RNC Convention Day 1….sort of

Today was supposed to be the first day of the convention but with hurricane Issac threatening high winds and massive amounts of rain the Republican National Committee deferred events until Tuesday.  The plan was for the convention to open at 2pm with the gavel and then immediately adjourn until Tuesday. 

We in the Missouri delegation started our morning with the delegation breakfast where we received our credentials, the schedule of the days events, and listened to remarks by David Cole chair of the Missouri GOP, Former Senator Jim Talent, and Senator Roy Blunt.  Senator Talent made the point that “No war ever started because the US was too strong” and Senator Blunt made the point of “The world is a dangerous place and the President and his administration have not made it less dangerous”. 

Around 10:30am we gathered to head down to a restaurant called The Columbia in Ybor City.  It was founded in 1905 and is the oldest and largest Spanish restaurant in the United States.  There we were treated to amazing food, Sangria, and Mojito’s.  The food was absolutely amazing from lamb on sticks with bbq sauce on it to paealla to lobster croquettes, olive balls and chorizo balls.  The atmosphere was great.  The owner of the restaurant told us about it’s history and how it had grown and former Governor Matt Blunt shared his thoughts on the state of the country.  They were followed by flamenco dancing which was really neat.  First they came out and danced with sticks, then fans and then with maraca type things.  I had never experienced flamenco dancing live.  From there we headed back to afternoon naps.  Need to keep the energy level up.

Monday night found us stopping in at the Missouri delegations Hurricane Party and then down to Ybor City to the Cuban Club for an event.  We stopped briefly in the security zone.  It was a weird sensation and felt something like a police state.  There were cement barriers and groups of cops moving around fully armed.  I appreciate the police forces that are here to keep us safe but I pray to never experience this as a way of life.  The lines at the Cuban were crazy long and after waiting for about an hour we left and met up with two other patriots for some great pizza and conversation.  While waiting at The Cuban I did have the opportunity to see Byron York of the National Review, talk to Foster Friess (Santorum Supporter), and visit some with Mike Biundo(initially of the Santorum campaign and now Deputy Director of Coalitions for Romney/Ryan).  Then it was back to the hotel for a chat with friends in the delegation and then rest.  I can’t wait for things to start in earnest tomorrow.