Convention Joy!

Well, we are back in Bowling Green now, but I am still very excited about all the activities I got to take part in this past week.
The convention hall was packed Thursday night for John McCain’s speech. Leading up to his speech, there was still a lot of excitement for Sarah Palin, but when Cindy McCain started to speak, without script in front of her, John McCain became the focal point. His speech was fantastic and one that should go down in history. His love for America and contentment with who he is and who he is working for, the people of America, are all traits that must be admired. I couldn’t agree with my mom more: after that speech how could anyone vote for Barack Obama over John McCain. I know many people will disagree with me, but I am prepared to convince everyone to vote for the McCain/Palin ticket.
Oh, and to get the night started on the right foot, I found Mike Huckabee and got my picture with him :) The week couldn’t have ended any better than a picture with the former governor and the McCain speech.
The trip was more than I expected and I think I could talk about it for the next 10 hours. Even the flight home was eventful, as we found ourselves on the same flight as Senator McConnell.
I hope everyone reading this blog is taking the time to see who the man John McCain is, and realizing the confidence we can put in him as our next President.
Professor Lasley presented me with an opportunity of a lifetime and I’d like to thank him for letting us learn in this manner. And to everyone else who helped plan and create this trip, thanks as well. I know that for the next few weeks, I will be smiling because of this past week.

Get Ready Cause Here We Come

That is my announcement to the rest of America, because I feel like all four of us are so fired up we feel like we can accomplish anything! After being in an environment where everyone is so excited and energized you can't help but begin to feel the same way. I can now admit that I am actually a democrat, Yes, that's right. I voted for Hillary in the primary. I am still a little bitter it is Obama and not Hillary as the Democratic Nominee. But--I can honestly say, I am going to vote for McCain/Palin in November 2008. I was unsure before I came to the convention who I was going to vote for. And I really do consider myself a Moderate, able to see both sides on different issues, which is why I didn't care which convention I went to, and I just so happen to end up at the RNC. Now, I will say though I will be watching the debates very closely and that's not to say my opinion can't change before Novemeber, but I was very impressed with Sarah Palin. The fact that she is a women pushed my decision to the right side more than anything, but I just have good vibes from her. I like her. But I must say this was one of the best experiences I have ever had in my life. I learned so much about politics, politicians and my love for them both. I wouldn't have wanted to go on this trip with anyone else than Kaylee, Shane and John. We all got along really well and genuinely enjoyed each others company. I loved the conversations we had about politics, analyzing the speeches on the bus ride home, what we wanted to do with our lives after college and our point of views on multiple issues. Most of the time we didn't agree, but we all respected each other and listened to the other's opinion. Thank you'll for that. I am rarely around people that respect opinions other than their own. And the biggest thanks goes to Dr. Lasley. Not only did he make sure I didn't get hit by cars/buses/light rails, he added historical information to almost every place we went. He knew what needed to be said at just the right time. He allowed us to be independent and gave us our space, but was right there with us every step of this trip. Again--I can't emphasize how informative/educational/enjoyable this trip was. Thank you to all who made it possible for us to attend and have a great time. I already can't wait for four more years to go by and go to the convention again!
Right before we board the plane on our way home with Mitch McConnell. We all have on our favorite political shirt we bought while on our trip.

AH

Wading in Balloons

This week has been a truly amazing experience. The endless running between events has definitely taken a toll on our bodies, but not our spirit. Rather, we have become enthralled with the RNC and the ideas it has supported. Balloons and confetti topped off a perfect night and week. With a more complete final post to come, here is a picture that displays the conclusion of what was a truly monumental occasion.

Balloons were waist deep on the convention floor……….

JMC

The Big Mac

The long awaited acceptance speech came tonight of course not without its own set of indoor fireworks. His wife Cindy McCain introduced him in the longest speech she has given in this campaign. Prior to him taking the stage we watched a McCain biography video. Then, out came the big guy. Short in stature, he was towering over the crowd as he owned the catwalk he seemingly glided across. After a few hecklers being tackled, and Code Pink, the terrorist organization, getting their moment of lime light, McCain established himself and his principles while forming his platforms and positions. He really defined what he was going to do. He declared, "The party of Roosevelt, Reagan, and Lincoln, we need to get back to basics!" He owned the night. It was a spine chilling evening being so close to the next president and vice president, on the convention floor. As always, I will allow the Photos to finish the story for me.

Henry Kissinger

Mac and Momma Mac

SAN

The end is only the beginning...

As I look back on the McCain speech tonight, my immediate reaction is that of closure and completion of a week long voyage from Bowling Green, KY to Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota. When in actuality this is the beginning, not only politically, but personally. While in the Twin Cities we have all harnessed and developed different skills of our own, from being more aggressive photographically to being able to better predict the next move a campaign will make. This week has been an experience of great self exploration and political development. We have gained a mass amount of knowledge and understanding of the entire political process from the individual to the party to the population. As for the personal development, I have made two new friends and got to know two others so much better. The individuals on this trip have made it the pleasurable experience it has been. They are all very individual people and all have bright futures ahead. They are truly remarkable young people that we will all see great thing from in the coming years. In closure I would just like to say Thanks to all of those who made this trip possible, for all of the donations to help curb travel costs to all of you reading our thoughts on our trip, to Dr. Scott Lasley for keeping an eye on all of us making sure we don't step in front of the light rail. As much fun as it has been, I can't wait to be back in BG, see ya soon Nickel.

John Carter
Allie Hembree
Shane Noem
Dr. Scott Lasley
Kaylee Carnahan

Thanks Everybody and God Bless,

SAN

The Stage Is Set

The balloons and confetti have dropped on the Republican National Convention. We will be making our final posts this weekend when we get back to Bowling Green. We will also be posting more pictures so please come back on Sunday and Monday to check them out.

"Drill Baby Drill" and "Zero"

When we walked into the convention yesterday, we were all a bit tired from our week of many activities. But let me tell you, when the speakers began and the Convention goers filed in, any sign of tiredness was replaced with excitement. There were lots of minority speakers that told their stories of how Republicans have worked hard for them, and then of course came Michael Steele. His speech was firey and riveting, and most of all began a chant that lasted the rest of the night "Drill Baby Drill." His enthusiasm for the energy independence plan Republicans will bring to the White House and his enthusiasm for the McCain ticket transformed the convention hall into an exciting place. Then, next up we had Mike Huckabee, who we have seen speak for the last three days and once again talked of his status as a fighter for John McCain. Today we will probably not see Huckabee speak anywhere :( Then, Mayor Giuliani came out on the stage. The New Yorker made sure everyone knows that the Washington today is liberal and the change we need is to the McCain/Palin conservativism. He also touched on the executive experience that in Barack Obama and Joe Biden's ticket is "Zero, Zero, Zero" (the other favored chant of the night.) With Giuliani having a humored speech and excitement in the air, Sarah Palin walked on to the stage to a boisterous crowd. I would say the cheering lasted for atleast 1 1/2 minutes before she could get a word out. She first introduced her beautiful family and in them I see the family values and love that I think America needs. Then she got to her experience and her knowledge of what needs to be done. She took on the media that has been trying to take her on and did it successfully. The hall was pumped up through the whole thing. America needed Sarah Palin to introduce herself and let everyone know what she is about, and that she did last night... very well. When her family joined her on the stage, loud applause follwed. When John McCain joined her on the stage to tell everyone this is why my campaign made the decision we did, louder applause followed. Following her speech, RNC delegates and guests are very excited and can't wait to hear what John McCain will say tonight.

But before we head back to the convention, it's souvenier shopping and a reception for Republicans for the Environment.

KC

Convention Speakers

Here is another video I made about Convention Speakers I have seen this week.

AH

You Go Girl!

Sarah Palin taking in all her supporters!

Shane and I with Secretary of State Trey Grayson.

You Go Girl! That is really what I wanted to tell Sarah Palin tonight. She rocked that convention hall. Sarah has let nothing stand in her way, and I don't think she ever will. This woman is incredible. Her poise and confidence is envious. I am so excited to have Sarah Palin as our Vice Presidential nominee. She is a strong and courageous woman who knows what she is doing. I was so glad I got to hear her speak and really hear from her personally, what she plans to do as our next Vice President. I am also excited I have heard so many wonderful women speak this week.

AH

Wow...

All I can say about tonight is wow. Tonight was an amazing night, we arrived at theExcel center shortly after 6:00 cst. where we took our seats for a while. Mitt Romney delivered a great warm up speech to get the crowd awake. Next followed Huckabee taking swings at Biden, saying that Palin received more votes while running for Mayor of Wasilla, Alaska then Joe Biden did in his run for President of the U.S.  Next was Rudy. Rudy was very fiery and exciting, attacking Obama by name and setting the stage for a Palin appearance. During my experiences on the floor tonight, I was fortunate to be around some of the greatest Ky politicians we have. The highlight of the night was Governor Palin's speech and the suprise visit by John McCain. It was also a great experience to see each state declare their delegate's votes. I will let the pictures tell the rest of the story. 

SAN

The Future of the Arts & Arts Education in America

The thing I was most excited about yesterday was the Panel Discussion we went to promoting the arts in schools. I am a huge promoter of the arts, so this was a great event to attend. Not only was I excited about just the discussion but the fact that Mike Huckabee, Debbie Allen, and John Rich from Big and Rich were all featured speakers of the event. I was glad to hear Mike Huckabee has really pushed the arts in schools and I love Debbie Allen, she is a choreographer on one of my favorite shows "So you think you can dance". Also John Rich from Big and Rich a very successful songwriter had a great story about how the arts has helped him become who he is. I love this whole discussion because I know from my point of view the arts has helped me so much in life. Being in theatre has helped me become confident on camera and in front of people, painting has made me think creatively and from a whole new perspective, singing has allowed me to learn about different styles of music which reflect different cultures we have in this world, dance has allowed me to expressively move to reflect myself. The arts has made me who I am today, and all the speakers that spoke yesterday know that arts are so important, and they want to push to have the arts integrated into school's curriculum and I think it is so wonderful. I don't consider myself a history, math or science whiz but I love the arts and when I found that I was good at arts it makes you excited to be at school and go to dance class or choir. Debbie Allen discussed the fact that so many students are dropping out of school because they don't feel like they fit in anywhere because they don't feel like they are good at anything, but by offering arts to students and mandating students take art classes when they are younger and allow them to build on arts skills as they go through school will allow students to become proud of themselves and see that they are capable of great things. I think this is so important. It may have just been a small part of our group's day yesterday, but it made the biggest impact on me.

Sarah Palin

The excitement for Sarah Palin is immeasurable. The party has not been more thrilled for one single candidate like they are for Sarah Palin. There is a sense of mystery that makes her intriguing, a sense of pride, and a sense of juvenility that has everyone fired up from the youth to the veteran convention goers. Palin has the experience and the down to earth common sense we need in the White House. She is a breath of fresh air and Fred Thompson stated last night. We will be on the convention floor tonight as the first Republican female accepts her nomination to be the Vice President of the United Sates of America.

You can be sure that there will be picture and stories to share.