Spring Break
Republican Party rallies around McCain, Palin at St. Paul convention
Whitney A. Stewart
Issue date: 9/4/08 Section: News
ST. PAUL, Minn. - Three days of speeches, parties and protesters have kept attendees at the Republican National Convention cheering and dodging tear gas, but the excitement culminates tonight when John McCain accepts the Republican presidential nomination.
After adopting the convention rules and platform and welcoming first lady Laura Bush and her potential successor Cindy McCain to encourage aid to victims of Hurricane Gustav Monday night, convention goers heard from an array of political figures including President George W. Bush via satellite, Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman and Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann.
Former presidential candidate Fred Thompson kept the crowd on its feet Tuesday in a rousing endorsement of both McCain and vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin and paid tribute to McCain's war-tested character.
"Tonight we're being called upon to stand up for a strong military, a mature foreign policy a free and growing economy and for the values that bind us together and keep our country free," he said. "Tonight we're being called upon to step up and stand up for John McCain just as he has stood up for our country."
Lieberman, who is notably neither a Republican nor a Democrat, followed Thompson's speech and said McCain's strength and record proves he would push through important policies as president, regardless of political consideration.
"You may not agree with John McCain on every issue," he said. "But you can always count on him to be straight with you about where he stands and to stand where he thinks is right for our country regardless of the politics."
After Monday's pullback out of respect for the Gulf Coast residents in Hurricane Gustav's path, the convention is regaining its full operation with tribute videos and Wednesday's strong political message. And McCain's pick of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin is helping energize party support.
"Gov. Palin is great," said Darlene Packard, 59, a delegate from Prescott Valley, Ariz. "Women should be proud. She's the average woman. She's a leader."
After adopting the convention rules and platform and welcoming first lady Laura Bush and her potential successor Cindy McCain to encourage aid to victims of Hurricane Gustav Monday night, convention goers heard from an array of political figures including President George W. Bush via satellite, Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman and Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann.
Former presidential candidate Fred Thompson kept the crowd on its feet Tuesday in a rousing endorsement of both McCain and vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin and paid tribute to McCain's war-tested character.
"Tonight we're being called upon to stand up for a strong military, a mature foreign policy a free and growing economy and for the values that bind us together and keep our country free," he said. "Tonight we're being called upon to step up and stand up for John McCain just as he has stood up for our country."
Lieberman, who is notably neither a Republican nor a Democrat, followed Thompson's speech and said McCain's strength and record proves he would push through important policies as president, regardless of political consideration.
"You may not agree with John McCain on every issue," he said. "But you can always count on him to be straight with you about where he stands and to stand where he thinks is right for our country regardless of the politics."
After Monday's pullback out of respect for the Gulf Coast residents in Hurricane Gustav's path, the convention is regaining its full operation with tribute videos and Wednesday's strong political message. And McCain's pick of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin is helping energize party support.
"Gov. Palin is great," said Darlene Packard, 59, a delegate from Prescott Valley, Ariz. "Women should be proud. She's the average woman. She's a leader."
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