hulshof, who is running for Governor.

There were the funny moments ... including a line delivered by Arthur Branch ... er ... Fred Thompson. Talking about Barack Obama, Thompson suggested there's something wrong with someone who has written two autobiographies by the time he is 45.

The guest of honor offered his thoughts on the media and a liberal bias ... then put forward some very kind thoughts about the late Tim Russert of NBC's Meet the Press ... and the late Tony Snow of Fox News - who also served as President Bush's Press Secretary. Dole said that while Snow was a Republican and Russert was a Democrat, having worked for Senator Pat Moynihan, these guys were as fair as they come during interviews.

Prior to the event ... a few of us were given the chance to interview the former Senate Majority Leader. During my one-on-one I asked Dole what John McCain has to do to keep

Missouri in the red column in November ... and he told me McCain has to visit the state a lot ... and so does Sarah Palin - the VP candidate. And, he expects the two to do just that in the final two months of the campaign.

- Steve Walsh

Missouri delegates lend a helping hand to hurricane victims

There's something about assisting folks who need a helping hand. With that in mind, many of the Missouri delegates to the Republican National Convention in Saint Paul hopped on a bus and headed to the Minneapolis Convention Center to help stuff kits that will be sent to people in the Gulf who have been negatively impacted by that damaging hurricane that hit the Gulf Coast.

Wearing red shirts with the words "Kenny's Crew"(for Kenny Hulshof) printed in white letters, the Missourians stood out as they worked on tables ... stuffing everything from personal hygiene items like deodorant, body wash, toothpaste, and tooth brushes ... to food items that included granola bars, snack foods, and fruit drinks.

I spoke with Bonnie McElveen-Hunter - Chair of the American Red Cross and a graduate of Stephens College in Columbia. She told me 80,000 kits are being put together and sent to the Gulf Coast. At this stage I could joke about how I haven't seen some of these Missouri delegates move this quickly ... and I really want to do it ... but I won't. They did a good thing ... and that's something to keep in mind whenever some malcontent mouths off about how people who attend events like this don't care.

One last thing, if I may (of course I may ... it's my blog) ... one of the great things about attending these conventions is getting to spend time with some great people ... and they're great for reasons other than the fact they're helping with hurricane relief. One of those wonderful people is alternate delegate Michelle Colbert of Steelville - one of several delegates and reporters who sit down in the Ramada Inn (and Water Park) lounge at the end of a long day and enjoy an adult beverage or two ... or three ... or more. Wednesday night she asked why I hadn't written anything about her, specifically ... and I told her I would ... because I can. And, I have.

- Steve Walsh

Sarah a "no show" ... Laura Ingraham pinch hits at RNC for Life event

Members of the Missouri media had received word that Alaska Governor Sarah Palin - John McCain's nominee for Vice President - would be speaking at the Republican National Coalition for Life event during the Republican National Convention. And, with that in mind, Joe Mannies of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and I had asked Phyllis Shlafley if we could attend. She said that would be no problem ... and Jo and I went to the event to see if we could get a glimpse of the GOP's newest star.

Well, there was disappointment, my friends, when Jo and I were told that the most talked about politician from the 49th state would not be attending. In her place, though, would be talk show host Laura Ingraham.

Laura was, of course, great. But the event did not go off without hitches - one at the beginning and the other at the end as peace protesters made their way onto the stage and were quickly removed without any damage being done.

It was a successful event which featured lots of food and drink and a rousing speech from someone who once clerked for Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas.

While walking through the audience I ran into Governor Matt Blunt ... who shall be referred to in this story as Our Matt. We had a chat about his appearance on MSNBC earlier in the day ... with me asking Our Matt if he might ever appear on that network as a guest on Keith Olbermann's show. Immediately upon asking that question I realized how stupid a question it was because anyone who has ever watched Keith Olbermann knows he only has guests with whom he agrees and who hate Republicans. Okay ... maybe "hate" is a strong word ... but pretty close to reality.

Anyway, Communications Director Rich Chrismer asked me why I always referred to Senator Claire McCaskill as "Our Claire." And I told him it was just one of the little things I started doing to make the Missourinet blog stand out from the others. And I told him I would refer to his boss as "Our Matt" for a time.

And, to borrow a line from Yul Brynner in The Ten Commandments ... "So it is written ... so it shall be done!"

By the way ... the event was well attended ... with a lot of those in attendance having to scoot over to the Xcel Center for the start of the evening's activities, which included speeches from former Tennessee Senator Fred Thompson and Senator Joe Lieberman of Connecticut, who urged Democrats to put the good of the country ahead of the good of the party and to vote for John McCain.

- Steve Walsh

Missouri delegates eat, drink ... and eat and drink some more

Tuesday with the Missouri delegation to the Republican National Convention is a day filled with food and drinks and all the other good things that make so many of us so happy to be living in America.

It's a day that began with a trip to the Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad depot in Saint Paul, where the delegation was treated to orange juice, wine, and breakfast burritos, among other tasty treats.

The folks barely had time to say thank you to BNSF before hopping on the bus and heading back to the Ramada Inn - our host hotel - for a luncheon with some of the big names in politics. Former presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton, former Maryland Lieutenant Governor Michael Steele, and John McCain's mother, Rebecca.

Following lunch, a dinner reception courtesy of Union Pacific, and more food.

The eating and drinking is interrupted only by the need to actually take care of some convention business ... but then it's a concern in downtown Minneapolis ... a concert featuring former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee playing "A Little Straight Rock."

When delegates return home ... a few pounds heavier ... and tell you they worked hard for a week ... you'll know what they might not have wanted to tell you!

- Steve Walsh

Missouri delegates enjoy a great convention opening - despite protesters

Truth be told ... only one delegation has better seats than the Missouri delegation at the Republican National Convention in Saint Paul, Minnesota - and that would be Ohio. The folks from the Buckeye State are directly in front of the stage ... while Show-Me State delegates are just a tad off to the speaker's left.

If I were cynical ... I might suggest the GOP is playing up to two crucial states - Ohio and Missouri. But, not cynical, I won't. On second thought ... of course I'm cynical ... I'm a reporter.

Anyway, Missourians seem to be having a good time ... in spite of the fact our hotel is so far north of the convention center we have to shovel four feet of snow before we get out in the morning. I'm being dishonest ... actually, it's only three feet of snow.

Okay ... I ran into our senior U.S. Senator Kit Bond at the arena on Monday. He tells me he had to walk a bit to get into the convention center. I heard the same from several other people who complained that protesters were causing trouble and - in some cases - breaking the law. There were the peacenicks who just wanted to march and lie down in the street. But, according to a couple of delegates with whom I spoke, some of the anarchists in the group started breaking the law ... and breaking glass.

Organizers had hoped for a crowd of about 25,000 for a protest on the opening day of the convention ... but estimates range from 5,000 to 10,000. It's still a good crowd - for a minor league baseball game ... but not really so good when you consider it was a holiday.

So much for the protesters ... the Missourians inside the arena had great seats for the opening day ... and had a great view of First Lady Laura Bush and Cindy McCain.

Wednesday is a big day for the Missouri delegation with visits from - among others - former presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani, former United Nations Ambassador John Bolton, former Maryland Lieutenant Governor Michael Steele ... and John McCain's mom! Now ... that's a great day at the convention.

- Steve Walsh

Missouri delegates tickled pink - Code Pink - as they enter Minneapolis Convention Center

One of the first events Missouri delegates to the Republican National Convention in Saint Paul, Minnesota attended - as a group - was a Sunday evening event at the Minneapolis Convention Center ... an event known as Civic Fest. Civic Fest is billed as "A very Minnesota celebration- celebrating Minnesota and American history.

There was plenty of food for delegates from all across the country ... and exhibits ranging from pieces of the Lincoln Presidential Library in Springfield, Illinois ... to political memorabilia ... to First Ladies' Gowns .. to live stage performances ... a full-scale replica of Air Force One ... and one of the Oval Office. These Minnesotans are doing a great job of extending a welcome.

As we rolled up to the Convention Center in our bus, Missouri delegates (and others) were greeted by Medea Benjamin - a peace activist. You might recognize her from the accompanying photo. If not, you might be familiar with the anti-war group Code Pink. Medea is co-founder of this group. If that doesn't ring any bells ... I'm sure you've seen her from time to time with Bill O'Reilly or on Hannity and Colmes.

I had a chance to chat with Medea about her greeting Sunday night ... which was very pleasant, peaceful, and served up with a big smile.

Download MedeaBenjamin.MP3

Media only had a few people with her Sunday night ... but is one of tens of thousands in town for a huge demonstration set for Monday in Saint Paul as marchers make their way from the State Capitol to the hockey arena where the convention is being staged. The curtailing of the events could lead to a scaling back of this protest ... but organizers made it clear they would go ahead with their plans, nonetheless.

- Steve Walsh

Missouri gets prime spot on the floor ... not so prime hotel location

Well ... here goes entry number one from the Republican National Convention in Minneapolis-Saint Paul.  It seems as though it were just four years ago the Missouri delegation to the Republican National Convention in New York stayed at the luxurious Westin Times Square - just a 20 minute walk from Madison Square Garden. Of course ... it was just four years ago.

This year, Missourians are staying at the Ramada Inn ... and Water Park! There's nothing like checking into a hotel room that has wet floors because the previous guests were here to enjoy the fabulous Ramada Inn ... and Water Park.

I kid ... because I can. In all seriousness, we have learned that while the Missouri delegation might be closer to Winnipeg, Manitoba than to Saint Paul, Minnesota (just kidding) ... Missouri has a choice spot on the floor - FRONT ROW BABY! That's right ... you'll see the Missourians right down in front to the left of the speakers.

But it should also be noted that because of Hurricane Gustav things have been curtailed here at the Convention. Day One on Monday will basically be a "gavel in, gavel out" day officially because of ongoing concerns about the situation with Hurricane Gustav in the Gulf. Clearly, Republicans do not want to be seen as partying to excess while part of the country is hit with a natural disaster. There's even talk of helping out the victims ... should things get bad down South.

In the meantime, though ... the show is underway.

- Steve Walsh

Blunt and Blag wager on college football opener

Friendly wagers involving political leaders from different cities and states are not uncommon during sporting events ... and our Governor Matt Blunt has entered into a bet with Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich over Saturday's opening football game for the Missouri Tigers as they hopefully crush ... er ... take on the Illinois Fighting Illini under the Dome in St. Louis.

What's at stake this year? If the Tigers lose - which we hope will not happen - our Governor will officially proclaim September 6th - the date of both teams’ first home game - "University of Illinois Fighting Illini Day" and should the Fighting Illini lose, Blagojevich is set to proclaim the same day "University of Missouri Fighting Tigers Day" on his home turf. In addition, the losing Governor has also agreed to pose for a photo with the proclamation.

On a personal note ... I am disappointed that the game starts in the evening. I'm going to miss the opener as I have to head up to Minneapolis-Saint Paul for the Republican National Convention. When I saw the schedule a few months back I was hoping for a late morning or early afternoon game ... which would allow me to scoot up to the Twin Cities after the game ... but a night game tosses that plan out the window.

Anyway, I have some fun ideas in mind for the Missourinet blog once I get to Minnesota. And, with the selection of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as John McCain's running mate ... we could see a more energized convention ... and those are always more fun to cover.

- Steve Walsh