Tonight we hear from vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin, who continues to get a rousing applause every time her name is mentioned on the convention floor.
Everyone expects her speech to be one of the highlights of the convention – and her political career. Her supporters and her critics will be hanging on every word, perhaps more so than the speech from John McCain, who is a known commodity.
The Rally for the Republic, hosted Tuesday by the Campaign for Liberty, brought together lovers of the Constitution and united them into a strong force operating in the name of principle. For ten hours the festivities rolled on at the Target Center in downtown Minneapolis.
The rally, held just a jog from the Xcel Center and the RNC, created some competition for the attention in Minnesota.
I followed the crowds to the Target Center. The powerful speeches concluded with Congressman and once-presidential candidate Ron Paul from Texas. A crowd of 10,000 cheered what was perhaps the best speech of his career.
I had done some networking earlier in the week and secured a ticket on row one. Though, since it was so close to the VIP zone, I could not settle with this seat.
I wanted backstage, and I got it thanks to my friend, Tim, who works for the Campaign for Liberty. He hooked me up with a press pass and I interviewed former Governor of Minnesota, Jesse...
WRAL photographer Geof Levine shows us what the Republican National Convention looks like from the platform reporters and photographers stand on.
To check out the video, click here.
Driving through the Twin Cities area can be confusing for visitors. One reason is the construction on the main interstate, Interstate 35W. The reason: the rebuilding of the I-35W Bridge that collapsed last year, killing 13 people and injuring 145. They’re making progress on rebuilding the bridge, and the NTSB is close to identifying the cause. But driving by it every day is a daily reminder of just how fragile life is. It reminds me what it was like driving by the Pentagon outside Washington after September 11.
Bob Schieffer, the chief Washington correspondent for CBS News, says Republican presidential candidate John McCain has placed a high-stakes bet on his choice of a running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.
Questions already have surfaced about how thoroughly her background was checked before McCain introduced her last Friday. Already, she has disclosed her 17-year-old, unmarried daughter is pregnant, and Alaskan lawmakers were investigating her firing of an Alaska public safety official who refused to dismiss a state trooper who had divorced Palin's sister.
Schieffer says Palin will either become a folk hero or will go down as one of the worst VP picks ever.
To hear more from Schieffer, who is covering his 21st national political convention this week in St. Paul, click here.
For the first time all week, we hear festive music coming from the convention floor.
The sullen, unsure feeling among delegates seems to be lifting, now that we know Hurricane Gustav wasn’t as bad as expected. Everyone feared we’d see another Katrina.
There is more energy in the city of St. Paul now that the holiday weekend is over. Also seems to be more media. Many of the regional and national correspondents were in the gulf for the hurricane. So, let’s see what the Republicans can do in two days.
President Bush may not make it to the Republican National Convention, but the White House has come to the Twin Cities.
John Zweifel, a 78-year-old resident of Orlando, Fla., has created an exact replica of the White House, and it is now on display at the Minneapolis Convention Center as part of an exhibit on the history of the presidency.
When I say exact replica, I mean exact – down to the fixtures and tiny Secret Service agents posted inside. Zweifel got input from every president and first lady since the Eisenhowers while building the model, which is about 100 feet long.
I grew up in the Washington area and have been to the real White House, and this model is pretty impressive.
I'll have more on Zweifel and the mini White House in a Wednesday night report.
With the cancellation of many of Monday's events and speakers, I woke up not expecting a day like it unfolded to be. I started off with a hearty breakfast at the Holiday Inn in downtown Minneapolis, where the North Carolina delegates are staying. It seems that I lucked out because I sat down by an ABC 11 reporter to my right and the youngest delegate from North Carolina to my left. I engaged in the conversation by listening and contributing. By the end of breakfast, the ABC reporter wanted to interview the young delegate as well as me. I accepted.
During my interview on camera, WRAL showed up with a camera, and we repeated a similar interview with them. Before the other North Carolina students and I left, we all received credentials for every day at the convention. Suh-weet!
The bus was a half-hour late picking us up from the hotel, but we arrived just in time at Augsburg College for a panel discussion with three former members of Congress: Reps. Mickey Edwards (R-Okla.),...
Outside the Xcel Center looks more like a fortress today than it did yesterday. The secure perimeter around the area has moved out a few blocks as we get started with this abbreviated convention schedule. It’s a lot tougher to get in and out, with long security lines the norm. However, there is security in knowing that this potentially high profile target is secure. And, if you have to wait in line, today is a beautiful day to do so, with temperatures in the low 80’s and very little humidity.
WRAL News photojournalist Geof Levine takes a look behind the scenes at the Republican National Committee where reporters work to bring you the news.
WRAL photographer Geof Levine met and interviewed Mr. Happiness – the patriotic pooch – at the Republican National Convention on Monday.
The North Carolina delegation is very upbeat today, despite Gustav's arrival on the Gulf Coast. Speaking to the delegation Monday morning, Sen. Richard Burr, co-chairman for the platform committee, stressed the presidential race is about the issues, not who gets the most TV coverage.
The delegates also love vice presidential candidate Gov. Sarah Palin. When Burr mentioned her name, they erupted into a thunderous applause (even bigger than Sen. John McCain). Her selection has really given this convention a new life.
WRAL News' Gerald Owens chatted on Monday with N.C. delegate U.S. Sen. Richard Burr at the 2008 Republican National Convention.
WRAL photographer Geof Levine gives you a rundown on what he and Gerald Owens will be bringing you on the first day of the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn.
This week is shaping up to be one to remember. Gustav has tempered the mood here. No one is quite sure what’s going to happen. Imagine, the presidential candidate skipping his own convention? With the gulf coast states pulling out there will be a void in the Xcel Center. A lot of what we planned to cover will change, but that’s that beauty of what we do. Right now, everyone is hoping for the best for the Gulf coast.
