Yantis Green 

Saturday, Septembe 6, 2008

 Amazing adveuture comes to an end.

     The Republican National Convention wrapped up Thursday night on a high note.

     John McCain's acceptance speech more than satisfied the partisan crowd in St. Paul, Minn., elicited the expected intense response from the other party, and provided the media with plenty of material to carry through the last 60 days of the presidential campaign. 

     When I first filed a column for this adventure, I said, "How hard can it be?"  I had a couple of revelations Thursday.

     As I walked from the hotel to the Xcel Center wearing the inmistakable Texas flag shirt and cowboy hat, and greeting everyone I met with a smile and a "Hi!...how'r yall?" I realized that I was truly an ambassador for Texas while the world was watching.  I just hope I did a good enough job. 

     Then, during McCain's speech on the convention floor, I realized I was making history, not just watching it on TV.  My wife sent a text message saying a friend of hers just saw me on TV, 

     I took time to look around at the signs of the states and the faces of the delegates, alternates and famous folks through the sea of signs, pins, buttons, video screeens and cowboy hats.  The balloon and confetti drop at the finale was quite spectacular. 

     At that moment, I thought that there must be thousands of friends and family watching, texting, and trying to get a glimpse from home at such a significant event.  The opportunity to experience that has been an honor and a privilege I will never forget. 

     Some highlights had little to do with the convention itself.  Kenny Blanek's cousin Harry took us to lunch at Savoy Red's Pizza for one of the best meals of the trip.  He also drove us around St. Paul by the State Capitol Building. 

     That was the first time we got to see a staging area for the protestors and anarchists. 

     I also ran into a gentleman from Minnesota whose sister's husband is a San Angelo physician.  He tracked me down on the convention floor for a picture.  That was one of dozens of instances in which people would take pictures or tell us their stories of having connections to Texas.

     It's difficult to explain just how much impact the Texas Delegation has on the convention.  Not only are we the most visible delegation, we are also the best organized. 

     I visited with former Montana Sen. Conrad Burns.  He is a jovial fellow and a great story teller.  Burns asked me if I knew the late Gene Newman of San Angelo.  Burns was really impressed by the Newman cattle operation. 

     On Thursday, the last night, delegates were busy meeting with other delegates from around the country. 

     I took time to visit with the Arizona and Alaska delegations.  The home states of the nominees were very popular.  I gave a Texas lapel pin to delegates from both states.

     One of the most memorable lines from any of the speakers for me came at the Thursday morning Texas breakfast.  Indiana Congressman Mike Pence told of a trip to Iraq he made with John McCain.  Pence said the group of lawmakers was introduced to a sheik in Anbar province before the surge was implemented.  The sheik shook hands with each member of the delegation and said it was nice to meet them.  When he was introduced to John McCain, the sheik said it was a special pleasure to meet him.  Pence said the sheik told McCain that he knew of him and his warrior family, and he trusted McCain.  Pence's message was that McCain's reputation is very valuable in that culture. 

     I found out that the Texas Delegation has many traditions, one of which is to give away your cowboy hat to someone in the host city.  I gave mine to Fox News Chief White House correspondent Bret Baier.

     I've had a great time meeting new friends and renewing old aquaintances over the course of the last week.  It seems like weeks ago that the first night's speeches were canceled and we were wondering whether there was even going to be a convention.

     This has been an adventure for me and it has also been a treat to share it with you. 

     Thanks for reading these updates, and I'll see yall when I get home.