From the Convention – Day 2

Darla St. Martin and Karen Cross were again on the convention floor for Day 2 of the Republican National Convention.  Here’s their latest report:

Even Gustav didn’t dampen the spirits of those attending the Republican National Convention tonight. Fortunately, the hurricane wrecked far less havoc than anticipated, with the residents of the Gulf Coast still on everyone’s minds, the Convention resumed its normal schedule and is on track to complete the business of nominating pro-life candidates Senator John McCain and Governor Sarah Palin for US president and vice president.

Pro-life Senator Norm Coleman (U.S. Senator from Minnesota) welcomed everyone to Minnesota. He was followed by pro-life Congresswoman Michele Bachmann from Minnesota’s sixth Congressional district. Congresswoman Bachmann emphasized the importance of everyone coming together and encouraged all Minnesotans to carry on the tradition of “Minnesota Nice”.

Wes Gullet introduced his daughter, Nicky, who was one of two babies Cindy McCain brought back after Mother Teresa told her about two babies who would die if she didn’t take them. One had a severe cleft palate and the other was suffering from severe malnutrition. The McCains adopted one of the babies and the Guttners adopted the other, Nicky. Nicky wrote an essay describing how proud she is to be an American. She is now a U.S. citizen.

First Lady Laura Bush introduced President George W. Bush, a great friend of life, who spoke by satellite.

During former Tennessee Senator Fred Thompson’s rousing speech, he brought down the house when he pointed out that “we need a President who doesn’t think that the protection of the unborn or a newly born baby is above his pay grade.” The crowd erupted. It was great! 

More tomorrow…

From the Convention – Day 1

Here’s the latest from Darla St. Martin, our co-executive director and Karen Cross, our political director, who are in Minneapolis for the GOP convention:

Greetings from Minneapolis and Day 1 of the RNC Convention. 

Today, obviously, all of our prayers are going out to the residents of the Gulf Coast coping with Hurricane Gustav.   Because of the storm, the convention schedule today has been shortened.  Most of the country will only see the prefunctory issues (credentials committee, rules committee, platform committee, etc) regarding the governance of the convention and the part on C-SPAN.  First Lady Laura Bush and Cindy McCain each gave brief remarks before the convention gaveled to recess for the evening.

One special note: the platform committee report was adopted by the entire convention making the GOP’s platform — containing the strongest-ever language on life — official.

Of course, the entire convention and, indeed, the entire country are abuzz with the selection of Governor Palin as Senator McCain’s running mate.  As our press release noted last week, Governor Palin is a strong pro-lifer and has served as a positive witness for life. 

We look forward to the days ahead and we’ll keep you posted.

Darla & Karen

Look for more updates from Minneapolis!  Thanks Darla & Karen!