NC GOP Convention Underway in Raleigh/McCrory first speaker (updated with new photos)

The NC GOP State Convention is underway in Raleigh's new Convention Center.  Arriving delegates had to contend with traffic, as all Wake County high schools were graduating today.  

Included among the Sargents-At-Arms are Sheriff Donnie Harrison of Wake County and BJ Barnes of Guilford County.

Mayor Pat McCrory of Charlotte, started the convention off by discussing how the Republican party is coming back.  He spoke of energy and how the Democrats are happy that gas prices are going up!  He said Dems are happy that the US is still dependent on nations like Venezuela and Saudi Arabia, to much applause.  He also spoke of solar power and conservation and how our current President doesn't bring these issues up.

He also spoke of how the number one responsiblity of government is to protect us and he wonders why the Democrats just don't get that.  

His third point was education from a parents' point-of-view.  He supports parental choice.  He says our President exercised his choice and he's not sending his little girls to public school.   McCrory is sad to say his sister, Linda, won't be a teacher next year.  She's very sad about it but the bureaucracy drove her out.  That same over governance is driving all the good teachers out.

Your blogger has a babysitter at home at this moment keeping our son.  She is a recent graduate of Meredith College and will begin teaching next fall.  However, your blogger wonders just how long our young friend will remain in that profession.  

McCrory said that we need to change the culture of government and get rid of the secret meetings.  He also joked but said it was a true story:  his wife couldn't get a job at UNC-Charlotte, unlike Easley's wife.  Perhaps if he'd been governor, she could have.  (Not that she would have it, or that he would stoop to have pulled such strings).  He urged our current governor to keep her ego on the ground and her ethics in her heart.

He also spoke about the chairman's race.  He urged no more negativity and unity as soon as the election is over.  

McCrory also discussed a lesson we have learned from the "other party".  He said "we gotta raise some money".  

"We cannot win this next election if we just sit in this room and talk to each other.  We have to contribute to the Party and to the candidates of our choice."

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