Anti-war protesters challenge McMaster again

An anti-war protester disrupted the beginning of Republican nominee John McCain's speech.

The man, who was escorted out by security after a few minutes, held up a black sign that read "you can't win an occupation."

Delegates chanted "U-S-A," drowning out the protester.

S.C. Attorney General Henry McMaster is responsible for security on the convention floor.

"Barracuda" an inspired music choice.

Republican National Convention organizers Thursday night chose an inspired piece of music to follow a stemwinder about vice presidential nominee, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.

After Utah Gov. John Huntsman sang Palin's praises, Heart's "Barracuda" kicked into high gear.

Sarah Barracuda is what Palin's friends nicknamed her in gradeschool.

Later, the choices of "Footloose" and "Centerfield" seemed less appropriate for their moment.

S.C. delegation has security issues

Security for a scheduled gathering honoring Cindy McCain today disrupted South Carolina delegation plans.

Secret Service had to sweep the third floor in advance of McCain's arrival, but that meant South Carolina's delegates were left waiting before their breakfast featuring former Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael Steele.
ETV radio staff almost missed their show this morning, as the sweep began minutes before they were scheduled to go on air.

S.C. delegation masters the talking points

South Carolina Republican leaders are making sure state delegates have been prepped to meet the press.

Through e-mail and other methods, delegates have been coached on how to respond to questions from reporters about the campaign.

Drilling Pumps Up Crowd

Convention organizers leave very little to chance, even scripting and spurring cheers by delegates on the convention floor.
But former Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael Steele prompted an improvised cheer -- one that may be the most suggestive in convention history.
Urging lawmakers to start exploring for more oil within the United States, Steele called out to "drill, baby, drill!"
Delegates followed suit and turned it into the most lustful chant of the evening.

South Carolina: Still A Great State

They had to wait a little longer, but South Carolina finally got to tout itself and cast its votes for U.S. Sen. John McCain.
House Speaker Bobby Harrell did the honors, but only after deferring on the first run-through so Arizona could cast the votes that officially gave McCain the nomination.
Noting the state's reputation for selecting Republican nominees, its military population and love of college football (Gamecocks named first), Harrell pledged the state's 24 delegate votes for McCain.

Palin Gets An Assist

Lauded by bloggers for not using a TelePrompTer when she was announced as a vice presidential running mate last week, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin had one in place during Wednesday's speech in Minneapolis.
She ad-libbed a few lines (the one about the pit bull and the lip stick) and got a hand on what words to emphasize.
She also had some help with a pet peeve pronunciation of President George W. Bush. Bush pronounces the atomic energy source and weapon of mass destruction as nuke-u-lar. The TelePrompTer and the speech copy sent out to reporters had the word spelled new-clear, just to make sure Palin got it correct.

Protesters Disrupt Palin's Speech

Republican Convention security detained and ejected two members of the anti-war group Code Pink after they stood up and began yelling during Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's speech Wednesday.
After struggling with the protesters for a few moments, RNC security had to physically remove the two women.
South Carolina Attorney General Henry McMaster, who oversees security inside the convention hall, said the two California women had authentic credentials and had worked their way to the side of the stage backdrop. The women never made it on stage, McMaster said, but they did shout obscenities during the speech. As the women tried to push their way toward the stage, McMaster said, a sign language interpreter was bumped and slightly injured.
The two women were not criminally charged, McMaster said, and were warned not to return to the convention. Neither woman had a criminal record, nor were armed.
"It worked exactly the way it was supposed to work," McMaster said. "This is the only incident (during the convention)."
Convention chairman Mike Duncan declined to comment.

McCain Arrival Ups Security

Security stepped up a notch at the Minneapolis Hilton where South Carolina delegates are staying after the arrival of GOP presidential candidate John McCain.
Visitors already required badges to enter the hotel, but now police will not allow those without credential to walk down the same side of the street as the hotel -- much to the surprise of one Minneapolan trying to catch a bus home.
Some of the six elevators in the hotel have been locked down, causing longer waits to catch an elevator. One staff member pushing a cart of empty dishes waited for two elevators to arrive, only to find them both full of staff and delegates.

Hanna concern has S.C. GOP leaving convention

Some South Carolina delegates will leave Minneapolis early in advance of Tropical Storm Hanna's approach.

House Speaker Bobby Harrell, R-Charleston, will deliver South Carolina's votes for U.S. Sen. John McCain this evening, and then fly back home to South Carolina tomorrow. Gov. Mark Sanford has already left Minneapolis, and Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer was also preparing to leave.