RNC - Convention opens with appeal for Gustav help

By Katie Evans
Herald/Review

Published on Tuesday, September 02, 2008

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Country first.

The theme of the 2008 Republican National Convention became much more real to those involved as the convention stripped its first day of activities down to strictly business while attentions focused on the Gulf Coast states affected by Hurricane Gustav.

Cindy McCain, wife of Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., left, speaks as first lady Laura Bush listens during the opening session of the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn., Monday, Sept. 1, 2008. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) “We are Republicans. But more importantly, we are proud Americans. And as one nation under God, we come together with prayerful hearts for our country,” said Republican National Committee Chairman Mike Duncan. “As we gather in Minnesota, a great storm afflicts our country. And, when one of us is threatened, we are all threatened. As Americans we rise to the challenge. We unite, we respond. We take care of our own.”

As a result, Republicans opted to downplay politics during the Labor Day start to the convention, canceling speeches from President George Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney and California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, among others.

Instead, the Republican Party did what it had to do as required by party regulations, and also reached out for donations for hurricane relief efforts.

National conventions are the official nomination of a party’s presidential candidate, which in the Republican case is expected to be Arizona Sen. John McCain, though through time conventions have become more of a four-day celebration of the chosen nominee versus a time when the  convention served as the decision-making body.

Arizona delegate Gail Griffin said there was a different feel to this year’s event compared to the 2004 convention in New York she attended, though the excitement was still there.

“We’re putting the people first, we’re all concerned about the Gulf Coast,” Griffin said following the end of day one activities for the session. “We still feel the excitement,” she added. “We’re all proud of the process.”

As first lady Laura Bush walked out onto the stage, the crowd at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul erupted in cheers and a prompt standing ovation. She repeatedly tried to calm the crowd down so she could talk, but to no avail.

Over on one side of the center, Texas delegates and alternates waved cowboy hats in the air for her.

“Our first priority for today and in coming days is to ensure the safety and well-being of those living in the Gulf Coast region,” said Laura Bush as she addressed the crowd. “The effect of Hurricane Gustav is just now being measured. When such events occur, we are reminded that first, we are all Americans, and that our shared American ideals will always transcend political parties and partisanship.”

She left the stage briefly as four videos were shown of governors of Gulf Coast states who addressed the convention.

“You’re seeing Republican governors in, I think, Republican states doing a great job,” Texas Governor Rick Perry said via video. “We’re doing our job down here on the southern coast of the United States.”

“We stand ready to once again help one another to assist our neighbors,” said Florida Governor Charlie Crist. “That is what we do as Americans.”

Also shown were video addresses from Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour and Alabama Governor Bob Riley.

As the first lady returned to the stage following the videos, the crowd erupted in cheers once again as she was accompanied by Sen. John McCain’s wife, Cindy.

“I am so honored to be standing next to Mrs. Bush,” Cindy said before talking about several hurricane relief Web sites people could visit to help the affected states. “As John has been saying for the last several days, ‘This is the time where we take off our Republican hats and put on our American hats.’ ”

“Americans are known for coming together for the aide of their fellow citizens,” Bush said, wrapping up the day one appearance for herself and Cindy. “Today, and in the coming days, let’s work together.”

Griffin said she enjoyed the speeches. “The message was good. I thought the first lady was very classy and right on mark,” Griffin said, adding that she enjoyed Cindy’s remarks as well.

Even though changes to the convention were made just the day before it started, Griffin said she wasn’t disappointed to be a part of a more demure event.

“Not at all,” she said. “We’re there for the people.”