Minnesota Moments

by Mary F. Patel

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Published: Sep 3, 2008

Minneapolis was the destination for politicos this week as Republican delegates descended here for five days' worth of conventioneering. Although there was talk early Sunday about Hurricane Gustav, which was headed for New Orleans, few realized that Monday night's events at the Excel Center would be canceled because of it.

At the Pennsylvania delegate breakfast early Monday morning, state officials announced that the speakers planned for that night — U.S. Sen. Joseph Lieberman, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger , Vice President Dick Cheney , President George Bush and first lady Laura Bush — would not, in fact, be speaking. Politically, it could have been a disaster for the Republicans to take the stage while another storm wrecked New Orleans, especially after Bush and FEMA were raked over the coals for their response to Hurricane Katrina.

Chad Jenkins (CLICK IMAGE FOR LARGER VERSION)

The Pennsylvania delegates had arrived early Sunday morning. The good news, for them, was that their trip was extremely well-organized (the delegation was efficiently bused to the Marriott Hotel); the bad news was that the hotel was way out in Minnetonka, 25 miles from both the Xcel Center and downtown Minneapolis, where many of the events were taking place. The delegates and the media hanging with them paid $250 a piece to defray costs for transportation and receptions at the hotel (unlike at the Denver convention last week, where receptions were paid for by various corporations).

In addition to the official delegates, some Pennsylvania Republicans came along just for the parties and networking. Former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum , now a big deal at conservative think tanks, made the scene (the man who took Santorum's seat, Sen. Bob Casey , spoke at the Democratic Convention).

During the day, the delegates and their compatriots headed to the Minneapolis Convention Center for a special screening of a new film, An American Carol, a spoof on Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol with a liberal Michael Moore -like character as Scrooge. Directed by David Zucker , and starring Kelsey Grammer and Jon Voight , who made an appearance at the screening, the film was aimed to slam liberals and Hollywood. The movie itself was over-the-top with cheesy satire — scenes included bumbling terrorists, soldiers heading off to war and ghosts of Christmas' past. Voight portrayed George Washington and played heavily to a conservative audience.

American Carol producers sponsored a pre-reception, a real booze-fest with a lot of seafood and entertainment by country and western performer Lee Greenwood . Later that night, the official delegate party was hosted by Minnesota officials at the Minneapolis Convention Center. Historic figures, like Abraham Lincoln , roamed around and delegates had their pictures taken with the national bird, Harriott the Bald Eagle .

Most delegates went to the Xcel Center Monday night despite the cancellation of the speaking engagements. They got to see Laura Bush and Cindy McCain , who made appearances after all.

While the band Smash Mouth performed at Aqua, a club in downtown Minneapolis, Pennsylvania GOP Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi hosted an ice cream social back at the Marriott, and delegates hit the bar. They did not appear to be overly concerned over the changes in the evening's programs.

"I thought it was brilliant!" said Montgomery County Commissioner Jim Matthews . "Everyone (national Republicans) did just the right thing."

He declined comment on rumors that his brother, MSNBC pundit Chris Matthews , was planning to run against U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter .

Talk of John McCain 's pick for vice president, Sarah Palin , drifted around the bar. Delegates admitted they did not have quite enough information about her yet, but felt she was a "maverick."

On Tuesday afternoon, Ron Paul supporters gathered for a rally at the Target Center. There was talk that they were going to cause commotion on the convention floor, although that wouldn't happen.

Meanwhile, 10,000 people from all over the states were gathered at Mead Park in preparation for a peaceful demonstration on human rights and ending poverty. They planned to walk the three miles down to the Excel Center. The march was organized by Philly homeless-rights activist Cheri Honkala and her son, actor and director Mark Webber . Actor Jason Ritter had flown in from L.A. to participate, as well as actress Rosario Dawson , who arrived later.

"Poor people are everywhere and this march is about basic human rights," said Webber. "This is a peaceful demonstration."

By the time the demonstrators arrived at the Excel Center, SWAT teams and Secret Service had put up extra fences to keep them away from the convention. When Honkala tried to scale the barrier, police threatened to use tear gas on her, the rest of the marchers and the media, so she just slid an American flag under the fence.

Inside the Center, it was official opening night. Delegates, oblivious to activities outside, roamed the halls as guest speakers took the podium (the headliners were Laura Bush and Lieberman). There were good times to be found in the club suites, such as the one hosted by Catholics for McCain, and one hosted by U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao.

Delegates had a great view of the convention floor from the balcony and they sipped Coppola wine as the speakers took the podium. Former president George H.W. Bush arrived with his wife, Barbara , and President Bush made remarks via satellite from the White House. There was talk from some delegates that it was a good thing that appearances by President Bush and Vice President Cheney were canceled on Monday night. Their approval ratings are so low, the delegates figured, this made for better politics.

Ed Camiel from Montgomery County was there with his wife, Judith , as guests of the convention. Camiel was once a Democrat: His uncle was Philly Democratic Party boss Pete Camiel and Ed was the chairman of the PA State Young Democrats some years ago. He later became disenchanted with the party.

"I'm here because the Democratic Party left me," he said. "That's why I'm supporting John McCain and Sarah Palin. The Republicans are really the big tent [party]."

By 10 p.m., the last hurrah for Tuesday night was over and hundreds of delegates were bused out to downtown Minneapolis for a late, late-night party at club Aqua, where the retro hippy band Boogie Wonderland entertained the masses. The schedule for the remainder of the week was up in the air.

(rcpatel@aol.com)

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