Yantis Green 

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Texas Delegation Breakfast 8 to 9 am

Lunch with Senator Florence Shapiro

Prayer service w/Governor Rick Perry 4 to 5 pm

6 to 10 pm Session II

10 pm to 1 am Texas Throwdown honoring Rick Perry 

Theme: REFORM

"If you find faults with our country, make it a better one.  If you are disappointed with the mistakes of government, join its ranks and correct them." John McCain

Rudy Giuliani, Gov. Sarah Palin, Mike Huckabee, Tom Ridge, and others.

I hope this works.  We were thrilled this morning to hear from John McCain's mother at the Texas breakfast.  She told us that her mother was born in Cleburne, Texas and that made her a Texan at least for today.  Roberta McCain is 96-years-old.  We also heard from Mike Huckabee.  He was charming as usual and told us this joke.  He said he was headed to the Alabama delegation after visiting with us.  He said all the Wal-Marts in Alabama had sold out of ammunition.  He explained that they heard the Russians had invaded Georgia and they wanted to be prepared!

Last night we went to dinner at Kinkaid's steak house.  the food was great.  We walked through a series of skywalks that connect the buildings in downtown St. Paul.  I guess that are necessary because of the Minnesota winters.  The hotel where we are staying is the Crowne Plaza Riverfront overlooking the beautiful Mississippi River.  We had a reception last night on the top floor where we could overlook the skyline and the river.  On the street below, we watched police in riot gear dispurse a crowd of protestors.  It reminded me of images of the 1960's.  Yesterday, we approved the credentials committee report, the rules and the platform.  The 2008 Republican Platform was billed as the most conservative ever written.  Reading it last night, I believe that's true!

Tonight we'll hear from Fred Thompson live and President Bush via satellite.  Look for more info tomorrow.

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Hurricane Gustav hit the Louisiana Coast, but affected the Republican National Covention in Minnesota as well.  Monday night's planned speeches were canceled because President Bush chose to be in Texas focusing on hurricane relief efforts.  Here in St. Paul, the Texas Delegation was pleasantly surprised at breakfast by an appearance and rousing speech by First Lady Laura Bush.  She reminded us that  the ost important thing we can do is to help with the relief efforts, and the convention, while important, is secondary.

     Mrs. Bush was joined by Texas Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and U.S. Senator John Cornyn.  While the primetime events were called off Monday, as part of the Texas delegation, I got to see and hear the great leadership I expected to. 

     I was on the same flight from Dallas as Senator Cornyn, his wife and daughter.  It was neat to stand at the baggage carroussel with a United States Senator waiting on his luggage to show up. 

     I got to speak briefly with Dr. Donald R. May, who spoke at the Concho Valley Republican Women luncheon in San Angelo last Thursday.  He rens a very successful conservative blog through the Lubbock Avalanche Journal.  And I got to speak with Roger Williams, former Texas Secretary of State and now head of Texas Victory 2008. 

     Delegates and alternates attended the Minnesota Host Committee welcome party at the Minneapolis convention center.  Think of Minneapolis-St. Paul like Dallas-Fort Worth; the RNC meets in St. Paul (Sallas); and the state welcome party and exhibit hall are in Minneapolis (Fort Worth).  The volunteers are very friendly and treat us very well.  The exhibit hall was filled with vendors selling everything from political buttons to books to clothing and air-powered collapsible flag poles. 

     I was interviewed by a professor from the United Kingdom at the Presidential exhibits, where there were all kinds of memorabilia.  Dr. Trevor B. McCrisken, associate professor in American politics and international studies at the University of Warwick is researching the impact of religion on American Politics.

     We talked a llttle about Mitt Romney and the Mormon question and how evangelical Christians are leaning in the current presidential race. He was accompanied by Dr. Richard Jackson from the Department of International Politics at the University of Wales.  That was a great convesation. 

     Conversations here focus on a couple of things.  First, what Hurricane Gustav is doing at home, and second,  the selection of Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska as John McCain's vice-presidential candidate.  Dewhurst in the morning got it right when he said delegates are "electrified and energized" by Palin.

     Everyone I've spoken with is excited about Governor Palin and we're looking forward to hearing from her here in St. Paul.  I also spoke briefly with Texas Republican Party Chairwoman Tina Binkiser and former vice Chairman David Barton. 

     I caught up with the rest of our Delegation from CD11.  They are delegates Greg Simmons and Brandon Pinson and alternates Caleb Weatherl and Mike Kaufman from the Midland-Odessa area, and Andrew White from Fredericksburg.  I'll have more from the convention tomorrow.