Getting ready for the Republican National Convention
It is my pleasure to report from the Republican National Convention on a daily basis. I have never been to Minnesota and was told to bring my golf clubs and fly fishing rod. The only problem with that recommendation is that I don’t golf or fly fish. I don’t think I would have time for that kind of thing since I have seen a preview of our delegate schedule and it is packed.
This is my first convention as a delegate (I was a volunteer in Philadelphia in 2000) and I am extremely excited to experience politics on a national stage. I am scheduled to arrive in Minneapolis later today where I hope the travel logistics are smoother than Denver. A few of my Democrat friends told me that the city was nice but getting around was a nightmare.
I learned today that with Hurricane Gustav taking aim at the Gulf Coast the convention agenda and delegate schedule may change. Most of the delegates are extremely involved in their communities and there is talk that the convention may utilize us to assist in the disaster relief efforts. I will provide updates as soon as I find out more information.
As far as political discussions go, the non stop buzz has been about the surprise choice of Gov. Sarah Palin as the vice-presidential candidate. From a purely strategic perspective you have to give the McCain campaign its due. They kept a secret, chose a running mate who solidifies McCain’s maverick image, and did all this on a day that was supposed to have been reserved for the Democrats. Governor Palin’s clear objective for the convention will be to show the delegates and the nation that John McCain made the right choice in a running mate.
I will also be interested to see first hand what steps organizers have taken to make this convention the “greenest” Republican National Convention in history. With the nation focused on energy issues, the party showed real foresight when planning started last year and they decided to focus on sustainability and conservation. There is a fleet of hybrid and ethanol vehicles being used to shuttle attendees and organizers around, as well as an entire fleet of bicycles that attendees can pick up and drop off at will at various locations around the convention area. I also heard that the party asked its vendors to use recycled materials whenever possible – from the signage that will be hanging throughout the arena to the carpets made of recycled material on the floor. And of course, there will be the recycling containers located throughout the convention to cut down on waste.
This is my first convention as a delegate (I was a volunteer in Philadelphia in 2000) and I am extremely excited to experience politics on a national stage. I am scheduled to arrive in Minneapolis later today where I hope the travel logistics are smoother than Denver. A few of my Democrat friends told me that the city was nice but getting around was a nightmare.
I learned today that with Hurricane Gustav taking aim at the Gulf Coast the convention agenda and delegate schedule may change. Most of the delegates are extremely involved in their communities and there is talk that the convention may utilize us to assist in the disaster relief efforts. I will provide updates as soon as I find out more information.
As far as political discussions go, the non stop buzz has been about the surprise choice of Gov. Sarah Palin as the vice-presidential candidate. From a purely strategic perspective you have to give the McCain campaign its due. They kept a secret, chose a running mate who solidifies McCain’s maverick image, and did all this on a day that was supposed to have been reserved for the Democrats. Governor Palin’s clear objective for the convention will be to show the delegates and the nation that John McCain made the right choice in a running mate.
I will also be interested to see first hand what steps organizers have taken to make this convention the “greenest” Republican National Convention in history. With the nation focused on energy issues, the party showed real foresight when planning started last year and they decided to focus on sustainability and conservation. There is a fleet of hybrid and ethanol vehicles being used to shuttle attendees and organizers around, as well as an entire fleet of bicycles that attendees can pick up and drop off at will at various locations around the convention area. I also heard that the party asked its vendors to use recycled materials whenever possible – from the signage that will be hanging throughout the arena to the carpets made of recycled material on the floor. And of course, there will be the recycling containers located throughout the convention to cut down on waste.
posted by Mike Puppio at
10:54 PM
3 Comments
