Free Republic

Things slowly got back to normal on Tuesday. We were all relieved that the storm affecting the Gulf Coast wasn't as catastrophic as forecasted. Tuesday also happened to be the debut of my book, "My Dad, John McCain." The day began with a book signing at the CivicFest celebration in Minneapolis. I got to see some old friends and was so happy to meet all the great people and families who turned out to get their copies signed. It was an exhilarating experience and I can't thank everyone enough for their support.

MSNBC gets worse spot than Al Jazeera (updated) September 4, 2008 at 6:53 pm by Irene Jay Liu A random observation: NBC News has possible some of the worst seats in the house, tucked away so far to the side of the Xcel Energy Center that it has a partially obstructed view of the stage. To the right of NBC is Al Jazeera, which has a slightly better view of the stage. MSNBC, which is affiliated with NBC, is widely considered to be the more liberal of the cable news networks (with Fox to the right, and CNN somewhere in...

I was watching MSNBC just now since they actually play what's happening in the convention hall. Right after the Sarah Palin introductory video that was supposed to play last night, Keith Olberman proved what an idiot he really is. Here's what he said: "Offered without comment, uh, the first, uh, two words of that, uh, that video that was intended as the introduction for Sarah Palin last night squeezed out by time considerations last night - the first two words were "mother" and "moose hunter".

Palin Said Apt To "Cut, Kill, Dig, Drill"McCain's Running Mate Has Had Frequent Run-Ins With Environmentalists, Especially In Alaska WASHINGTON, Sept. 4, 2008 (AP) At the National Governors Association conference where she first met John McCain, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin had other business: making her case to Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne against classifying the polar bear as a threatened species. Months later she sued Kempthorne, arguing that the Bush administration didn't use the best science in concluding that without further protection, the polar bear faces eventual extinction because of disappearing sea ice as the result of global warming. Palin, McCain's...

ST. PAUL -- Fox News "opinionater" Bill O'Reilly finally got his man. Barack Obama appears on his show this evening at 9 p.m. after an earlier taped one-on-one session with the self-proclaimed king of pithy comments. Here is a clip of Obama and O'Reilly going to eyeball to eyeball on tonight's show which is sure to raise a lot of eyebrows among the left and the right

When mere cheering isn't enough to let your candidate know how much you love them, or others know how much you love your country, don't panic, there are other means to get your feelings across.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WiJZnvpkZYg# Tex chats briefly with Minnesotan Congresswoman Michele Bachmann who has been a House GOP leader on energy policy and who spoke on Tuesday night at the Convention.

Couple of good graphics and some Hill-Dem reactions.

Palin’s speech was much more than an international introduction to McCain’s surprise running mate. The speech properly framed the debate of the 2008 election. Palin didn’t just launch a full scale frontal attack on the Obama-Biden ticket; she had stolen the right to frame the entire debate from the left-wing press who had been framing election debates for far too long. Yes, the Obama camp is in trouble against the McCain – Palin ticket. But so is the lamestream press who has been carrying their water up to this point. The left-wing press attack dogs started attacking Friday morning and...

Subtle cues in Palin's speech speak volumesBy Christopher CookSarah Palin is about to transform American politics. Last night's speech was unbelievably good. I've heard it said—by at least on person who was physically there for both—that it was the best convention speech since 1980. It's made even more impressive because, apparently, she delivered a good part of it from memory after the teleprompter broke. Wow. Barack Obama couldn't do that if his candidacy depended on it.Like everyone who isn't already suffused with irrational hatred of the woman, I sat enraptured by an amazingly impressive speech. And one word kept floating...

Sarah Palin delivered a great speech tonight -- for her party, for John McCain, for herself, for what she set out to accomplish. This was America's first real glimpse at the Alaska governor, and what we saw was a boffo politician who speaks in a plaintive prairie voice that channels America's Heartland like a chilling breeze rippling a field of wheat, who knows how to tell a joke, how to bring down the house and bring a tear to a few eyes. She is proud of her family, as she should be, and there is much to admire in her...

I have a yahoo homepage and the news headlines pop up when I sign in...they use AP. Except for the main headline which proclaims PERFECT POPULIST PITCH (Which is as good as you're going to get from AP)...all the headlines have been somewhat negative. The long knives are out my friends...and it's going to get worse: • Palin: U.S. sent troops to Iraq on a 'task that is from God' • Where are minorities on RNC's prime-time stage?

Halfway through Sarah Palin's speech tonight at the RNC, people following the speech noticed she was deviating from the prepared text. According to sources close to the McCain campaign, the teleprompter continued scrolling during applause breaks. As a result, half way through the speech, the speech had scrolled significantly from where Governor Palin was in the speech. The malfunction also occurred during Rudy Giuliani's speech, explaining his significant deviations from his speech. Unfazed, Governor Palin continued, from memory, to deliver her speech without the teleprompter cued to the appropriate point in her speech. Contrast this to Barack Obama who, when...

Mother of the Year

ST. PAUL, Minn. - A feisty Sarah Palin charged straight at Barack Obama last night as the virtually unknown governor of Alaska transformed herself into John McCain’s snarling campaign pit bull last night before cheering delegates and the eyes of the nation at the Republican convention. In a high-stakes speech projected to be viewed by millions, the 44-year-old vice presidential pick turned the tables on those who have mocked her inexperience and family troubles - ripping the Washington insiders and media elite. “Here’s a little news flash for all those reporters and commentators: I’m not going to Washington to seek...

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin went straight at the critics of her vice-presidential nomination, using an intensely watched national address to portray her experience as governor as sufficient, her time as a small-town mayor as an asset, and the attacks on her record as the work of an elitist media and political establishment. Speaking to a loudly enthusiastic crowd of delegates at the Republican National Convention, and to a national audience drawn into days of debate about her selection, Gov. Palin used the large stage to introduce both herself and her family. In the process, she also...

WWW.CNN.COM

At almost exactly 10 PM Eastern, my Brighthouse cable went completely black. My dad, who lives on the other side of town, called and said that he's having the same problem. I've tried calling Brighthouse and their line is constantly busy, so it must be affecting a large number of people. My dad and I, of course, smell something fishy, especially since my Internet service, which is also provided by Brighthouse on the same cable, is working just fine.

In appearance and vigor, the GOP convention in Minneapolis seems lethargic, almost depressed compared to both the lively DNC convention in Denver, and past GOP conventions. Indeed, even Dole’s 2006 convention seemed more energetic than this GOP gathering. Of course, given the concurrence of Hurricane Gustav, the convention has been intentionally low-key, but even on what should have been the first full day of raucous electioneering, the Republican Convention hall seemed sadly complacent…as one observer noted, “what a sad little convention.” The pathetic satellite address of President George W. Bush did little to change the mood. Given the campaign the...

Channel 4 in Minneapolis reported the following. 8 people arrested earlier in the week are being held on 75,000 dollars bond. Their group rnc welcoming committee had been infitrated by undercover agents. a group called "rage against the machine" is playing at the target center in Minneapolis and the police are ready for trouble. My comments: The people arrested earlier claimed the buckets of urine and human feces were being stored from a man who had no plumbing. The nail spikes and homemade slingshots were innocent items found in any garage. The size of the bond indicates the undercover cops...

Interesting item about Keith Olbermann, from FTVLive this morning: Last week we told you that Keith Olbermann was demanding better security at the Republican National Convention or he wasn't going. Word is that Olbermann was paranoid that some crazy right winger was going to assassinate him. Olbermann demanded his bosses protect him, or he and his sandbox were going to stay in New York. It looks like the suits could not get enough body amour and security guards rounded up for little Keithy. Olbermann says he is staying in New York to help cover the Hurricane Hanna. Las we looked...

Sung to the tune of "Oh! Susanna, don’t you cry for me." “Oh, no Bama, please don’t lie to me... for I’m off to Free Republic with a banjo on my knee.” I come from Minnesota with my banjo on my knee; I’m goin’ to Free Republic my true love for to see. It rained all night the day I left, the weather it was dry; The sun so hot I froze to death, Obama don’t you lie. Oh! No Bama, don’t you lie to me; I come from Minnesota, with my banjo on my knee. I had a dream...

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2008 Reform The 2008 Republican National Convention today announced the full program of events for Wednesday, Sept. 3. The evening’s program will feature remarks by Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, the Republican Party’s nominee for vice president. Among the other speakers participating in this evening’s program are former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee. The speakers’ remarks will reflect the convention’s overall theme, "Country First," and the theme for Wednesday’s events, which is "reform." Participants are organized by hour of participation: 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. * Call...

Day Three - Schedule Reform "Love of country, my friends, is another way of saying love of your fellow countrymen." --Sen. John McCain 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. U.S. Sen. Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman (Minn.) 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico Luis Fortuno Meg Whitman, former President and CEO of EBay Carly Fiorina, former Chairman and CEO of Hewlett-Packard 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. GOPAC Chairman Michael Steele Former Gov. Mitt Romney (Mass.) Former Gov. Mike Huckabee (Ark.) 9 p.m. to 10 p.m. Former Mayor Rudy Giuliani (N.Y.) Gov. Linda Lingle...

Is the RNC/McCain camp avoiding the term "conservative" at this year's convention? Will Sarah Palin use the term? Log your prediction!

Please see: http://texdozier.com/?p=65 GUESS WHAT...NO WORKING WIRELESS CONNECTION IS AVAILABLE AT THE GOP CONVENTION; SORRY FOR THE LATE UPLOAD. I GUESS TECHNOLOGY THERE IS REMINISCENT OF MCCAIN'S INTERNET SKILLS. 7:18 = Touchy feely but very nicely produced 7:20 = Former NFL player and now pastor Miles McPherson Going to speak on character but also apply to character of the nation Mayor Nagin, referring to anyone who didn’t evacuate in time said “You’re on your own”. Goes into leaning on God for help (this is starting to look like the Democratic Convention except not near as many faith caucuses) Nice prayer...

All day long, the crowd grows. It is thick with tricorn hats. A singer does a sound check of something called "The Ron Paul Song." The chorus goes "Ron! Paul! Ron! Paul!" A woman comes out and gives the invocation. She says, "Thank you, dear Heavenly Father, for Dr. Ron Paul." The crowd cheers and waits for its man..... Forget that other convention. The Republicans wouldn't let Paul speak, so Paul decided to throw his own party, called the "Rally for the Republic." He invited speakers: conservative commentator Tucker Carlson to emcee, former Minnesota governor Jesse Ventura to excite the...

Day 2 Day: TuesdayArrests: None Video Pictures Minn. GOP Delegates' Bus Tires Slashed Minnesota delegates spent their day on the second day of Republican National Convention in meetings and at a reception in their honor. The Minnesota delegates got a late start because someone slashed the tires on two of their buses. Minnesota Republican Party Chair Ron Carey said, "It's a shame that people want to deny us a chance to exercise our 1st amendment rights." Day: TuesdayTime: approx. 8:30Protesters: 4000 Video Pictures Journalist rescues pol, wife, six delegates from thugs So, we get out of the thick of the...

Didn't see this posted. He made an informative speech .....

Let's keep Sarah Palin in our prayers.

I swear the Republican POTUS conventions are always so much more uplifting than the Marxist leftist libs could ever dream of.

I hope it is OK with mods to post a thread where we can make comments on convention coverage. If not, please delete.

live coverage of convention. if anyone has a link to streaming coverage that is not hosted by marxists, i would appreciate it.

ST. PAUL - The hospitality at the Republican National Convention at the Xcel Energy Center is decidedly chilly, thanks to an air conditioning system that has reporters layering jackets to ward off the Alaskan-type temperatures inside the GOP's convention hall. "We are just getting to ready to have a hockey game just as soon as you folks leave here," said Dale, an usher wearing shorts and completely unaffected by the well below comfortable temperatures in the convention hall.

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - Republicans revamped their convention plans for a second day, dropping former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani as keynote speaker Tuesday night while trying to determine President Bush's role in the political pageantry celebrating John McCain's candidacy for president. In Giuliani's speaking slot were former Sen. Fred Thompson of Tennessee, one of McCain's rivals for the Republican nomination, and independent Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut, the Democrats' vice presidential candidate in 2000 and now a McCain supporter. Republicans say the two will talk about McCain's life and their friendship with him. Whether Bush will address delegates...

The personal attacks against me during the primary finally became so heavy that the state Republican chairman, Gaylord Parkinson, postulated what he called the Eleventh Commandment: Thou shalt not speak ill of any fellow Republican. It's a rule I followed during that campaign and have ever since.

Well, OK - so there is no news. It seems that them folks in charge of the RNC Convention website have taken the day off. Actually, they are rearranging everything so no schedules or speech texts are published at present.

Here is video of Sen. Joe Lieberman this morning explaining to CNN's John Roberts why he is speaking to the Republican National Convention tonight, and why he is voting for John McCain to be President. . . . (see video at link)

ST. PAUL, Minn. - And you thought the Clinton-Obama convention was a soap opera. Enter stage (far) right: The Sarah Palin Chronicles. John McCain’s VP choice was already the fastest-breaking curveball American politics had seen in a generation before this Reuters report: “The 17-year-old daughter of Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin is pregnant, Palin said on Monday in an announcement intended to knock down rumors by liberal bloggers that Palin faked her own pregnancy to cover up for her child.” “Faked” pregnancies. Teen sex. Government cover-ups. It’s like a bad episode of “Desperate Housewives,” except Gov. Palin is much...

Below are a few notable pics from the hippie march I infiltrated yesterday; check out the rest at http://texdozier.com/?p=64. Video recap of Day One can be found here: http://texdozier.com/?p=63. Apologies on being crunched for time and needing to get a couple of hours sleep; wasn’t able to contextually frame the story or provide information for each photo. Might do so later in the week. Best, Tex

Hi everyone. I'm a long-time lurker but after seeing the nonsense and ridiculous hatred that has been going on over the past few days, I couldn't help but post. I'm an Army veteran. I served in Iraq. I am an immigrant. My family left behind an authoritarian government for a better life. All of my life, I've been taught to fight for freedom, to fight for liberty, because in the end, that is all we really have. I've been sitting on the sidelines and watching and watching everything that has been going on. John McCain really didn't impress me greatly...

MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL — Just as the tone of the Republican National Convention has changed, so have the parties, as dozens are becoming impromptu fundraisers to help those evacuating Hurricane Gustav. Huge events hosted by Medtronic Corp., the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Hispanic Leadership Fund will now benefit the American Red Cross and other charitable groups. “Literally calls are coming in by the hour,” said Jan McDaniel, chief executive officer of the Twin Cities chapter of the Red Cross. “It’s a spending phenomenon.” The Big Easy’s music will play on tonight in the Twin Cities, but there will no...

Obama Convention throw US Flags in the Trash -------------------------------------------------------- A note from Radarsite: Almost immediately after this article posted, Radarsite was beiseiged with hits from one particular website: The Hillary Clinton Forum. Obviously, this article hit a sensitive nerve with the Dems. Our article was picked up and subsequently generated a long - two pages long, so far -- comments thread. And, to their credit, many of the commenters have indeed expressed appropriate outrage. But, as might be expected with any controversial topic such as this, some readers just dismissed it as minor and unimportant. And, just as predictably,...

Springsteen ends world tour at Harley celebrationBy CARRIE ANTLFINGER, Associated Press Writer Sun Aug 31, 9:36 AM ET MILWAUKEE - Bruce Springsteen ended his world tour over the weekend, toned down but revved up. Springsteen played more than 30 songs over 3 1/2 hours Saturday night on Milwaukee's lakefront for Harley-Davidson's 105th anniversary celebration. He made few comments between songs. Only for a few moments before "Livin' in the Future" did the rocker — who often brings his liberal-leaning political comments to the stage — stray into politics. Springsteen performed to a crowd not unlike the one that gave Republican...

Obama Rallies in Battle CreekLast Update: 9:15 pm Presidential candidate Barack Obama is campaigning in Michigan during his "Road to Change" Tour. The Obama campaign has added a stop to his swing throught Michigan. He will host a barbecue in Monroe Monday afternoon at Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 671. Tickets for the barbecue will be available at noon Sunday at the campaign's office at 17 Washington St. The visit follows a morning rally in Detroit at the end of the Motor City's Labor Day parade. Monday's Hart Plaza rally is free and open to the public, but while tickets are...

Governor Bobby Jindal held a press conference to give an update on state preparedness measures surrounding the impact of Hurricane Gustav on Louisiana. Governor Jindal said, "Hurricane Gustav is a Category 3 storm, but is only 15 miles-per-hour below Category 4 level. We will be experiencing tropical storm force winds to begin as early as late this evening. Currently, the National Hurricane Center predicts there is only a small window for intensification, which is good news, but could change track at any point. Governor Jindal said, "If the storm track remains perfectly on course as predicted by the Hurricane Center,...

(1) Gets Bush out of St. Paul, where he would have given a speech that the media and the Democrats would have pounced on, and puts him in the eye of the storm, doing the nation's business, where he will be welcomed and greeted by friendly Republican governors. (2) Puts the spotlight on those friendly Republican governors--Haley Barbour, Charlie Crist, and most of all, Bobby Jindal, (the male Sarah Palin)--who will do their jobs competently, in contrast with the mess made three years ago by the Democratic governor of Louisiana, whose performance even at the time was compared unfavorably to...

Here is video of Sen. John McCain announcing that changes will occur in the schedule of the Republican National Convention in Minneapolis, Minnesota. We know now that the opening night schedule has been canceled. McCain appears with Palin before the press in this video. . . . (see video at link)

From the New York Times (quote via email alert only). Republicans Suspend Most of Convention Activities Monday With Hurricane Gustav heading toward the Gulf Coast, Senator John McCain announced that Republican Party activities on Monday in St. Paul would be suspended except for necessary business. He called on his party members to "take off our Republican hats and put on out American hats."

Gov. Palin in Kuwait. Many GOP pros are worried about holding their star-spangled convention in Minnesota while Hurricane Gustav is bearing down on the Gulf Coast. They fear the storm will remind people of governmental ineptness following Katrina, will create horrible visuals of wealth and excess while others are fleeing from their homes, and will completely distract the nation from the hyped roll-out of McCain/Palin. As long-time readers know, I’m a marketer by trade. And in the world of image and public relations, every crisis presents a huge opportunity. We all hope and pray that the storm dies off...