Sunday, August 31, 2008
Local Republicans are eager to hear from the presidential and vice presidential nominees.
Now, it’s the Republicans’ turn.
The Democrats wrapped up their national convention in Denver on Thursday with the official crowning of U.S. Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois as their presidential nominee.
The Republicans start their convention Monday at St. Paul’s Xcel Energy Center culminating with the presidential nomination of U.S. Sen. John McCain of Arizona on Thursday.
Some convention delegates from the Mahoning Valley are thrilled to attend the event.
“I’m into it big-time,” said Dave Johnson of Salem, the Columbiana County Republican chairman. “I’m real excited. It’s a real defining moment in our nation’s history. These conventions are the Super Bowl of politics. I’ll enjoy being a part of it all — the plotting and planning — and I’ll be anxious to get back and kick off our local campaign.”
Johnson’s been either a delegate or alternate delegate at every Republican convention since 1988.
McCain’s decision to select little-known Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his vice presidential running mate will generate a greater amount of interest in the convention, local Republicans say.
Johnson said he “couldn’t be more pleased” with McCain’s decision to select Palin and is eager to hear from her at the convention.
“It will make our convention more exciting,” said Mark Munroe of Boardman, a delegate and the Mahoning County GOP vice chairman. “It will be fun to learn more about Governor Palin.”
It wasn’t until a few days ago that Munroe found out he was going. Mahoning Republican Chairman Clarence Smith decided not to go and asked Munroe if he was interested in attending.
What’s he looking forward to the most?
“Being inside the convention hall and hearing the speeches surrounded by other Republicans,” Munroe said.
Ronald Knight of Howland, an alternate delegate, is also eager to get to the convention. This is his first GOP convention.
“I’ve been a big fan of John McCain,” said Knight, a retired school administrator and teacher. “I’ll be pretty busy during the convention. Being on the floor will be exciting. I’ll be excited to hear McCain speak as well as President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney. It will be an exciting experience.”
Knight said he campaigned for McCain in New Hampshire in December 2007, standing on street corners with signs supporting the candidate, going door-to-door and calling residents urging them to vote for McCain in the state’s primary.
This is also LeeAnn Tucker’s first convention. The retired secretary from Howland and her husband, Bob, drove to Minnesota on Friday. They’re going to the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minn., about 15 minutes from St. Paul, and will visit relatives.
“We’re really excited to go and be part of the convention process,” said Tucker, an alternate delegate. “We’ve talked to people who’ve been to conventions before and have told us how exciting it is.”
Dawn Welch of Liberty, a delegate, said that although she’s “not really politically active,” she’s a long-time admirer of McCain.
“He’s a moderate; he’s willing to reach across the aisle and work with the Democrats,” said Welch, a student who is attending her first political convention.
Trumbull County Republican Chairman Craig Bonar of Cortland, a delegate, is attending his third GOP convention.
“I’m probably not as excited as I was at the first two,” he said. “Those were held in Philadelphia [in 2000] and New York City [in 2004.] They were bigger venues. But I’m guessing Minneapolis/St. Paul is safer than the two other cities. The anticipation isn’t there.”
Bonar said he’s eager to see fellow Republicans, particularly those he met at the two previous conventions.
Those from Ohio attending the convention are staying at the Radisson Plaza Hotel in Minneapolis, about 10 miles from the convention center in St. Paul.
Like Democrats at their party’s convention in Denver, Republicans at the Radisson — with the Marquette Hotel as a backup location should the Radisson get filled — have to pay for a minimum five-day stay. A double room at the Radisson for five days is a little more than $1,000 a person. That’s about half the price Ohio Democrats paid for a five-day room at The Curtis Hotel in Denver.
As Johnson said, “Conventions aren’t cheap.” He expects to spend about $3,000.
Munroe expects to spend less, probably about $2,000.
Bonar doesn’t have to worry about airfare. He and his wife, Wendy, are using their frequent-flyer miles for a free trip to the convention.
“We’re going first-class,” he said. “Republicans always go first-class.”
skolnick@vindy.com