Monday, September 1st Update from Minneapolis/ St. Paul

 

The day started off with a Mississippi delegation breakfast in Minneapolis.  Mississippi GOP Chairman Jim Herring welcomed the crowd of Mississippi delegates, alternate delegates, and guests.  The topic of the breakfast was undoubtedly Hurricane Gustav. 

 

It seemed as if the complete focus of the Republican National Convention was temporarily turned to the storm.  Sen. John McCain’s Deputy Campaign Manager Christian Ferry visited the breakfast and spoke to the Mississippi crowd.  Several speakers were canceled on Monday and events were changed to fundraisers to benefit those affected by the storm.  Only necessary business was conducted which included the delegates accepting the Republican platform.  Ferry emphasized the fact that we are here to do a job of nominating Sen. McCain and Gov. Sarah Palin as our president and vice president; however, he said we should now focus on our efforts to support those in the Gulf States.

 

Ferry said, “Now is a time to take our Republican hat off and put our American hat on.”  He highlighted that this is a great time to focus the convention on “Country first,” McCain’s slogan for the presidential election.  He then informed the Mississippi delegation on McCain and Palin’s visit to Jackson, MS.  Both visited in order to receive a full briefing of the storm and to assess possible storm impacts in advance of the arrival of Gustav.

 

Tennessee Representative and Mississippi native Marsha Blackburn, was a featured speaker at the breakfast as well.  Blackburn noted that we as Americans should “focus on what we believe in and what makes our country great.”  She emphasized her excitement and support for Governor Sarah Palin as the vice presidential pick for the Republican ticket.  She said that Palin knows that in order to change the world, we must start at home.

 

Another interesting featured speaker at the breakfast was Colonel Bud Day, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who was a Prisoner of War in the same camp as McCain.  He intrigued the crowd with a heart-felt story of his 5 years as a POW and his experience as McCain’s bed-side neighbor while in the camp.  He noted McCain’s courage and loyalty as he refused to take an early release in front of his fellow soldiers.  At 95 lbs, McCain was on the edge of death.  Colonel Day said that McCain “took death before dishonor.”

 

GOP Chairman Jim Herring closed the breakfast by announcing a prayer service that has been organized by the Texas, Louisiana, and the Mississippi delegation.  It is to be held today from 4 to 5 in St. Paul for those who want to gather to pray for those affected by Hurricane Gustav.

 

Later in the day, an afternoon business meeting was conducted on a smaller scale at the convention due to several canceled speakers.  Rules and platform were adopted.  Cindy McCain and Laura Bush spoke at the meeting and Haley Barbour, Bobby Jindal, Bob Riley and Rick Perry were brought in on satellite to give updates on Hurricane Gustav.

 

Check back for more coverage from the Republican National Convention in Minneapolis/ St. Paul.

 

Tags: convention coverage live, Minneapolis, monday, Republican National Convention, september 1, St. Paul

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