Martinez Tells GOP Convention McCain Is Prepared To Lead in Dangerous World

Posted Sep 4, 2008 by Billy House

Updated Sep 4, 2008 at 08:28 PM

With Hispanic voters in Florida and nationally seen as a key to the presidential race, Sen. Mel Martinez Thursday night took the Republican National Convention stage to describe John McCain as the candidate best prepared to be president “in a dangerous world.”

“This is not a time for on-the-job-training,” said Martinez, referring to Barack Obama as “a relative newcomer on the national scene and an unproven quantity on the global stage.”

“The challenges and dangers we face in this uncertain world call for strong leadership, and a clear understanding of the threats we face, and how to meet and beat them,” said Martinez. “Only one man is qualified to meet the current challenges across the globe. Only one man has a history of always putting country first.”

“That man is John McCain,” said Martinez.

Martinez, the first Cuban-American U.S. senator, was one a handful of speakers given prime spots leading up to McCain’s presidential nomination acceptance speech.

Martinez’ 11th-hour support of John McCain just prior to Florida’s Jan. 29 primary helped boost McCain to victory in that state. Showcasing his support of McCain Thursday night comes as the simmering immigration debates in Congress have hurt the GOP’s standing with Hispanics.

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Palin Visit Off—Probably; Now Hillary’s Coming

Posted Sep 4, 2008 by William March

Updated Sep 4, 2008 at 03:24 PM

There has been confusion surrounding a planned or suggested visit by Sarah Palin to Tampa Monday, but it’s apparently off.

Instead, Hillary Clinton will campaign in Tampa Monday for Barack Obama.

Local McCain campaign officials leaked plans for a Palin visit earlier this week—prematurely, according to the campaign. Yesterday, the visit was said to be still possible but in question.

Today, Hillsborough McCain Co-Chair Greg Truax said there will be no visit, but Sen. Mel Martinez was quoted in the Miami Herald as saying Palin will visit Miami, Boca Raton and Tampa Monday, hurricanes willing. Truax could respond only that no planning—seeking a venue, for example—is being done for a Tampa visit.

We’re provide clarification when we get it, but presidential campaigns work on notoriously short notice, and plans change minute-to-minute.

Meanwhile, Mark Bubriski confirms Hillary Clinton will make a campaign stop in Tampa Monday—“details unconfirmed,” he added.

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Energetic Signs Exalt Palin During Her Speech

Posted Sep 3, 2008 by Billy House

Updated Sep 4, 2008 at 09:48 AM

  Here are some of the well-orchestrated messages on signs and placards being waved across the convention hall as Sarah Palin gives her speech.

  “Palin Power” (There’s a lot of these)

  “Drill Now”

  “Energy Independence”

  Hmm. Seems to be a theme here.

 

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Palin Accepts Nomination, As Florida delegates Excitedly Wave Orange Scarfs

Posted Sep 3, 2008 by Billy House

Updated Sep 3, 2008 at 10:51 PM

 
  Sara Palin is giving her acceptance speech right now at the Republican National Convention.

  “I accept the call to help our nominee for president to serve and defend America. I accept the challenge of a tough fight in this election… against confident opponents ... at a crucial hour for our country,” she opened.

She went on: “And I accept the privilege of serving with a man who has come through much harder missions ... and met far graver challenges ... and knows how tough fights are won - the next president of the United States, John S. McCain.”

  Later, she provided this “little news flash for all those reporters and commentators.”

  “I’m not going to Washington to seek their good opinion - I’m going to Washington to serve the people of this country. Americans expect us to go to Washington for the right reasons, and not just to mingle with the right people.”

  As she speaks, there seems to be a bit of a competition between the orange-scarf-waving Florida delegates and the cowboy-hat-tipping Texas delegates to display the most energy in support of Palin. There are more Texans seated at the convention, but the orage scarfs are striking in a sea of red, white and blue.

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Palin Talks Energy, including Drilling, In Speech Tonight

Posted Sep 3, 2008 by Billy House

Updated Sep 3, 2008 at 07:09 PM

Excerpts just released of Sarah Palin’s vice presidential nomination speech later tonigh include remarks on oil drilling. Here’s what she says:

“Our opponents say, again and again, that drilling will not solve all of America’s energy problems - as if we all didn’t know that already.”

But the fact that drilling won’t solve every problem is no excuse to do nothing at all. Starting in January, in a McCain-Palin administration, we’re going to lay more pipelines…build more nuclear plants…create jobs with clean coal…and move forward on solar, wind, geothermal, and other alternative sources. We need American energy resources, brought to you by American ingenuity, and produced by American workers.”

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