While I attempted to rest Buster attended the Quest Reception for the Arizona Delegates. Once again, very impressive. I've taught him how to photograph ice sculptures and food, because that's more important than politicians and stuff like that.
I headed to the Convention Center about an hour late, but it was fine because just like yesterday it took them while to get going. I was feeling surly tonight and didn’t want to sit thru more unnecessary speeches.
On the walk over to the convention, I encountered numerous demonstrators. I plan to have a blog posting dedicated to all the protesters I’ve photographed over the past week. There were plenty.
I stood in a line approximately a city block long to get thru the security check. There’s always a line, but because I was going in late I had to wait with all the other last minute people. Buster had gone in already, so I didn’t have my bodyguard.
The convention was moving right along once I got into my seat, and unfortunately the balcony was FULL this time, instead of the usual ghost town atmosphere that I’d been enjoying all week. Everyone was there to see Palin.
I walked by an area and noticed the ENORMOUS equipment in the balcony, I am assuming they're cameras:
Obviously I wasn't trying very hard to get great photos, because I was feeling pretty awful and all I wanted to do is sit in the balcony and space off.
We enjoyed great speeches from Romney, Huckabee, and several others, but the place just about blew the roof off when it was time for Palin. We watched her family get escorted to the seating below our balcony, and the two very enthusiastic young guys next to me were literally giddy over seeing Palin’s husband Tony in person. Giddy.
Her speech was strong, she stood her ground, and it was fun to watch. She mentioned her critics, like MSNBC. As if on cue, the delegates behind the Arizonans on the floor began pointing to the photographers and chanting, “MSNBC! MSNBC!” It was as if they were saying “Shame on you!”
I watched the journalists turn around at the suddenly hostile crowd, confused, as if they were shocked that anyone would criticize anything they had to bitch about on national t.v.
John Kyl appeared with the Arizona delegates for a time:
Directly across the convention center, during Palin’s speech, I saw a flurry of activity. A female protester had managed to push her way past a security guard and she was tumbling and running down the stairs toward the stage. She was stopped by Secret Service at the bottom of the stairs, merely 15 feet away from the stage. Palin didn’t seem to notice because it was pretty much behind her.
She finished her very powerful speech and then brought her family on the stage to introduce them. Of course we all had eyes on the 17 year old’s baby bump…ooooh…..
Then Palin took her baby from her husband, and held him against her chest. When she turned away from the crowd the baby’s eyes had opened up. What a doll.
Then McCain walked out. To a crowd like ours, it was as if Jesus had popped out from behind the curtain. The place just came unglued. Cheers went on and on for several minutes, and finally when McCain had us calmed down he said only a few words and then retreated to the back stage area. Buster's photos of McCain were all blurry, this one was the best. Perhaps his hands were trembling???
Gretchen Wilson and company came out to sing, but it was mostly lost on me because I was still shocked about McCain coming out like that. The second performer was a country singer and I have no idea what his name was. Oh, Buster just told me it's John Rich, from Big and Rich.
He sang the Raising McCain song and we all rocked out like good little McCain worshippers.
The official business portion of the convention Wednesday was roll call, where the states individually cast their votes for the candidates. Here's Secretary of State Jan Brewer casting Arizona's 53 votes. She had a wall of media in front of her.
Leaving the Convention Center we were freezing our pitooties off, because the weather in St Paul has turned dramatically. We met up with a couple of girls who called themselves the Media Whores, so I took a photo with them.
We ate a quick dinner at MIDNIGHT in the hotel's restaurant, and while we were eating Chris Matthews came in and sat nearby. I hear from people that he was pissed about what Palin said during her speech. Isn't he always pissed, though?
