If the light blinks...
Convention Day 1 - I woke up eager to get to the Xcel Center. But first we attended a luncheon with Pennsylvania, Virginia and Ohio delegations at the Circus Juventas circus school, for a wonderful performance by youngsters in a trapeze ballet. The event was scaled back, we were told, out of respect for the residents of the southern part of the country who were being ravaged by Hurricane Gustav.
The sponsor of the luncheon, Dominion Power, said they contributed $25,000 to the Red Cross and would send more if necessary. Mark Supple, an alternate delegate, tells me he was a juggler in the Florida State University circus with the founder and owner of this very unique center.
Supple's is a special agent doing criminal investigations with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. He has never really been involved in politics and is thoroughly enjoying this gig. Like all of us, he can’t wait to get to the convention.
On the bus, Phil Baker-Shenk came up with the song title “Sarah-a-bration Times”. Now we are trying to come up with lyrics to the tune “Celebrate” by Kool and The Gang. Suggestions can be posted on this blog.
Inside Xcel, the security is tight. It’s wall-to-wall politicians and observers.
From a distance, I spy Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah across the room, but am unable to catch up before he disappears through another set of doors. My disappointment is short-lived as I am down on the floor of the convention and meet Kansas Congressman Todd Tiahrt. He asks about Governor Bob Ehrlich and his attendance. I state he is not expected , as he is very busy with work and family.
I am floor leader, so I have an assigned seat on the end of the row with a telephone attached to the seat in front of me. If the light blinks. it is my responsibility to answer it and forward onto the delegation any instructions that are relayed. I have no idea where the phone is connected or who will call or why. But I periodically look to see if there is blinking going on.
The seats are tight with not much leg room, but we have a pretty decent location about 150 rows back from the stage, very close to the CNN, Fox and NBC television news sets. As matter of fact, CNN announcer Wolf Blitzer could be heard commenting while we bowed our heads in opening prayer. Alternate delegate Gloria Murphy reports from her section that she saw Mary Matalin, GOP political pundit. “She is more appealing in person than on TV,” Gloria said. I did manage to get the autograph of newscaster Tom Brokaw on my version of “The Rules of the Republican Party.”
There were appearances by First Lady Laura Bush and Cindy McCain, at which making a plea for relief to assist the hurricane victims. Gulf Coast governors made remarks via satellite, sending best wishes and demonstrating the perseverance of the American spirit.
By the way, today is my baby daughter's birthday – she is 26. Happy birthday, Kara Maria. I love you.
-- Carmen Amedori
Carmen Amedori, 52, is a resident of Westminster and was a state delegate representing Carroll County from 1998 to 2004, when she was appointed by then-Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. to serve on the Maryland Parole Commission. A native of Baltimore and graduate of Villa Julie College, Amedori worked as a paralegal and journalist while raising two daughters, before entering the world of politics. She was one of the few elected officials in Maryland who supported John McCain when he ran for president in 2000, and was an alternate delegate at that year's convention. Her backing has not wavered, and this year, Amedori is the Western Maryland regional director for McCain. She has also been cleared to be a surrogate — meaning she has the blessing to speak on McCain’s behalf when called upon.
Cheryl Miller, 55, and her husband, Michael, coordinate the Volunteers for Obama office in Anne Arundel County. She is an Annapolis resident and mother of two who runs a home-based event planning business. Despite studying political science at Lycoming College in Pennsylvania, Miller was not particularly involved in politics until this year. She was invited to a fund-raiser last fall, and soon found herself immersed in the Obama campaign, working phone banks and traveling to Ohio and Pennsylvania to door-knock. This will be her first convention.