Convention Blog

McCain Will Stress Change Tonight

Fri, 05 Sep 2008 01:00:37 GMT

Having just gotten excerpts from John McCain's speech, there is something I just don't get. How is it that a man who has been a member of Congress for 28 years can craft the final sixty one days of his candidacy around running against Washington?

Here is one line from the speech: "I'm very proud to have introduced our next Vice President to the country. But I can't wait until I introduce her to Washington. And let me offer an advance warning to the old, big-spending do-nothing, me-first, country-second Washington crowd: change is coming."

Posted by: Esme Murphy, WCCO-TV reporter

McCains Practicing

Thu, 04 Sep 2008 20:55:15 GMT

I got timing. I just happened to see the McCains practicing for tonight's speech as I was getting ready to leave the Xcel.

See more here.

Posted by: Eric Henderson, web producer, WCCO.COM

If You Want Something -- Just Say Please

Thu, 04 Sep 2008 17:30:48 GMT

Did you catch those two women in pink dresses who tried to disrupt Sarah Palin's speech last night? Turns out they got in by asking nicely. The women told our Esme Murphy a few moments ago that they first "dressed like Republicans." Not sure what that means -- but it worked. Then they just kept asking people outside the Xcel Center last night if they had any extra guest passes. Turns out somebody did -- and suddenly two anti-war protestors had changed into their pink dresses and were on the floor of the Republican National Convention just steps away from the podium.

They didn't last long once they started to make a ruckus. You can watch them being dragged up the steps by clicking here. . Nice work by photojournalist Brad Earley who was in position to catch that. The two women told Esme today that they thought about rushing the stage but then decided that might go a little too far.

Posted by: John Daenzer, director of new media, WCCO.COM

New Palin Rumors Swirl

Wed, 03 Sep 2008 23:12:55 GMT

Just hours before her speech at the Xcel new rumors about Governor Sarah Palin are exploding and prompting a firm denial from the McCain campaign. The McCain campaign has issued this statement about an upcoming National Enquirer article. McCain senior adviser Steve Schmidt said,
“The smearing of the Palin family must end. The allegations contained on the cover of the National Enquirer insinuating that Gov. Palin had an extramarital affair are categorically false. It is a vicious lie.”

Mainstream media organizations here are struggling with this one. There is the statement from the campaign. But the news is coming from The Enquirer. These same mainstream media outlets are still smarting from accusations of bias for not following up on The Enquirer's reporting of John Edward's affair.

Stay tuned.

Posted by: Esme Murphy, WCCO-TV reporter

Overheard At Republican Breakfast

Wed, 03 Sep 2008 19:41:42 GMT

Tardy P.S. to an earlier blog post regarding this morning's Minnesota delegate breakfast ...

While packing up to leave, I overheard a Republican source mention that Gov. Sarah Palin may not be staying away from Minnesota for long. I was told that she's expected back on September 22nd.

Posted by: Esme Murphy, WCCO-TV reporter

VP Also-Rans Address Minn. Delegates

Wed, 03 Sep 2008 17:46:14 GMT

John McCain's running mate Sarah Palin will step in front of the amassed delegates Wednesday night at the X, but a few of the names most of the country is still more familiar with stopped by a breakfast conference for Minnesota delegates Wednesday morning.

Ron Carey, Chairman of the Republican Party of Minnesota, served as emcee.

The star attraction for most Minnesota delegates had to have been Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who has been laying fairly low since McCain announced Palin as his pick less than a week ago. (Still less than a week ago?! Man, how time does crawl during convention season.)

Pawlenty had his hat of diplomacy on at the conference, offering words of support for both McCain and Palin. He said he thought he was in the running until only a few hours before Palin was announced as McCain's pick. His wife Mary Pawlenty was by his side as he spoke to delegates, and she remained there as he talked with reporters afterwards.

Tim Pawlenty joked that his wife had revised his "honey, do" list, and that he had been neglecting it while on the campaign trail.

But Pawlenty wasn't the only potential-but-passed-over VP candidate at the breakfast. Gov. Mitt Romney also stopped by with members of his family in tow.

He brought them up to the podium while speaking, joking that their presence would keep him from going on too long.

Romney was also in active campaign mode, suggesting to the Minnesota delegates that Palin was exactly the sort of woman they should identify with. He elaborated, to reporters, that his reason for saying so was that she cooks "moose soup." Odds that Mickey's Diner is hastening to add Palin's recipe to their lunch menu: not so good.

Minnesota delegates listen to Mitt Romney

Additionally, Tom Ridge came in for a few words. He wondered aloud whether Penn was scheduled to play the Gophers this season and proposed that, whether they do or don't, the two states work to achieve a double victory by voting McCain into the White House.

I didn't have a stopwatch out, but my impression was that all three candidates spent as much if not more time as boosters for Palin as they were for McCain. Seemingly running in third to those two initiatives were dismantling Barack Obama's Thursday-night speech. (Another speaker said he was trying to keep a running tally of what Obama's proposals would cost and said he stopped counting at roughly $800 billion.)

Posted by: Eric Henderson, web producer, WCCO.COM

Another Sighting At Xcel

Tue, 02 Sep 2008 20:58:34 GMT

I've been at the Xcel Energy Center for a change of pace today. So too, coincidentally, was Rudy Giuliani. He was talking with FOX News when I snapped this pic.

I also caught Pat Kessler's interview with Bob Schieffer. Here's an excerpt.

After spending much of the last couple hours inside the Xcel as they prepare for a slightly-more-unexpurgated convention session, it's time to hit the streets again.

Posted by: Eric Henderson, web producer, WCCO.COM

Seen In St. Paul

Tue, 02 Sep 2008 20:01:21 GMT

Caught a glimpse of Karl Rove walking by Rice Park on his way toward the River Center and Xcel Energy Center. He walked by a crowd of people nearby holding Ron Paul signs. A number of other college-aged people hovering nearby the checkpoint into River Center offered choice catcalls.

Rove was chief strategist for President George W. Bush in the 2000 campaign, and was subsequently appointed as Senior Advisor in the Bush Administration. Rove resigned from the White House in August 2007.

Posted by: Eric Henderson, web producer, WCCO.COM

Free CivicFest And More

Tue, 02 Sep 2008 18:02:09 GMT

The Minneapolis St. Paul Host Committee just announced that they're waiving the admission for CivicFest for the rest of the exhibit's stay in the Twin Cities. The committee said it hopes people donate the original cost of admission to Hurricane Gustav relief.

For the record -- admission before was $15 for adults and $10 for children.

Here's a slideshow of some of what you will see there.

Also, we're getting late word that John McCain has canceled his rally that was scheduled for Wednesday morning in Peavey Plaza.

Posted by: Toby Collodora, executive editor, WCCO.COM

Downtime At The RNC

Tue, 02 Sep 2008 15:35:56 GMT

With a little downtime yesterday at the RNC I snapped some pictures.

Pat Kessler and Michael Brodkorb, who is a Minnesota delegate and the author of the must-read blog for Minnesota Republicans, Minnesota Democrats Exposed.

Pat Kessler and my vote for the best dressed delegates -- Florida wins hands down. They were all wearing these identical shirts that the toll booth workers wear. They have scenes from all over the state.

And finally Ron Carey, Chair of the Minnesota Republican Party, stopped by the WCCO booth to chat.

Posted by: Esme Murphy, reporter, WCCO-TV