The Republican National Convention began Monday in Minneapolis-St. Paul. Four delegates from El Paso County, state Rep. Kent Lambert, County Clerk and Recorder Bob Balink, County Commissioner Wayne Williams and Colorado Attorney General John Suthers will be reporting on it in dispatches to The Gazette throughout the four-day convention.

Day 2 ended with inspiring speeches honoring Medal of Honor winners, all the men and women who are serving or have served in the U.S. military, President and Mrs. George H.W. Bush (#41), and Sen. John McCain.Laura Bush, President Bush (#43) via video feed from The White House, former Senator Fred Thompson and a history making speech by Senator Joe Lieberman were the highlights of the Day 2 evening program. Perhaps to the surprise of many, former Democrat Joe Lieberman received a very, very warm welcome which was a testiment to Sen. John McCain and the Republican Party’s belief that we must all work together to address and solve our nation’s most pressing challengess: including the war on terror, the economy, energy, and immigration.The convention and the nation now await with great anticipation vice presidential nominee Gov. Sarah Palin’s acceptance speech tonight. My suggestion is to hold on to your hats as it will be another historical moment and uplifting speech.As I write we are enjoying an early morning (emphasis on EARLY) breakfast with native Coloradan Karl Rove, former senior advisor to President Bush.Rove is currently recalling a tear jerking story about John McCain and Medal of Honor Vietnam war hero Bud Day, John McCain’s roommate at the Hanoi Hilton.Rove closed by emphasing why there is so much enthusiasm for Sen. John McCain: his character, his strength, his decency and his integrity.That’s it for now—we’ll all rest up today as we await what will be a roof raising national reception for Gov. Sarah Palin.

In this image rendered from video and provided by ABC News, vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin stands at the podium during a walk through at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn., Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2008. (AP Photo/ABC News) Photo by THE ASSOCIATED PRESS/ABC News