SWAC POSTCARD: Convention takes on party atmosphere ahead of Palin’s speech

The party atmosphere was evident Tuesday night as Virginia delegates boarded buses to the Republican National Convention at the Xcel Center. Many delegates were dressed in red, white and blue and sporting McCain-Palin buttons and caps. We saw no demonstrators but security was heavy as we exited the interstate with dozens of riot police, security and what looked to be National Guard soldiers along the streets, in parking garages and lining roof tops.
Inside the convention center everyone was in high spirits and the place was packed. Media were everywhere and they all wanted interviews, photos and film footage. We were prepared for an exciting evening of speeches from President George W. Bush (taped), First Lady Laura Bush, Sen. Norm Coleman, Fred Thompson, and Joe Lieberman — and we were not disappointed. The air was electrified as delegates cheered and waved signs and jumped to their feet applauding as they got into the celebration spirit of the convention. When Cindy McCain, George H. W. and Barbara Bush entered, it was as if royalty had arrived. Their reception was nothing short of spectacular from all in attendance.
One interesting moment came when political strategist Karl Rove waved to the convention goers from the Fox News sky box. From my vantage point, all I could see was his hand waving but the arena roared in approval. This is, after all, a decidedly conservative crowd. Later while a tape ran honoring Republican elected officials and Party officials who had passed away the past year, applause went up from the Virginia delegation when the late Congresswoman Jo Ann Davis’ name flashed on the screen. Shortly afterward, former Fox News anchor and former White House Press Secretary Tony Snow’s name flashed up and there was overwhelming applause.
Wednesday was Hollywood Day for the Virginia delegation as actors Jon Voight and Kevin Farley from “An American Carol” addressed the group during breakfast. “An American Carol” was described by the Weekly Standard as “... unlike anything that has ever come out of Hollywood. It is a frontal attack on the excesses of the American left from several prominent members of a growing class of Hollywood conservatives. Until now, conservatives in Hollywood have always been too few and too worried about a backlash to do anything serious to challenge the left-wing status quo.” Premiering October 3, “An American Carol” is a movie conservatives can back to send a message to Hollywood.
The star-studded day continued as the Virginia delegation boarded buses for the Calhoun Beach Club located on the shores of Calhoon Lake for an elegant catered lunch while listening to conservative actor Pat Boone who is solidly in support of John McCain and Sarah Palin. He is unabashedly pro-family values and he does not just talk the talk; Pat Boone walks the walk. A highlight of the lunch was auctioning off a pair of his white autographed bucks for $1,000 with the check going to help hurricane victims on the Gulf coast.
Senator John Warner, former Governor Jim Gilmore, for Lt. Governor John Hager, and Attorney General Bob McDonnell joined us for lunch. The room was packed in the Beach Club’s second floor dining room that opened onto a grand veranda overlooking the lake on a beautiful fall-like sunny day.
All delegates are a-buzz about Wednesday night’s convention speech by Alaska’s Governor Sarah Palin with positive feedback from women, men, and young people. Conservatives who were hesitant about John McCain are pleased with the choice