RNC

A tight squeeze

I'm on the arena floor right now, standing right in front of the podium and behind the Pennsylvania delegation. We're standing elbow to elbow, leaving me barely enough room to type this post on my BlackBerry. John McCain just walked onto the extended stage to a roaring standing ovation from this capacity crowd inside the Xcel Energy Center here in downtown St. Paul. Vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin and her family, McCain's wife, Cindy, and his mother, Roberta, are seated right behind where I'm standing. Cindy McCain and former Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge addressed the delegates earlier, helping to build the level of excitement inside the crowded arena.

Eyes on Palin's eyes

Elton John may soon find himself taking a backseat to Sarah Palin when it comes to designer eyewear. John McCain's running mate is a woman with seemingly no shortage of fashionable eyeglasses. An official with the company that distributes the pair Palin wears most often told USA Today the Alaska governor's new-found fame is already having an impact on business.

"We keep getting calls from dealers who want to stock the exact shape and style that she's wearing," says Amy Hahn, vice president at Italee.

The Palin frame -- minus the lenses -- starts at a suggested $375.

Pain in the neck

Who knew covering political conventions could be such a pain in the neck... literally? After nearly two weeks of having credentials hanging around our necks almost 'round the clock, it will be nice for a break. It wasn't so bad at the Democratic convention in Denver last week. The one credential we had was good for the whole week. Still, we had to add to it our station ID and our credential for access to the CNN Grill. And try to keep them all untangled. Here in St. Paul, the Republicans assign us a different credential for each of the four days, plus a fifth one for post-convention clean-up. And it's not just the media who must wear them. Everyone from the cleaning crew and Secret Service agents to members of Congress are assigned one kind of credential or another that allows them certain access around the complex.

McCain: Change is coming

The Republican National Committee has just released excerpts of the acceptance speech to be given by presidential candidate John McCain here at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul later tonight:

On running mate Alaska Governor Sarah Palin:

"I'm very proud to have introduced our next Vice President to the country. But I can't wait until I introduce her to Washington. And let me offer an advance warning to the old, big spending, do nothing, me first, country second Washington crowd: change is coming."

On solving problems in Washington:

"The constant partisan rancor that stops us from solving these problems isn't a cause, it's a symptom. It's what happens when people go to Washington to work for themselves and not you.

Again and again, I've worked with members of both parties to fix problems that need to be fixed. That’s how I will govern as President. I will reach out my hand to anyone to help me get this country moving again. I have that record and the scars to prove it. Senator Obama does not."

On love of country:

"I fell in love with my country when I was a prisoner in someone else's. I loved it not just for the many comforts of life here. I loved it for its decency; for its faith in the wisdom, justice and goodness of its people. I loved it because it was not just a place, but an idea, a cause worth fighting for. I was never the same again. I wasn't my own man anymore. I was my country's."

Dent a no-show at RNC

There's been one noticeable absence among the Pennsylvania delegates here at the Republican National Convention this week. Congressman Charlie Dent of the Lehigh Valley isn't here. He told us he's simply too busy and passed on coming to St. Paul for a number of reasons, including some prior commitments, the start of school for his children, and his re-election campaign. As a member of Congress, Dent is one of Pennsylvania's superdelegates.

What will Ridge say?

The Republican National Committee just released some excerpts of the speech former Pennsylvania Governor and U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge will give to introduce John McCain here in St. Paul tonight. Ridge will expand on the convention's overall theme, "Country First."

On his friend, John McCain:

"I speak to you about a warrior who has sometimes stood alone ... and always shown the way ... in fighting for the most vulnerable of our citizens, for the country he so dearly loves and for the founding principles we all so deeply cherish."

On John McCain as a leader:

"Where some people see adversity, John McCain accepts a challenge. Where some people see a crisis, John McCain creates an opportunity. Where some people see defeat, John McCain insists on victory. John knows - the purpose of elections is not merely to win. You run to win... but you win to govern."

On John McCain's readiness to be president and commander-in-chief:

"I am so very proud to say, 'That is my friend, John McCain.' The next president of the United States. The next commander-in-chief. Ready to lead. Ready to serve. Ready to deliver."

McCain checks out new stage

I just came off the floor of the arena where I watched Senator John McCain check out the new stage built for his acceptance speech here at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul tonight. He was joined by his wife, Cindy, and fellow Senators Joe Lieberman of Connecticut and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina. The podium from where McCain will speak now sits in the center of the floor, with the Pennsylvania delegation assigned to sit in the first few rows. McCain walked up to the podium, which rises out of the stage, and tested the microphone by reading part of his speech off the teleprompter. When asked what his thoughts were on the speech given last night by his vice presidential running mate, Alaska Governor Sarah Planin, his response was "wonderful."

PA given front row seat to speech

We've been hearing all week how important Pennsylvania will be in the upcoming election for president. In fact, some like former Governor Tom Ridge have gone so far as to say that "if the Republicans prevail in Pennsylvania for John and Sarah, the race for president is over." They say the Keystone State is key to a GOP victory in November.

Perhaps nothing tonight will prove that point more than the new seating arrangement inside the arena. Pennsylvania delegates will now have a front row seat when John McCain's accepts the Republican nomination for president. I just came off the arena floor, where workers are busy right now building out the stage, preparing a new podium in the center of the arena, an'd checking the sound and lighting. It's a whole new look for the final night of the Republican National Convention.

Towels to be twirling

When John McCain accepts the Republican nomination for president here in St. Paul tonight, members of the Pennsylvania delegation will be waving special rally towels high in the air. They're yellow with the words "Pennsylvania for McCain. We're not "bitter." McCain will likely have a good view of the towels from the podium. The Pennsylvania delegation will now sit front and center, with the stage being extended to the middle of the arena.

Pumped about Palin

"Fired-up Palin rocks arena," says the Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune.

"Pit Bull!" screams the Boston Herald.

USA Today says "Republicans rally around Palin in national debut"

"Palin sounds a call to battle," reports The Philadelphia Inquirer.

"Knock out!" exclaims the New York Post.

And to the delightful surprise of at least one Pennsylvania Republican Party official this morning: The New York Times headline of "Palin Electrifies Convention."

It's just a small sample of newspaper headlines across the country that proclaim an electrying speech given by Alaska Governor Sarah Palin at the Republican National Convention last night. U.S. Senator Arlen Specter told Pennsylvania delegates this morning that Palin's speech was a "grand slam." One of those delegates from Berks County told me that last night was THE night for Republicans. He said McCain's already proven himself to voters. All he needs to do, he said, is not stumble in his speech tonight.

Routes rearranged

Yesterday I mentioned about officials with the Pennsylvania Republican Partry trying to address the problem of its convention delegates getting lost on buses between their hotel in Minnetonka and the Xcel Energy Center in downtown St. Paul, more than 20 miles away.

Today, we learned the bus drivers have been told to stay off the highways and take alternate routes between the two sites for fear of people tossing objects off bridges and into their path. Their original routes, intended to be kept secret, were apparently compromised. Some in the PA delegation say the new way of going has added as much as a half-hour to their trip each way.

Earlier this week, we learned authorities here in the Twin Cities thwarted a group's plan to disrupt the convention by using homemade devices to stop buses and kidnap delegates. At least one police officer or sheriff's deputy accompanies the delegates on each trip.

Ridge: W.H. no place for training

A week ago, Tom Ridge was said to be on John McCain's short list for running mate. John McCain chose instead to go with Sarah Palin, governor of Alaska. Ridge told Pennsylvania delegates this morning that there's no better choice. He said he got quite a few laughs from some of Palin's comments in her acceptance speech last night. He said one of his favorites was her comparison of a soccer mom, which she proclaims to be, and a pit bull. He also told the delegates that experience matters in this election and that the White House is no place for on-the-job training. Ridge said, while the Democrats have a numerical edge in Pennsylvania, the Republicans have the superior candidates. "If the Republicans prevail in Pennsylvania for John and Sarah, the race for president is over," said Ridge. Congressman Joe Pitts, who represents part of Berks County, also addressed the delegates. He told them about his time in the military at the same time McCain was being held as a prisoner of war.

Senator Specter speaks

U.S. Senator Arlen Specter is addressing the Pennsylvania delegates right now. He began by updating them on his health. He's battling a second bout with Hodgkin's disease. The treatments have caused him to lose his hair again. But he joked that the rumors about him shaving his head and becoming a sex symbol are true. Then he said it actually wouldn't be possible for two reasons -- #1: his wife wouldn't let him, #2: he's not qualified. On the campaign, Specter said when you put John McCain and Barack Obama side by side and look at their experience, the Republicans have a decisive edge. But it will take the hard work of delegates here at the convention to get him elected in November.

DNC -- Day 4

The final day of the Republican National Convention is here. It was a late night for us last night. Actually we wrapped up a little after midnight. Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, the first woman on a Republican ticket, really seemed to electrify the crowd with her acceptance speech. Then John McCain walked on stage and stood with Palin's husband and five children before the delegates began the roll call vote that would make McCain their presidential nominee. McCain will deliver his acceptance speech tonight. The theme will be "Peace -- a Safer and More Secure America."

We're now heading off to the delegates' breakfast. Their hotel is actually further away from the Xcel Energy Center than ours is, so we have to drive away from Minneapolis-St. Paul to get there and then backtrack a bit to get to the arena. The delegates are scheduled to hear from U.S. Senator Arlen Specter and former Pennsylvania governor and U.S. Homeland  Secretary Tom Ridge.

A witness to history

Here are Karin's thoughts on the third day of the Republican National Convention:

I've been to many a rock concert and shows. Living in New York for a bit means tickets to loads of performances. But, for the first time, I waited in line for a "ticket" to a political party.

Our media credentials get us into the Xcel Energy Center, but not onto the convention floor. For that, we stand in line for a rotating pass that gets us on the floor for 30 minutes at a time. It's all about timing, and we timed it perfectly for Alaska Governor Sarah Palin's speech... giving us another front row seat for history-in-the-making.

It was like walking up to the velvet ropes and finding your name on the guest list.

GOP's choice for VP

I'm in the arena right now as Alaska Governor Sarah Palin presents her acceptance speech for the Republican vice presidential nomination before a capacity crowd that rose to its feet when she walked on stage here in St. Paul. Palin was introduced by former New York City Mayor and GOP presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani.

The youth vote?

We've seen both the McCain and Obama campaigns reaching out to the young voters of America more in this presidential election than perhaps any other in history. The key word there is "voters." The candidates also seem to be getting their message, or at least their names and faces, across to an even younger audience. And I have an example to prove my point. I'm told my four-year-old goddaughter, Morgan, came home the other day, saw there was a message on the answering machine, and pushed play. Seconds later, she went yelling to her parents with excitement that John McCain had left them a message. Too bad she wasn't home when he called.

Here at the convention, they're also selling children's clothing, stuffed toys, and "Kids for McCain" campaign buttons.

Thoughts of cameraman Bill

Our photographer cover the conventions, Bill Seiders, shares with us some of his thoughts on the last week.

Well, it has been a week since I last chimed in, so I'll give you an update on how I'm fairing on the convention trail. I must say I am liking the setup in St. Paul a lot more because we don't have to walk as much. My legs are thanking the RNC right now, and come to think it, so are my feet. I like the setup within the arena because there are spots I can shoot with out having to go onto the floor of the arena, I can use my tripod and make all my guys back at the station happy that they are not seeing shaky, handheld video. I am looking forward to later tonight when Karin and I will be on the floor to tape Gov. Palin's speech and the reaction of the Pennsylvania delegates on the floor. I am hoping there is some excitement in the air because this convention seems to be a little more subdued because of the hurricane. I must say that I have enjoyed the trip to both conventions, but I am looking forward to getting home and having to shoot only one, maybe two packages a day. I hope you all enjoyed our coverage of the conventions because I know I have. And the CNN Grill is the greatest place on Earth, Sorry Disney.

My brief chat with Bob Dole

Bob Dole is certainly no stranger to Republican conventions. The former U.S. Senator from Kansas was the GOP's nominee for president in 1996. President Clinton won his second term that year. Now, Dole's wife, Elizabeth, also a former presidential candidate, is a U.S. Senator from North Carolina who's up for re-election this year. A short time ago, I had the chance to ask Dole what he thought about the McCain-Palin ticket. He told me Sarah Palin, like his wife, is very popular in North Carolina. He jokingly said that if I happen to see Palin tonight that I should tell her he'd like her to visit North Carolina. He told me to call him collect if I have any luck. We'll see.

Meet the press

The only people here at the Republican National Convention who outnumber the delegates are members of the media. Thousands of journalists from around the world have gathered here in St. Paul. Unlike in Denver where the media were stationed in five large tents around the arena, the journalists here in St. Paul are all gathered under one roof. One huge roof. It's a building called the RiverCentre, which is connected to the Xcel Energy Center and is big enough to hold everyone. There's more than 125,000 square feet of space on three floors.

We're on the top floor next to a wall of windows overlooking the Mississippi River and the Wabasha Street Bridge. Our neighbor is conservative radio talk show host Michael Medved. There are several other TV stations and networks (NY1, CNN, NBC), newspapers (Washington Times, Dallas Morning News) and national magazines (Time, U.S. News & World Report) on our floor, most of them in the 27,000-square-foot ballroom. And all the RNC news conferences are done in a ballroom right across the hall from us.

Right below our location is what's called "radio row." Actually, it's several long rows of radio stations and networks from around the world doing live broadcasts around the clock, many of them interviewing the movers and shakers within the Republican Party. It can get a bit noisy down there, but it can also be a good place to find the right people to talk to.

On the floor below that, in the building's large exhibit space, are mostly newspapers (Washington Post, USA Today), wire services (Associated Press, Reuters), and magazines (Newsweek).

Coming and going

Just hours before Sarah Palin steps to the podium here at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, pink "Women for McCain" merchandise and nything with the Alaska governor's name or picture on it are selling almost as quickly as they come in to the official campaign store. One new item that arrived today is a white campaign button with Palin's name in the center of a pink heart. Palin is the first woman to be on a Republican presidential ticket.

PA delegates help fill care boxes

Members of the Pennsylvania Republican delegation joined their counterparts from across the country in Minneapolis today to pack relief supplies for victims of Hurricane Gustav. They got a visit from John McCain, who arrived in town for the Republican National Convention a short time earlier. The RNC teamed up earlier this week with Target and FedEx to offer the help to residents along the Gulf Coast.

RNC to be "Rich" with music

This will be an extra special night for the Texas delegation at the Republican National Convention here in St. Paul. Country singer John Rich will take the stage to perform his new song, Raisin' McCain. He debuted the song in Panama City, Florida during the recent Country First concert, which McCain attended. Bill and I caught up with Rich doing some interviews on "radio row" earlier today. He describes himself as a huge John McCain supporter. He says he'll be wearing his rhinestone Wranglers on stage tonight.

Ex-gov. rocks Minnesota

Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee greeted the Pennsylvania delegates this morning by telling them "if you had more than an hour-and-a-half sleep last night, you've outdone me." Huckabee's band, Capitol Offense, was entertaining a crowd here in the Twin Cities until 2:30 this morning. The former GOP presidential candidate plays the guitar in the band, which performs a mix of classic rock, Motown, country, and blues. Huckabee says the band got its name because most of its members worked in the Arkansas state capitol at one time or another and its music offends everybody.

Bumper sticker politics

It's been a form of political advertising long before candidates got their name across to voters on television. Bumper stickers are a big thing in presidential campaigns. In fact, one company I checked out on the Internet says the stickers account for 12% of its business in a presidential election year.

This morning, Pennsylvania Attorney General Tom Corbett told the state's delegates to go home after the convention and put McCain stickers on their cars. He said he recently observed the value of bumper stickers firsthand when he was stopped behind a car that wasn't moving for a green light. He was about to urge the driver to move when a member of his security detail noticed the car had a Corbett sticker on its bumper. He decided instead to wait for the driver to move on his own.

Elephants love peanuts

I don't know all the reasons the Republicans chose Minnesota's Twin Cities for the site of their national convention, but it's nice to think that one may have been because of Peanuts. Not the kind a GOP elephant might like to eat, but those of the funny pages, i.e. Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and the gang. Their creator, Charles M. Schulz, was born in Minneapolis and grew up in St. Paul. As a tribute to the legacy he left behind, larger than life bronze statues of his famous characters have been placed prominently around Landmark Plaza near the Xcel Energy Center in downtown St. Paul. It's fun to pass by them each morning as we walk from our car to the arena.

Huckabee addresses PA delegates

Former Arkansas Governor and Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee just finished addressing the Pennsylvania delegates during their breakfast. He told them he doesn't envy them for living in a battleground state because all they'll see on TV between now and election day in November are campaign commercials. He then put all joking aside and told them they can't grow tired of the campaign, no matter what. "The future direction of this country may well rest in the Keystone State," Huckabee said. Huckabee didn't take any questions from the media as he was escorted out of the hotel through an employee's exit of the ballroom. He'll address all the delegates from the podium inside the Xcel Energy Center tonight.

Lost delegates

Leaving the driving to someone else isn't working out too well for Pennsylvania delegates. Republican Party officials are trying to solve the problem of them getting lost. Actually, it's the people driving their buses back and forth between the delegates' hotel and the Xcel Energy Center. They say the problem is there's such a demand for buses at the convention that they had to be pulled in from outside the Twin Cities area, so many drivers don't know how to get around.

Full of hot air

Politicians are often accused of being full of hot air, but even they can't compare to the thousands of red, white, and blue balloons that are suspended in large nets high above the arena floor inside the Xcel Energy Center. They'll fall to the floor when John McCain finishes his acceptance speech tomorrow night.

Of course, the 200,000 balloons didn't inflate themselves. Dozens of students from a local high school were lucky enough to get the day off to help out last Friday. The process started at 9:00 in the morning and didn't end until late that evening. They're guaranteed to fall much faster than that.

RNC -- Day 3

The third day of the Republican National Convention here in St. Paul will bring John McCain's newly-minted running mate, Sarah Palin, to the podium. The Alaska governor will accept the GOP's vice presidential nomination.

Also tonight, one of McCain's former GOP contenders in the primary, former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee, will address the delegates inside the arena. Earlier in the day, he's scheduled to attend the Pennsylvania delegates' breakfast at their hotel in nearby Minnetonka.

CNN's wall of fame

Karin, Bill, and I may not be media superstars among the company of Tom Brokaw and Wolf Blitzer, both of whom were in the CNN Grill here in St. Paul Tuesday night, but we still managed to make it up onto the restaurant's "Wall of Fame." Of course, it doesn't seem to take much to be inducted -- just one of the friendly staffers snapping our picture with a Polaroid camera. But it's nice, at least for a moment, to think we're special in the eyes of our network.

Ban on bumbershoots

Obviously, an umbrella is a handy item to have in the rain. But, when the Secret Service is in charge of security at a political convention on a rainy day in St. Paul, you're likely to get wet. One of the long list of forbidden items inside the convention complex is an umbrella. So, you can either leave it behind and have it for later or you can forfeit it at the security checkpoint and hope it's still there among the pile of others when you leave, if you really want it back. Judging by the large pile still up for grabs outside one of the gates when we left Tuesday night, most people who gave their's up could care less to get it back.

Country first

Here are Karin's thoughts on the second day of the Republican National Convention in St. Paul.

"And I'm proud to be an American..."

C'mon! Sing along. You know the Lee Greenwood song.

The theme of the RNC this week is "Country First." And the focus tonight was on service -- particularly Sen. John McCain's service to our country. There's no arguing he's an American patriot and there was pride swelling through the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul -- an energy we hadn't seen here before. The pace is finally picking up here after a brief interuption by Gustav. And Republicans can finally put the party back into politics.

Honoring a former president

I'm on the arena floor right now as former President George H. W. Bush is being honored for his service to our country. He's seated next to his wife, Barbara, in the first row behind all the delegates. I was able to snap off a few pictures from the middle of a crowd of people gathered in front of their box. The former president had tears in his eyes as he watched a video tribute in his honor and then acknowledged the standing ovation that followed.

The Bush's daughter, Doro, who I interviewed in Mohnton, Berks County during her brother's first campaign for president, is also here. And John McCain's mother, Roberta, was just led to her seat inside the arena.

Tickled pink for Palin

Anything and everything with Sara Palin's picture or name on it is flying off the shelves at the official campaign souvenir store here at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul. And the woman who won the contract from the GOP to run the store inside the arena told me today she expects to sell even more stuff before and after Palin steps up to the podium tomorrow night, including new merchandise that won't even be arriving until tomorrow. I saw Marylou Korkuch (right) from Hunterdon County, N.J. buying up quite a few things to take back home with her, including a variety of campaign buttons and a red, white, and blue top hat with matching braids. What would she want with a hat like that, I asked. She told me she plans to wear it inside the arena, as long as she's not blocking the view of anyone behind her.

No shortage of news

With a national political convention now under way and a major hurricane come and gone, there's been no shortage of news this weekend. And here in St. Paul, it's easy for journalists to keep up with everything their colleagues are reporting, even if they're not wired to the Internet. A seemingly endless row of racks offers daily newspapers from here in the Twin Cities and across the country, national news magazines, and conservative weeklies that can be hard to find on regular newstands.

Swann may run again for PA gov.

Our cameraman, Bill Seiders, spoke with Lynn Swann, former Pittsburgh Steelers great and Republican candidate for Pennsylvania governor, on the floor of the arena here in St. Paul a short time ago. Swann told Bill he's talking it over with his wife about another run for governor. He lost his first bid to Ed Rendell in 2006. Swann said he wouldn't consider running for Congress because "it's not a good fit" for him.

RNC schedule announced

The Republican National Committee has just announced a revised line-up of speakers for tonight. President Bush will address the delegates live via satellite from the White House. Those who we'll see take the platform here in St. Paul include First Lady Laura Bush, U.S. Senator Joe Lieberman, an independent and former Democrat, and former U.S. Senator, presidential candidate, and actor Fred Thompson. The theme for tonight is "service."

Leaning to the left

As journalists, we're expected to remain unbiased in our political reporting. So, what harm could there possibly be in having my picture taken in between a Democratic donkey and a Republican elephant? Never did I think it could bring me bad luck to pose with a donkey at a Republican convention, especially with the GOP elephant on my other side. But, not so. When both are on Segways and the donkey rolls onto your right foot, you tend to lean a little bit to the left. Or at least I did... and howl a little bit. Fortunately, the elephant stepped in and helped bring me back to the middle. I remain neutral.

An actor's role in politics

Bill and I just interviewed Academy Award-winning actor Jon Voight (Midnight Cowboy, National Treasure, Pearl Harbor) about his role in the upcoming movie, An American Carol. Voight plays George Washington (right), whose spirit is one of three that haunts a Michael Moore be-alike for wanting to do away with the celebration of Independence Day.

"You can't take Michael Moore too seriously," said Voight. "He just says one thing after another that is so deeply disturbing and repulsive to me."

Voight told us the movie is a funny parody directed and produced by someone with quite a bit of experience with that genre.

"I was able to get a front row seat at David Zucker making a movie," said Voight. "This is fun."

Zucker has such comedies as Airplane! and the three Naked Gun movies to his credit.

After a screening of the new movie's trailer this morning, former U.S. Senator Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania told us An American Carol is a conservative counterattack on Michael Moore and the "liberal left."

Karin will tell us more about the movie tonight at 6:00.

Turning the world on with a smile

Our visit to Minneapolis might not have been complete without paying tribute to one of the most popular and award-winning shows that just happened to be centered around a fictional TV newsroom here in town.

After a late dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe in downtown Minneapolis last night, Karin, Bill, and I took a stroll a couple blocks up the street to the Mary Tyler Moore statue. It's in the exact location where Mary Richards threw her famous hat into the air in the open of the Mary Tyler Moore Show.

Karin tried her best to mimic the famous toss, minus the hat. While Mary's a beautiful woman with a lot of "spunk," and the statue portrays her well, I was personally looking around for a tribute to Lou Grant, her tough-but-ilikeable boss played by Ed Asner. He's more my style. But much to my dismay, I couldn't find it. Nonetheless, I was more than eager to strike a pose with Mary. Actually, the picture was taken just as I started to lose my balance on the base. Don't worry. I didn't fall, which is good because I'm still nursing a nasty bruise on my arm that I got in Denver last week.

Ex-PA senator goes Hollywood

Rick Santorum has been keeping busy since losing his seat in the U.S. Senate to Bob Casey, Jr. a couple years ago. This morning, he spoke to Pennsylvania delegates at their breakfast. And he told them about his counter attack on Michael Moore and the "liberal left" by way of Hollywood and a new movie called An American Carol.

It's a spoof on A Christmas Carol with Michael Malone (played by Kevin Farley), wanting to do away with the celebration of Independence Day, being visited by three American spirits -- those of George Washington, General George Patton, and John F. Kennedy. Their goal is to teach him the true meaning of patriotism. 

Other stars include Kelsey Grammer, Leslie Nielsen, Jon Voight, Gary Coleman, Dennis Hopper, and Trace Adkins. It will open in more than 2,000 theaters across the country on October 3.

Something older is better

As in Denver, I've asked Karin to give us a taste of her daily experiences here at the Republican National Convention in Denver. Below is her first post.

A lesson learned in Denver... and this time around, I'm wearing the right shoes. Fourteen years ago, these sandals trekked all throughout Israel. I was a journalism major at NYU. It was the trip of a lifetime and I was smart enough at the time to realize that my Doc Martens from 8th Street in New York wouldn't be of much use in the desert. They served me well then... and although I couldn't tell you how much they were or the brand, they still serve me well today. There's much less walking here in St. Paul, but at least this time I came prepared.

Something older is better, the amusing anecdote shared by Senator McCain's 96-year-old mother at breakfast. 96 and she's still got it.

Greetings from St. Paul!

With the exception of our short weekend, Karin, Bill, and I will have been away from our homes for less than two weeks when the Republican National Convention comes to an end. But the presidential campaign can keep many members of the traveling media away from their family and friends for several more weeks, maybe even months, at a time. But the Xcel Energy Center, host of the RNC, is helping to put them in touch with their loved ones with a simple postcard, stamp included. It shows a nighttime picture of the arena and the GOP convention's logo as a postmark.

CNN Grill comes to St. Paul

The popular CNN Grill I told you quite a bit about in Denver last week has now quickly taken shape in St. Paul, complete with the large neon signs that were taken down just after Barack Obama's speech Thursday night, rushed here and installed over the weekend. As it did in Denver, the network gave the restaurant -- known for the last five years as the Eagle Street Grill -- a complete makeover, both inside and out. It promises to put it back the way it was after the convention. The restaurant was supposed to open today, but decided to wait until tomorrow because of the GOP's decision to cancel most of its activities. When it does open, time will only tell who will show up. The CNN Grill in Denver saw the likes of Oprah Winfrey, Charles Barkley, Charlize Theron, and numerous CNN personalities.

Gulf Coast gov.'s say thanks

I was inside the arena a short time ago as First Lady Laura Bush took the stage here at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul. She introduced several Gulf State governors who spoke to the delegates on video about the impact they've felt from Hurricane Gustav. They also thanked the delegates for their prayers and support. Mrs. Bush then returned to the stage with John McCain's wife, Cindy, and a standing ovation from the crowd. They announced the creation of a special website designed to help the hurricane victims. It includes links and phone numbers for various agencies charged with providing relief.

Called to order

Republican National Committee Chairman Mike Duncan has just called the convention to order inside the Excel Energy Center here in St. Paul. Delegates are taking care of only official business like electing officers and adopting the party platform today. Everything else this evening, including speeches by President Bush and Vice President Cheney, has either been cancelled or pushed back out of respect for the victims of Hurricane Gustav. First Lady Laura Bush has come to town, as scheduled. Earlier in Minneapolis, she joined Cindy McCain in meeting with volunteers helping to pack "comfort packages" for Gustav victims.

Actor backs McCain

Academy Award-winning actor Jon Voight spent some time talking with reporters waiting in line to go through security at the Xcel Energy Center here in St. Paul this morning. He read off a list of reasons he's supporting John McCain over Barack Obama, the continuing threat of terrorism among them. Voight, the father of actress Angelina Jolie, actually backed former New York City Mayor Rudy Guiliani during the primaries. Voight most recently starred in the National Treasure and Transformers movies, the latter of which was partly filmed in Bethlehem.

Republican relief

Rather than carrying on with the usual pomp that is traditional with a political convention, Republicans are spending the first day of their convention in Minnesota enacting relief efforts for victims of Hurricane Gustav. Collection canisters have been placed around the convention facility here in St. Paul. An information center has also been set up for delegates from the Gulf States to track the storm's path and learn about its impact on their home areas. At the convention center in nearby Minneapolis, Republicans have partnered with FedEx, Target, and the American Red Cross to begin assembling 80,000 "comfort packages."

The price of pop

I've been trying to avoid comparing my experiences at the DNC in Denver last week with those at the RNC here in St. Paul. While the politics are obviously different, the set-up, logistics, and credentialing are pretty much the same. Even run by mostly the same people, so there really hasn't been that much different, except...

Let me start by saying I was thrilled to find, as was also the case in Denver, a Diet Coke machine -- two, in fact -- within just a few short feet of our workspace. I'll be spending quite a bit of time here over the next several days, I thought to myself. And the restroom is right down the hall. So, how lucky can I get, right?

Well, imagine my surprise when, with dollar bill in hand, I rush over to my new-found friend and it wants to charge me $3.00 for the exact same size bottle of Diet Coke I paid just $1.00 for in Denver (at the Pepsi Center). Why such a huge difference, I wonder. Despite the desire of some to bring politics into play, it certainly can't be a Democrat vs. Republican issue. Or can it?