Katy's Conservative Corner

NC 2008 Convention Update by David Lewis

I am excited and honored to be among the 137 Delegates and Alternates representing North Carolina at the Republican National Convention.

I arrived in Minneapolis on Friday, August 30th and have been attending various meetings since then.

Minneapolis and St. Paul are both beautiful cities.  Both seem to effortless blend beautiful historic buildings with modern high rises.  I have been really impressed. 

Something that I have never seen before is that, in downtown Minneapolis, each building is connected on the 2nd floor skywalk.  The skywalk is there because during the winter, this is the coldest city in America.  There are many days when the wind chill factor is -25 degrees below zero.  It is really interesting to see that the older buildings have older sky walks and the new buildings have newer sky walks.  I have just never seen such an intricate system of pedestrian traffic.

The Convention itself began in a very muted fashion as all of us held our breath and said our prayers for our neighbors along the Gulf Coast.  Now, as hurricanes seem to be bearing down on our on coast, I understand even more the feeling of helplessness that all the folks along the Gulf had to be feeling.

One of the more impressive events prepared for us is called “Civic Fest” and is held in downtown Minneapolis.  This event offers many interesting displays and I learned quite a lot of history in the four hours I spent there. 

Some of the more noteworthy displays include a collection of US flags dating back to the 1700’s.  While I knew that the US flag had different “numbers” of stars on the flags-I never knew we actually had different designs for the stars.  For example, when West Virginia succeeded from Virginia during the Civil War, Congress added their star much larger and in the center of the blue background.  In fact, it was only in the early 1900’s that our current flag designed was standardized by Congress.

KCC To Be Guest on WTXY Friday at 3:10 P.M.

Your blogger will join host Robby Kendall on WTXY 1540 AM on Friday afternoon at 3:10 P.M. 

The discussion will center upon the 2008 GOP Convention, electing local candidates to office, and why conservatives (both Democratic and Republicans) are vital to this election.

If you don't live in Columbus County or the Whiteville area, listen online at www.wtxy1540.com

KCC would be honored if you listened in.

Day 3 - Republican National Convention by Valerie White

WOW!  What a historical day for Republican Women!!  I could hear North Carolina Federation of Republican Women (NCFRW) members cheering all the way to St. Paul.

The North Carolina Delegation began their day with a lunch at The Lafayette Club at Lake Minnetonka.  It was a beautiful day and a wonderful treat for everyone.  After returning there was a brief break before it was time to load buses to the Excel Center for the evening session.

Once I arrived, I went through the Fox Experience which allows you to tour the large Fox News Center where they are reporting from outside the Excel Center.  Moving on inside the Excel Center, there were numerous reporters prepared to do interviews.  My most interesting interview was my fashion interview where I had to describe my sequined vest and North Carolina bag.  At another interview I was asked if Republicans were moving back to the right on issues.  My answer was that we have always been on the right but now we are becoming more vocal and less apologetic.

Senator Bob Dole was in attendance on the convention floor and getting a lot of attention.

You could feel the excitement in the Covention Hall and the anticipation of hearing from Governor Sarah Palin.  The theme was 'Country First - Prosperity'.  We heard from several speakers who told their stories of success in America and what we need to do in our country to continue to grow our economy.   I am not sure if the Honorable Michael Steele's speech was televised but he was dynamic and his best line was 'Drill Baby Drill'.

By the time Governor Palin took the stage, the Convention was highly energized from hearing Governor Mike Huckabee, Governor Mitt Romney and Mayor Rudy Giuliani.  I am sure everyone saw Palin's speech.  Wow!

The crowd cheered 'Sarah - Sarah' over and over again.  When she referred to the liberal media the convention floor turned around to the liberal media networks to boo and then began to chant 'Shame on You'.  She was terrific and we are so proud of her!

The role call was done after speeches ended and Senator Burr cast our delegations' votes for Noth Carolina - home of our next Governor Pat McCrory and Senator Elizabeth Dole.  It was an exciting evening!
 

The Tuesday edition of the Washington Post has a picture that includes the majority of the NC delegates on the floor.  I understand you can see it online.

I know many of you are planning Convention watch parties tonight!  I will be a historical night for us all!

Valerie White

NCFRW President

Editor's Note: Check out this Under the Dome post, Tarheels at the Convention.

Speaking of Convention of Convention Watch Parties, your blogger will be attending the one Sponsored by the 13th GOP Congressional District and the Wake GOP, to be held at Raleighwood Cinema. 

For more info, check out www.wakegop.org or check with you local GOP website to attend the watch party nearest you!!

New Podium Assembled for John McCain’s Acceptance Speech

SAINT PAUL, Minn. - Today, the 2008 Republican National Convention unveiled the podium from which John McCain will accept the Republican Party’s nomination to be the next president of the United States.

The podium used for the first three nights of the convention was modified to enable John McCain to deliver his acceptance speech from the center of the Xcel Energy Center. The new podium is a reflection of the town-hall style that has been a hallmark of McCain’s campaign. In the new forum, he will be surrounded by the delegates that nominated him the night before.

The new podium was constructed by removing the front corner sections of the existing platform and extending its midsection by 30 feet. The extension will be eight feet wide. Near the conclusion of tonight’s program, Sen. McCain will address the convention from a lectern positioned near the end of this newly-constructed extension. To accommodate the modified platform, delegates from the state of Ohio will be re-seated on either side.

"The extended podium will serve as a fitting complement to John McCain’s preference for direct interaction with his fellow citizens," said Maria Cino, president and CEO of the 2008 Republican National Convention. "We look forward to a tremendous speech by America’s next president, and a successful conclusion to this year’s convention."

For the first three days of the convention, speakers and program participants appeared on a black hard laminate stage measuring 51.5 feet wide by 34 feet deep. The stage is bordered by 101.5 feet of recessed lighting and backed by an impressive video wall that gives everyone in the convention hall a perfect view of the proceedings.

Sarah Palin is the Right Thing by Carl Mumpower

  For conservative Republicans, John McCain's pick of Sarah Palin as his running mate is the political equivalent of punching a jet into afterburner.  This value driven dynamo brings the right things at the right time and the evidence points to a rare and authentic conservative who walks her talk.  Alaska's gift to America is a principle driven package of hope and competency that is stunning the left as surely as she is uplifting the rest of us.

It took fifteen minutes for the Democrat spin machine to go into attack mode.  Certainly we were all astounded to find that Governor Palin had given birth to a child that was actually her daughter's.  Faking the pregnancy and hospital delivery was a neat trick.  We should be grateful that the bloggers and spinners stepped around the 9th Commandment in their passionate search for the truth. 

Then there is the accurate claim that Governor Palin lacks foreign policy experience.  Thank goodness.  Anyone who is an active participant in America's foreign entanglements should be immediately suspected.  If you are keeping up with how well our experienced leaders are doing with foreign policy, please bring the rest of us up to speed.  We have plenty of political talent steeped in the pathology of the UN, NATO, dysfunctional trade agreements, porous borders, our international welfare program, and other insanities, but little evidence that America comes out on the right side of all this sophisticated experience.  We should all do our best to retain Sarah's focus on something for which she has demonstrated skills - running America.  We should be grateful she has not been corrupted by involvement in something for which no one has the demonstrated skills - running a crazy world.

As a personal trigger, nothing about Governor Sarah Palin resonates more strongly than her dedication to core conservative principles.  In a world of shouting special interests, from the right as surely as from the left, I know how hard it is to keep faith with that mission.  How you do it and have five kids is beyond me, but certainly somewhere in the mix must be an extra measure of courage, character, and commitment filtered through God's graces.   That sounds like leadership material several notches beyond the skill set of your average new age community organizer.

This lady has an approval rating in Alaska of 80%.  Compare that to the -20% the country holds for Congress.   She was a Mayor for 10 years and has had the courage to tangle with a Republican leadership structure that had surrendered to the corruptions of power over principle.  I admire people who know the real fight is in preserving the integrity of your own party, not wasting time trying to undermine the other party.  The Bible tells us to embrace God versus waste time wrestling with the devil - that guidance also applies to political parties.  Sarah gets it.

It really is tougher in Alaska, and being in tough makes you tough - tough enough to be a classy lady, hold to your values, and lay a loving touch on your world with smile intact.   Like many of you, that combination woke me up this morning with a smile on my face.  Reading about Sarah and watching her at the convention night completed an equation of hope that has been too long out of reach for conservatives. 

In a scary world, people are naturally more conservative, but politicians willing to embrace the mission of upholding those values are few and far between.  John McCain became our Presidential contender when he put principles before politics and picked a woman of character, substance, and values to be his running mate.  Sarah is the right thing.  Her credentials have been affirmed by the misery coming from the left thing.

Carl Mumpower
11th District Republican Congressional Candidate
North Carolina

 

Principles first - always.

Gov. Sarah Palin's Speech Full Text - Updated

SAINT PAUL, Minn. - This evening Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, the Republican Party’s vice presidential nominee, addressed the 2008 Republican National Convention. Excerpts from the governor’s remarks, as prepared for delivery, are below.

Click at the bottom of this post to see the full text of Gov Palin's speech!!!!

On her experience as a public servant:

"I had the privilege of living most of my life in a small town. I was just your average hockey mom, and signed up for the PTA because I wanted to make my kids’ public education better. When I ran for city council, I didn’t need focus groups and voter profiles because I knew those voters, and knew their families, too. Before I became governor of the great state of Alaska, I was mayor of my hometown. And since our opponents in this presidential election seem to look down on that experience, let me explain to them what the job involves. I guess a small-town mayor is sort of like a ‘community organizer,’ except that you have actual responsibilities."

On why she is going to Washington, D.C.:

"I’m not a member of the permanent political establishment. And I’ve learned quickly, these past few days, that if you’re not a member in good standing of the Washington elite, then some in the media consider a candidate unqualified for that reason alone. But here’s a little news flash for all those reporters and commentators: I’m not going to Washington to seek their good opinion - I’m going to Washington to serve the people of this country."

On energy policies that the McCain-Palin administration will implement:

"Our opponents say, again and again, that drilling will not solve all of America’s energy problems - as if we all didn’t know that already. But the fact that drilling won’t solve every problem is no excuse to do nothing at all. Starting in January, in a McCain-Palin administration, we’re going to lay more pipelines...build more nuclear plants...create jobs with clean coal...and move forward on solar, wind, geothermal, and other alternative sources. We need American energy resources, brought to you by American ingenuity, and produced by American workers."

On John McCain:

"Here’s how I look at the choice Americans face in this election. In politics, there are some candidates who use change to promote their careers. And then there are those, like John McCain, who use their careers to promote change."

Editor's Note:

Check out this must read-

Sarah Palin and the Two Americas
By Thomas Lifson
The American Thinker
September 3, 2008

She has the rarest of qualities: authenticity. Media and Beltway types can't fathom what that is. It goes right over their heads. Not even on the radar screen. Her multiple facets -- beauty queen, moose hunter, mother, member of an Assembly of God Church, and ferocious reformer of corrupt politics may baffle sophisticates, but ordinary Americans see all the pieces fitting together, and they recognize a type of person they know and love.

Rudy's remarks to the Convention

Click on the link below to enjoy the full text of RUDY GIULIANI's speech to the 2008 Republican National Convention.  KCC thanks "America's Mayor" for these inspiring remarks!

Huck's Wednesday Night's Speech to the GOP Convention

Here is the full text of former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee's speech to the 2008 National Republican Convention.  Click on the link below.

Mitt Romney's Speech Wednesday night to the 2008 GOP Natl Convention

Please see the full text of Mitt Romney's Speech given Wednesday eveing, at the National Republican Convention. A former Presidential candidate, Gov. Romney long ago put his full support behind our Republican nominee.  Click on the link below.

GOPAC Chairman's Michael's Steele's Speech Wed night at GOP 2008 Convention

Click on the link below to read the full text of Michael Steele's Speech.  Enjoy!

A self-described Lincoln Republican. Michael S. Steele earned a place in history in 2003 when he became the first African-American elected to statewide office in Maryland. His experiences as a successful elected conservative Republican African-American and his engaging speaking style have launched Steele into national prominence. His first major exposure was during an appearance at the 2004 Republican National Convention. Since then President George W. Bush chose Steele to be part of the U.S. delegation to the investiture of Pope Benedict XVI, and Steele has been an entertaining and articulate guest on cable political talk shows such as HBO’s Real Time with Bill Maher and Comedy Central’s The Colbert Report.

An expert on political strategy, fund-raising, PACs, and election reform, he is the current Chairman of GOPAC.

Brad Miller Backs Group Smearing Palin Family

Following the pick of Governor Sarah Palin to be Senator McCain's Vice President, the Democrats and the far left immediately began an ugly smear campaign focused upon the children of Gov. Palin.  The leftist liberal blog, The DailyKos, ran stories that claimed Trig Palin, the infant child of Gov. Palin, was actually the son of her seventeen year old daughter, Bristol Palin.

These despicable and deplorable smears against her family, despite being biologically impossible, caused the McCain/Palin campaign to disclose that Bristol Palin is five months pregnant and is marrying the father of the unborn child who she plans to bring to term. 

Former state Senator Hugh Webster finds it admirable that Governor Palin brought a daughter to term knowing that the child would be born with Down syndrome and that Bristol Palin is choosing to bring her child to term despite the hardships she will face as a teenage mother.

Representative Brad Miller is an active blogger and supporter of the DailyKos.  Miller even appeared on the speakers line up for their convention known as "Netroots Nation" this past August in Pittsburg, PA. 

A sponsor of this convention was Moveon.org, the organization that ran a full-page ad asking if it was "General David Patraeus or General Betray Us?"  This group that questioned the patriotism of General Patraeus held an event at Brad Miller's Greensboro, NC office on August 19.

If these groups, supported by Miller, are willing to accuse the Commanding General on the ground in Iraq of betraying the American people and humiliate a seventeen year old girl on an international stage, what is off limits to them?  In the remaining weeks leading up to the election, we expect these kinds of attacks to come from the Miller campaign and these extreme organizations against Senator Hugh Webster.

Miller, The DailyKos, and Moveon.org know that they are on the wrong side of the issues and must turn to the politics of personal destruction to advance their cause rather than the issues. 

We ask that the citizens of the North Carolina 13th Congressional District join with Senator Webster in rejecting this kind of campaigning.

US Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn) Made Remarks to the Convention

United States Senator Joseph Lieberman (I-Connecticut) and a former Vice Presidential candidate on the Democratic ticket made some wonderful remarks to the convention delegates on why he support John McCain. 

He told them that his Democratic friends know all about John McCain's record of independence and accomplishment. This clear attempt reach out across  party lines resulted in a fantastic speech, the text of which is presented below.  Read on!

Line of the speech: "If John McCain is just another partisan Republican, then I am Michael Moore's favorite Democrat, (which I am not)!"

Fred Thompson's Remarks to the Convention

Former Tennesssee Senator, Fred Thompson, spoke tonight at the Convention hall, the Excel Center.

Excerpts are below:

On John McCain's qualifications to be president:

"This is the kind of character that civilizations from the beginning of history have sought in their leaders. Strength. Courage. Humility. Wisdom. Duty. Honor. It's pretty clear there are two questions we will never have to ask ourselves, 'Who is this man?' and 'Can we trust this man with the presidency?'"

On John McCain's dedication to doing what is right – not what is popular:

"He has been to Iraq eight times since 2003. He went seeking truth, not publicity. When he travels abroad, he prefers quietly speaking to the troops amidst the heat and hardship of their daily lives. And the same character that marked John McCain's military career has also marked his political career. This man, John McCain, is not intimidated by what the polls say or by what is politically safe or popular."

On John McCain's commitment to taking real action to reform Washington:

"But while others were talking reform, John McCain led the effort to make reform happen – always pressing, always moving for what he believed was right and necessary to restore the people's faith in their government. Confronting when necessary, reaching across the aisle when possible, John personified why we came to Washington in the first place."

On John McCain's ability to restore integrity to our government:

"My role is to help remind you of the man behind the vision. Because tonight our country is calling to all of us to step up, stand up, and put 'Country First' with John McCain. Tonight we are being called upon to do what is right for our country."

Click below to read his entire speech.

North Carolinians at the National Convention

North Carolina National Committeeman, State Rep. David Lewis, shared the following photos with Katy's Conservative Corner:

(Includes NC GOP Chairman Linda Daves, Executive Director Chris McClure, and unidentified.)

(Rep. David Lewis.  KCC thanks him for these photos.)

(The North Carolina Delegation)

(Senator Burr at the podium.)

If you have 2008 GOP National Convention photos to share, please send them here.

View the GOP Convention LIVE online at Katy's Conservative Corner!

Here it is - No commercials, No talking heads. Just the convention as the delegates in the hall see it.

Free video streaming by Ustream

Best Viewed in Internet Explorer

Tuesday's Prime Time Program at the GOP Convention

Here is the lineup for tonight's Primetime schedule, though not necessarily in this order:

President George W. Bush (via satellite)

First Lady Laura Bush

U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman (Conn.)

Former U.S. Sen. Fred Thompson (Tenn.)

U.S. House Republican Leader John Boehner (Ohio)

U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman (Minn.)

U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann (Minn.)

Robert M. "Mike" Duncan, Chairman of the Republican National Committee

Jo Ann Davidson, Co-Chairman of the Republican National Committee and Chairman of the 2008 Republican National Convention Committee on Arrangements

Monday's Remarks With Cindy McCain and Laura Bush (Video)

In case you missed it:

Excerpts: Remarks by U.S. Senator Joe Lieberman

SAINT PAUL, Minn. - This evening U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman (ID-Conn.) will address the 2008 Republican National Convention. Sen. Lieberman will expand on the convention’s overall theme, "Country First," and the theme for today’s program, which is "service," as he discusses John McCain’s commitment to working across party lines and ability to break the partisan divide in Washington.

Excerpts from Senator Lieberman’s remarks are below.

On why he supports John McCain to be our next president:

"And that brings me directly to why I am here tonight. What, after all, is a Democrat like me doing at a Republican convention like this? The answer is simple. I’m here to support John McCain because country matters more than party. I'm here tonight because John McCain is the best choice to bring our country together and lead our country forward. I’m here because John McCain’s whole life testifies to a great truth: being a Democrat or a Republican is important. But it is not more important than being an American."

On John McCain’s dedication to putting country before politics or self-interest:

"John understands that it shouldn’t take a natural disaster like Hurricane Gustav to get us to take off our partisan blinders and work together to get things done. It shouldn’t take a natural disaster to teach us that the American people don’t care much if you have an "R" or a "D" after your name. What they care about is: are we solving the problems they are up against every day?

"What you can expect from John McCain as President is precisely what he has done this week: which is to put country first. That is the code by which he has lived his entire life, and that is the code he will carry with him into the White House. I have personally seen John over and over again bring people together from both parties to tackle our toughest problems we face."

On John McCain’s commitment to victory in Iraq:

"Especially at a time of war, we need a president we can count on to fight for what’s right for our country - not only when it is easy, but when it is hard. When others were silent, John McCain had the judgment to sound the alarm about the mistakes we were making in Iraq. When others wanted to retreat in defeat from the field of battle, when Barack Obama was voting to cut off funding for our troops on the ground, John McCain had the courage to stand against the tide of public opinion and support the surge and because of that, today, our troops are at last beginning to come home, not in failure, but in honor!"

Monday Night Convention Update by Valerie White

 

The following report was filed by Valerie White, State Chairman of the North Carolina Federation of Republican, of which your blogger is a member:

Greetings from Minneapolis!

Even though the evening session of the Convention's opening night was cancelled due to the arrival of Hurricane Gustav, it looks like we are back on schedule today.  The Monday afternoon session consisted of electing Covention Officers, approving Convention Rules, and approving the Party Platform. 

  North Carolina Senator Richard Burr (left) served as Co-Chair of the Platform Committee and had a speaking role in yesterday's session.  He received cheering recognition from the North Carolina Delegation.

I served, along with Representative David Lewis, on the National Committee of Permanent Organization, and our role was to approve the slate of Convention Officers that was presented to the Convention.

After that business was concluded, the convention was honored to hear from First Lady Laura Bush.  She received a rousing reception.  Her announcement was regarding the charities that were in place for each of the states that had been impacted by Hurricane Gustav.  We watched taped messages from the Governors of Mississippi, Florida, Texas and Alabama, only missing Governor Jindal of Louisana for obvious reasons. 

Then the convention had the honor of hearing from our next First Lady - Cindy McCain.  It was exciting to see two great ladies on the stage together!!

The RNC asked the entire Convention to Text on their phones to TEXT 2HELP (448324357) and make a donation.  Please pick up your phones and do the same today!

Bob Crumley (left) will host a reception this afternoon at Loto Cafe.   NC Delegation pictures will be taken and the Convention begins at 6. It should be a great evening and I am looking forward to it! 

Sincerely,
Valerie White
NCFRW President

Palin brings in the funds

According to blogger Patrick Ruffini, John McCain's campaign raised $4.5 million online in the 24 hours after the Palin pick was announced!

No wonder the Dems are running scared and creating a false smear campaign against the Alaskain governor.