RNC - N.D. delegates relish once-in-a-lifetime opportunity

For the Daily News in Wahpeton, ND:

By Katie Evans

Wick News Service

        ST. PAUL, MINN. – Stan Stein and Jim Strege both described the 2008 Republican National Convention the same way: A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

        "It's a dream," Stein said, who's an alternate for North Dakota. "It's educational, fun and, hopefully, fruitful."

        Educational because it gave the delegates a "first-hand look at how the system works," Stein said, who's the vice chairman for the North Dakota GOP. In addition, Stein said it worked as a research project for members of the North Dakota GOP who are reviewing their caucus.

        "We're seeing if there's things we can change," Stein said, adding that they've been talking to delegates from other caucus states to see how they handle theirs. "Especially Iowa – they're kind of the king of caucuses."

        Research aside, Stein and Strege said it was exciting to participate in the convention.

        "There's a lot of excitement and enthusiasm," Strege said. "The people are just kind of electrified.

        "After (Sen. John) McCain picked up his vice president choice (Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin), that seemed like it was a big boost for everybody."

        Another impressive aspect to the convention that they both agreed on was the security.

        "I've never seen so many police officers in my life," Strege said.

        "They've been very, very thorough," Stein agreed. But, most surprising to him "no one is complaining."

        A highlight for Stein was attending a Beach Boys concert on the first night of the convention, where he saw Bill O'Reilly.

        "It was great," he said. "That was really, really fun."

        A fan of celebrity spotting, Stein said he enjoyed going to Radio Row – an portion of the media are lined with different radio stations – where he would stand for about 20 minutes seeing who came through.

        "(Monday) we saw J.D. Hayworth," Stein said. "Newt Gingrich walked by us."

        His curiosity peaked by a group of Secret Service men standing around, Stein took a look and saw they were guarding former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani.

        Stein was most excited to see former Tennessee Senator Fred Thompson speak. Thompson, who took the stage and, through his speech, helped breath excitement back into the convention following a slow first day, was no disappointment, Stein said.

        Strege said he was excited to hear First Lady Laura Bush talk on the first day, along with McCain's wife, Cindy. But mainly he was just waiting for the nomination and acceptance speeches.

        "I think that's going to be exciting," he said.

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