The Patriot Academy Blog

My Adventure at the RNC by Kassie D.

I just returned from one of the most memorable adventures of my life. Last week, I journeyed to the great and far off land of Minnesota (or, as my northern friends say, “Mini-soda,”) for five amazing days of star-spangled life. I am a survivor of the 2008 Republican National Convention, and more in like with my party than ever before (love is still a bit strong of a word, but hey, we’ve made progress.) 

During my time in the Twin Cities I saw country music legends, armored motorcades, SWAT teams, Dum-Dum trees, elephant hats, “Palin Power” posters, and some of the greatest Republican rockstars ever to join the party, including…Abraham Lincoln. Read on for a retelling and a few photos. 

 

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

 

Day 1 – Fly in to Minneapolis with my sister, Kristin. See old campaign friends, mostly now on staff at HuckPac. Go to hotel. Stay up too late catching up over pizza. Go to sleep. The fun has just begun. 

 

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

 

Day 2 – Wake up. Convention doesn’t start until evening, and Gustav has us totally in the dark on schedule, so we grin and get to work. Work on the guest list for the HuckPac party tomorrow night, called “A Little Straight Rock.” Meet up with Aubrie Johnson, (former Huckabee staffer, PA ’08 grad and dear friend) and go to dinner. Attend private fundraiser hosted by Mayor Guiliani on a downtown rooftop. Listen to a great speech by Mrs. Huckabee, Red Cross worker, requesting donations to the Red Cross. Mrs. Huckabee is awesome. Mayor Guiliani did a nice job, too. Stay up too late again, go to bed. BIG DAY TOMORROW. 

 

 

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Day 3 – Wake up with a big, “Happy Birthday, Aubrie!” Our lovely lady turned 24. Yay! Gustav is mellowing, so it looks like events are more or less on. Happy news.

Head to venue to set up for HuckPac event tonight. Meet up with all staff and go over evening logistics. Continue work on endless guest list. Head to Cosi (best cafe ever) for a quick lunch and birthday s’mores for Miss Aubs. Go to Target to pick up last minute supplies for event, including silver Sharpie destined to be held by Josh Turner in a few short hours. Sweet. 

Head to convention with Aubrie as an escort to Mrs. Huckabee. Stop by the Arkansas delegation, where Aunt Pat (Governor Huckabee’s sister) films all three of us for her Fox News blog. Fun. Head up to guest suite, head out shortly thereafter.

 

 

 

(Ooh, that’s the ceiling of the convention center, where they keep the balloons. I think it’s a magic ceiling.)  

 

 

On our way to the event, enjoy the old campaign “I’m not stressing, I’m just extremely alert” feel of creating a DVD of sponsorship logos in the space of a car ride, improvising on the logos. Arrive at venue, deliver DVD, set up check in table, say hi to bouncers, put on all access pass, get ready to credential all guests, VIPs and costumed attendees, GO. 

Event is awesome. Governor Huckabee and his band, Capitol Offense, rock the house with their renditions of old Country/Motown favorites such as “Sweet Home Alabama” and “Johnny B Goode.” Also starring are Jeff Cook, founding member of Alabama, and Josh Turner, THE Josh Turner. Attendance hits over 1000, with special guest appearances by Uncle Sam and Lady Liberty. (Unfortunately, photo was not captured of these guests. My apologies.) 

 

 

 

Find seats to people watch, drink seriously overpriced soda, and listen to some star-spangled speeches. As opening acts, there are the usual highly practiced, over-perfected and politely applauded speakers. After Mitt Romney is done, it is finally time. Governor Mike Huckabee takes the stage. 

 

 

Seeing my old boss graciously stand there in front of 20,000 people who represent the country he sacrificed for, I feel an unexpected heaviness. It didn’t have to be this way. Instead of a six minute speaker, he could have been the nominee. Not this time. But as my sister, fellow staffers and I softly smile at each other, we somehow know. It is sad, but it is okay. God had – has – a plan. And until it comes to be, at least we can admire our Gov and his seriously great tie. 

 

 

As each speaker walks on and off, with each applause and cheer, the excitement grows. The later it gets, the more the air fills with an electricity that is sparking even the crustiest of delegates. Our new vice presidential candidate, Governor Sarah Palin, is almost here. 

 

 

Watching the Palin speech is unforgettable. My granddaughter will read about Sarah Palin’s acceptance of the nomination of vice presidential candidate of the Republican party and say, “Wow, I wish I could have been there!” I will be able to smile and say, “Sweetie, I was there. And it was as amazing as it seems.” Our beloved lady governor rocks it. She is clear, she is funny and she is fearless. She talks straight and hits hard, clearly delineating between the experience of McCain and the rhetoric of Obama. She introduces her family with pride and delivers the biggest laugh line of the night:

“The only difference between a hockey mom and a pitbull? Lipstick.”  

 

 

She shows our party and the world that she’s here to fight, no backing down, getting out or giving in. She’s our new candidate, the new face of the Republican party, and one I love getting to “meet,” along with 20,000 of my closest friends. 

 

 

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

 

I loved my time in St. Paul. I loved seeing the balloons. I loved catching up with old friends. I loved feeling the convention energy. I loved “meeting” Sarah. But most of all, I loved finally seeing my political party reunite. Sure, the convention was colored by raging anarchists and Code Pink protesters, but that’s not what mattered. By the balloon drop, the clashes had faded and we were left with a growing sense of unity.

We have our disagreements. We have our differences. We have our embarrassing members. But we are a party – a family. We are Republicans. We love life. We defend family. We protect the innocent. We uphold the Constitution. We guard our rights. We lower taxes. We dig drilling. We die for freedom. 

I have always been glad for the Republican party and happy to be a member. But after the RNC, I am proud to declare myself a pro-God, pro-gun, pro-life, pro-family, fiscally/socially conservative, Texas-to-the-heart, McCain/Palin-voting, young, evangelical Republican. This is my party. This is me. I am proud to be a Republican and prouder still, with all that I am, I am proud to be an American. 

Thanks, RNC. See you in 4. 

Kassie