Minneapolis

Minneapolis is an interesting city. In the early 1990s when all the problems in Somalia occurred, President Clinton made a deal with the gov. of Minnesota to take in Somalian refugees. As I understand it, the people got on planes and did not know where they were going until the plane doors opened up in Minneapolis. Some 60,000 plus were relocated here. As a result Minneapolis has the largest concentration of Somalians in the United States. St. Paul has a huge concentration of Hmongs in the U.S. The area that I am staying in (and the North Carolina and New Mexico delegations) is very diverse due the the large number of Somalians and Ethiopians. In addition, we are across the street from the University of Minnesota West Bank campus.

The light rail system here in Minneapolis is wonderful. We are about 2 blocks from the nearest station. I took it out the the Mall of America yesterday. That is one of those places that one has to go visit just to say you were there. It is a huge shopping mall with an amusement park in the middle. The same with the State Fair. It was a fun evening and a wonderful fair. How could one not go and eat dinner on a stick.

Last night I successfully "crashed" the Medial Party -- that makes three conventions three crashes. The food was outstanding and of course the liquid refreshments were very liquid. It was a huge event, over two buildings, a tent, and a closed street.

Some friendly folks at the Media Party -- Sens. Lindsay Graham and Norm Coleman and my friend Nancy Mazza

View from the balcony at the Guthrie Theater, one of the sites of the Media Party.

We are still uncertain as to what is going to happen in the next several days because of the hurricane. It has been reported that President Bush and VP Chaney will not be here. Also the Governors of Mississippi, Florida, Louisiana, and Texas will not be here. We all are praying for the folks in these states and hope that it comes ashore as a tropical storm instead of a Cat 5. Rightfully so, the shape and tone of the convention is going to change. We have business that has to be accomplished and that will be done. But the celebratory nature of the convention will be muted.

The buzz on the nomination of Sarah Palin is very high. Everyone I have talked with are pleased with the selection. It is going to help to energize our grass roots and help us with volunteers. She has a record of being a strong conservative, a life long member of the NRA, good family values, and who doesn't like a woman who sells the state plane on Ebay?