REPUBLICAN CONVENTION 2008

Republican Convention Wrap up and final report:

"Tonight, I have the privilege given to few Americans--the privilege of accepting our party's nomination for president of the United States. And I accept it with gratitude, humility and confidence....." Senator McCain's introductory words.

When Senator McCain came on the floor at Xcel Center we were prepared to support our candidate. The introduction by Cindy McCain was all we needed to whoop and yell at the top of our voices as Senator McCain confidently came out on the changed stage. He waived his acknowledgement and gave his familiar thumbs up to the crowd.  The excitement was mounting and as he strode to his place at the newly installed podium it was apparent he was prepared for the task at hand.

He spoke of his admiration for his VP choice, which literally brought down the house. We all still had a vivid memory of the Thursday evening speech by Governor Sarah Palin. But the rest of his speech was all McCain. Saying that ideas should not be rejected just because we didn't think of them first, McCain began his approach of his idea of what his Presidency would look like. "We are going to get started getting things done for the people", he said, "I won't care who gets the credit".

Speaking of his history of working with members of both parties to fix problems he gave the impression of how he would govern as President. Little mention was made of Senator Obama in his comments. Certainly, Governor Palin had taken care of that the previous night with her blistering speech.

"I'm not in the habit of breaking promises to my country and neither is Governor Palin. And when we tell you we're going to change Washington, and stop leaving our country's problems for some unluckier generation to fix, you can count on it." And so, continued the theme of Senator McCain's speech. "Keeping taxes low and cutting them when I can" he stated. "Plans to open new markets for American products and services and cutting government spending" were more of his continued words. In all, the Delegations heard music to their ears.

Time and time again he was interrupted as his words resonated well with the gathered Republicans. As he continued he became more and more energized by the applause. His words became more adamant and his comments more pointed. "I am running for president to keep the country I love safe, and prevent other families from risking their loved ones in war as my family has", was received with thunderous applause. "We need to change the way government does almost everything: from the way we protect our security to the way we compete in the world economy", he stated.

The key of his comments were that change was coming and he and Sarah were going to Washington to make those changes. Finally he concluded to the thrilled, energized audience, full of support of their candidate, "Fight with me. Stand up, stand up and fight. Nothing is inevitable here. We're Americans, and we never give up.  We never quit. We never hide from history. We make history..."

It was beyond words to speak of the excitement of the moment. We were ready to follow him anywhere he asked. The troops were ready for battle and we looked at each other, big smiles on our faces and beaming with pride.  That's OUR candidate.  Then, as if that was not enough to get us charged up, out walked Governor Sarah Palin, Cindy McCain and all their families.  The thunderous applause continued and continued, reaching the heights of the auditorium and shaking the roof.  

Right on clue, as if loosened by the loud noise reaching the roof, the balloons and confetti came pouring down from the rafters. First in little bits and pieces then in billows as if loosed by a magic hand.  There were huge balloons, small ones, red, white and blue came flooding down on us. Soon we were up to our knees in balloons barely able to move! People were popping some and making even more noise which sounded like fireworks there were so many.  Yet, even with the deafening roar, a little baby in her mother's arms slept peacefully in the row in front of us as if to say, "What's the big deal? I need my sleep."  Finally the baby woke up looking up into the ceiling with her mouth open as she saw thousands more balloons fall down on us. 

We were happy! We were thrilled!  It seemed that it was ending too soon. Still, we were ready, ready to begin the ground game, get out the messages we heard over the last few days, and make sure we get out the vote for Senator John McCain and Governor Sarah Palin. On to victory on November 4^th! 

It has been great sharing our time at the Republican Convention with you. We have lived the moments together.

Bob Pacheco

My thanks to Gayle Pacheco, for helping me share all the moments with you.