Author: Joel Fox

Because of extensive reporting at last week’s Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minnesota, we know what the politicians and the delegates thought about the proceedings. But I wondered what a reporter might think of all the activity swirling around in the convention hall as he did his job. On one of the many long bus rides the California delegation had to take from its hotel to the convention center, I turned the tables and interviewed reporter John Myers from San Francisco’s National Public Radio station, KQED.

Myers is a respected veteran covering California politics as Sacramento Bureau Chief for KQED. In addition to his radio duties, he also blogs on politics at his Capitol Notes website.

Last week’s convention was the third one Myers covered. Previously, he reported on the Democratic Conventions in New York in 1992 and Los Angeles in 2000.

Senator John McCain accepted his party’s nomination for President in St. Paul’s Xcel Energy Center last night in front of an enthusiastic audience. However, the excitement meter was turned down a bit from the previous night when Governor Sarah Palin spoke to the convention.

McCain’s address did not provide the drama, anticipation or the curiosity that the little known governor of Alaska offered the previous night. Then again, more drama was expected from a person that the Senator’s wife, Cindy, described earlier in the evening as “a pistol packing mother of five.”

As to McCain’s speech, the reviews from the California delegation were mostly positive. McCain was lauded for his direct approach and straight talk. I was told McCain understands the need to move the government forward with 21st century ideas. Others said he delivered the speech he had to give and did it well.

Former CA Governor Pete Wilson and Former eBay CEO Meg Whitman

Secretary Rosario Marin and Assemblywoman Bonnie Garcia in the California delegation

Fred Thompson rocked the house at the Republican Convention last night in St Paul, Minnesota, but Sen. Joe Lieberman left a larger mark on the delegates at the convention.

Democrat Lieberman went farther than he was expected to go in support of Republican McCain according to a number of delegates in the hall. Despite a host of previous speakers, it fell to the Democrat Lieberman to first mention by name Democratic Presidential Nominee Barack Obama.

“Senator Obama is a gifted and eloquent young man who can do great things for our country in the years ahead. But eloquence is no substitute for a record — not in these tough times,” Lieberman said. He added, “In the Senate he has not reached across party lines to get anything significant done, nor has he been willing to take on powerful interest groups in the Democratic Party.”

With all eyes fixed on Hurricane Gustav bearing down on the Gulf Coast the Republican Convention was prepared for a quiet, uneventful, first day. Then as one reporter labeled it, the “hot story” broke–the news that presumptive Vice-presidential nominee Sarah Palin’s daughter, Bristol was pregnant. This was the number one issue for reporters to the delegates. What would the news mean to Palin’s candidacy? How will the news effect the convention? What kind of mother is Palin? Did the McCain team know and when did they know it?

The campaign’s response was that McCain knew ahead of time and that the media should leave the candidate’s children out of campaign reporting. Even Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama argued that the media should stay away from the story.

The delegates rallied around Palin. On nearly every occasion when the names of John McCain and Sarah Palin were mentioned from the podium, Palin’s name received the louder cheer.

The California RNC Delegation

Members of the California delegation to the Republican Convention in St. Paul, Minnesota responded to Senator John McCain’s request to limit convention activities the first day as Hurricane Gustav threatens the Southeastern United States. McCain wanted the focus to be on the potential natural disaster the hurricane might cause in the Gulf States, and declared that conventioneers should take their “Republican hats off and put their American hats on.”

Public Opinion Strategies pollster and GOP delegate Steve Kinney said, “This is what should happen. This is the John McCain we know. He would never put something over the interest of the country.”

Board of Equalization Member Michelle Steel understood the Senator’s motives but also emphasized that the business of the convention must go forward.