Cindy McCain, Giuliani to speak to S.C. delegation

Cindy McCain, the wife of Republican nominee-to-be John McCain, and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani will speak to the S.C. delegation this week during its breakfast meetings. The S.C. delegation has no scheduled breakfast speaker for today. More speakers could be added, but many top Republicans are skipping the convention, as Hurricane Gustav threatens the Gulf Coast. Giuliani also sought the Republican presidential nomination and visited S.C. several times. Giuliani was for most of the primary season the largest Republican fundraiser in S.C. Giuliani withdrew from the presidential race in February and endorsed McCain.

Abbreviated convention cuts Sanford speech

Gov. Mark Sanford will not speak at the Republican National Convention after being added the schedule Friday.

Hurricane Gustav prompted Republican presidential nominee-to-be John McCain has to order a shortened program at the St. Paul convention Monday.  Sanford was added to the speakers schedule Friday to take the place of Texas Gov. Rick Perry, who is not attending the convention in anticipation of the storm, which could hit Texas in the Gulf Coast.

 

Fowler caught on camera talking GOP, Gustav

The Web site Redstate.com has posted a video capturing former Democratic National Committee Chairman Dow Fowler saying the hurricane threatening the Gulf Coast during the Republican National Convention demonstrates "God is on (Democrats) side."

Hurricane Gustav could hit land early Tuesday morning, as the first day of the Republican Convention ends. Fowler points out the irony of the hurricane possibly hitting during the GOP convention. The Bush administration was heavily criticized for a slow-footed response to Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

Sanford will speak at GOP convention

Gov. Mark Sanford will speak at the Republican National Convention Monday, filling in for Texas Gov. Rick Perry who will be watching the approach of Tropical Storm Gustav.

The storm is expected to strengthen to a hurricane and could land along the Gulf coast early next week.

Perry, recently chosen to head the Republican Governor's Association, was to speak on the group's behalf. Instead, Sanford has agreed to fill the spot. Sanford is active in the RGA, which promotes GOP policies and candidates, having led a record-breaking fundraising drive this year.

Also scheduled to speak is U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina. Graham will speak Thursday, on the day John McCain will accept the nomination and the convention will close.

S.C. Republicans enthusiastic about Palin

Republican presidential nominee-to-be John McCain today announced his running mate, Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska.

Top S.C. Republicans hailed the pick.

“Republicans in South Carolina are extremely excited to rally behind the McCain-Palin ticket. Sarah Palin is an outstanding selection to be America’s next vice president. She is a strong pro-life, pro-family conservative who fights for the values that make America great.”   

                        -- Katon Dawson, S.C. Republican Party Chairman

Sarah Palin is an exciting choice by Senator McCain. She completes a strong ticket that will bring a real record of change and reform to Washington. Governor Palin is a strong conservative with executive experience who has cut wasteful spending, opposed earmarks and shown courage in taking on corruption in her own party.

                       -- U.S. Sen. Jim DeMint

"For what John wants to do in Washington, he couldn't have made a better choice."

                        -- U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, to FOX News, saying Palin is a reformer who will cut taxes and hold the line on spending.

S.C. delegates react to Obama speech

The S.C. delegation reacts to Barack Obama's closing speech Thursday night.

"Barack Obama's message was incredible. It was a unifying message regardless of what party you claim. Not only did he display why he is a change candidate, but he (also) clearly explained what change actually means. He laid out specific, bold visionary plans that will help the average American live out the American Dream. He was clear, specific, authentic, committed and inspiring. I have never heard a better speech in my lifetime."

                                                            -- Anton Gunn, Columbia

"It was very exciting to witness history .. The phrases 'ownership society means your on your own' and 'I am not prepared to take a 10 percent chance on change' are what I will remember the most.
The campaign also had phone bank tables set up every night at every venue. The attention to detail is amazing."

                                                 -- Kevin S. Mertens

"Like Moses who got the children of Israel to the river and gave Joshua the charge to take the children into the promised land and like Dr. Martin Luther King who brought us to the mountain top, the torch has been passed to Sen. Barack Obama to take us to the next level. We're going into the 21st century fired up and ready to go."

                      -- Richland County Councilwoman Joyce Dickerson

"It was a very powerful speech that dealt with all the controversial issues. I'm especially pleased he addressed the education issues."

                                    -- Former S.C. Gov. Dick Riley of Greenville

S.C. Republicans will air McCain ad at convention

The S.C. Republican Party will air a TV ad answering Democrats attacks on presidential nominee-to-be John McCain's for not being able to answer a question posed to him by a reporter about the number of homes he owns.

The S.C. Republicans will air the ad during the in the Minneapolis area during the GOP convention next week. The ad will include footage of McCain at the Hanoi Hilton, during his time as a POW during the Vietnam War.

Republican Party chairman Katon Dawson said Democrats wanted to "smear" McCain.

S.C. switchgrass as an alternative fuel?

U.S. House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn said switchgrass, a prevalent plant in his home state of South Carolina, should be further studied as an alternative fuel source.

Tuesday, Clyburn and other Democratic leaders held a press conference at Denver's Union Station about exploring alternative fuel sources.

Protesters chanted, "Drill now!" and "Drill here!" as speakers took to the podium. U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi responded: "Right here? You want to drill right here? Can we drill your brains?"

Clyburn took a less confrontational approach in dealing with protesters, telling them he believed in treating everybody with dignity and respect, even those with whom you do not agree.

Read, set, shop. It's souvenir time

So many merchandise vendors, so little time.
On Thursday’s final day of the Democratic National Convention in Denver, business was brisk at Invesco Field for those wanting anything and everything related to presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama.

Buttons? Expect to pay about $3 each, with discounts when buying in bulk.

T-shirts? About $25.

Something more distinctive? The Original Presidential Roast coffee was a popular pick, just $10.

Several vendors boasted being “official” -- but what exactly does that mean in a town with merchandise stands on every corner?

The “Official Obama Store” gives proceeds back to Barack Obama’s presidential campaign. Seven were set up at Invesco Field Thursday.

And“Official DNC Convention Merchandise” benefits the Democratic National Committee.

But such distinctions didn’t seem to matter much to shoppers Thursday at Invesco, who just wanted to take home a piece of history.

And were willing to pay for it.

-- Dawn Kujawa, dkujawa@thestate.com

S.C. Democrats hob nob with the stars

Better than the free food, better than the action on the convention floor is all the celebrities S.C. delegates are hanging with. Wednesday and Thursday, delegates attended events and parties with actor Danny Glover, singer/actress Jennifer Lopez, singer Cyndi Lauper, actress Ashley Judd, singer Kanye West and more.

Democratic political consultant Bud Ferillo of Columbia sat in the  Biden box at the Pepsi Center Wednesday night with the extended family of vice presidential pick Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware. Singer Melissa Etheride performed before the national delegation at Wednesday's convention.