Convention Day One

Today's opening of the 2008 Republican Convention is certainly unique. With Hurricane Gustav slamming the Gulf Coast, and Republican delegates sitting on the Convention floor making hurricane relief donations to help their storm-smashed fellow Americans, it's not the way a national convention typically opens.

But hats off to Sen. McCain for recognizing the importance of the Republican Party to first focus of our fellow Americans' plight and not the politics of the day. We'll see how Gustav plays out and the Convention day-to-day activities will, I am sure, be adjusted to make sure daily business rightfully focuses on and reflects the great concern Republicans, and all citizens, have for those impacted by the storm.

Otherwise, I am still home and won't be heading to Minneapolis until tomorrow morning. I wanted to participate in today's Reading Labor Day parade and we are getting our youngest off to her first day of her high school junior year tomorrow. But I am excited to attend the Convention and anticipate a big week to highlight the differences between Sen. McCain's approach to change Washington and move our nation forward versus that of Sen. Obama.

Hopefully voters of all partisan affiliations will be listening!

Over and out- Jim