RNC - S.D. delegates motivated by convention

For Capital Journal:

By Katie Evans

Wick News Services

        ST. PAUL, Minn. – Conventions have changed since the last time Mayor Sam Tidball attended one years ago, but only in subtle ways.

        "It's still the basic convention…where they select their candidate,"

he said. "We just didn't have the electronics years ago they have now."

        But, changes aside, Tidball said attending the 2008 Republican National Convention was an exciting experience.

        And a historic one, at that, with Alaska Governor Sarah Palin being officially nominated as the vice presidential candidate during the convention's final night.

        "It is historic and it was very exciting," Tidball said. "That's a good thought, a good memory to have, because it certainly is a good time here…lots of enthusiasm.

        "It really does add a different flavor to the ticket with Gov. Palin on the ticket."

        And, while Palin's Wednesday night speech got most Republicans fired up, her title was all that was needed for a select few.

        "Governors are excited about having a governor in the vice president position," said South Dakota Gov. Mike Rounds, a delegate, who will quickly correct critics who say she's too inexperienced for the position.

        "She's making executive decisions everyday," he said, describing her as a "true breath of fresh air out of Alaska."

        "I think that probably surprised a lot of people, but I think it was a good, solid pick," agreed U.S. Senator John Thune of Palin's nomination. "She has been someone who is willing to mix it up and try and bring about positive change.

        "I think it's a particularly good fit for (McCain) and I think the ticket will be a very strong one going into the fall."

        Thune acted as the chairman of the South Dakota delegation  during the RNC, and said he loved the opportunity to be a part of "democracy in action."

        "Being the chairman of the South Dakota delegation is an honor, it's a privilege," Thune said. "I've been helping as much as I can with the McCain campaign as a surrogate, speaking with other groups, talking to the media."

        "You get a chance to interact, get a flavor for other states," Thune continued. "Sometimes that's a good learning experience as well to learn what issues are important to people from other areas."

        Tidball said he thought South Dakota had a great delegation at the RNC, explaining that "they certainly lent their support."

        And, being a part of the delegation and being given an opportunity to hear Palin speak, has Tidball looking forward to the Republican campaign.

        "I think (Palin) did an excellent job: She made the points she wanted to make and I think she conveyed those very thoroughly and very well to the public," Tidball said. "I think she has the kind of dynamite that's needed to lend a different state of affairs to Washington D.C.

        "She and McCain seem to be on the same wavelength and I think that her values certainly represent the values of the majority of the people in South Dakota."

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