Notes from the Convention, Day 2

Now that Hurrican Gustav has passed, the number one topic of conversation in the convention halls is Sarah Palin, and there is really an excitement and buzz about her. People are really looking forward to her speech tonight, and we're all anticipating great remarks. When she comes out on the stage, the hall is absolutely going to go wild. And all the media reports over the past couple of days about Palin and her family are just increasing the support and fervor for Palin as the next vice president. If there is one thing that we conventioneers know how to do it is to give long standing ovations (see our ovation for Laura Bush on Monday or our impromtu ovation for Bush 41 on Tuesday evening), and I except we'll give an incredibly long standing ovation for Palin tonight.

If any of you reading this blog are from Texas, you should be really proud of your delegation. The Texas delegation really knows how to act at a convention. First, they all wear the same outfit--usually a polo shirt with a cowboy hat--so they are really noticeable. The California alternates sit behind the Texas delegation and in front of the Texas alternates, so it's kind of like Texas surround sound. It's a fun sight to see 40 cowboy hats being waved in unison. Anyways, the Texas delegation also leads cheers. Last night during some of the breaks the delegation would yell "McCain!" and the alternates would respond with "Palin!" They're also encouraging people to stand up and wave their signs, and they even tried to get the wave going. It's a lot of fun--part political pagentry and part sporting event.

On Monday night, I went to a Daddy Yankee concert which was partly hosted by the Republicans. A couple of weeks ago, the Puerto Rican rapper Daddy Yankee endorsed John McCain, and it was arranged that Daddy Yankee would perform in Minneapolis. The club was packed, mostly with local Minneosta Hispanics, who obviously knew his music. But sprinked among the crowd were a lot of white Republicans who like myself were at best semi-familiar with his music. Anyways, we all had a fun time, but who would have ever thought that Republicans would have a post-Convention party at a Daddy Yankee concert?