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Show 6 REPUBLICAN NATIC First lady, Cindy McCain urge aid for Gulf Coast Wednesday, September 3,2008 result, many of the events and speakers were suspended or postponed. The Bush Administration was heavily criticized for inadequately responding to Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans in 2005. Delegates and convention-goers expected thefirstday to be quick and solemn, and for the most part it was. Chelsea Beecher, from Bluffdale, Ariz., said she didn't expect to do much celebrating as she walked into the Xcel Energy Center where the convention is being held. She was attending the convention as a guest and felt the whole situation was heartbreaking. "The whole situation is tragic" Beecher said. "It is bad for the people in Louisiana, it is bad for the people coming here." However, some excitement developed as protesters clashed with police just a few blocks away and as first lady Laura Bush and John McCain's wife, Cindy McCain, concluded the day's P.HOTO COURTESY MA JING IH>r.(kltylni>hi\t efk-umahm Program convention. Early Monday, thousands of demCindy McCain and first lady Laura Bush used their speeches at the opening night of the Republican onstrators gathered at the Minnesota National Convention to urge Americans to give aid to hurricane victims. State Capitol for a peaceful anti-war was swift and serious, but still had a rally. Later in the afternoon, a group of Jed Layton couple sparks of energy surrounding it. several hundred broke off and marched HINCKLEY INSTITUTE JOURNALISM Monday's session of the RNC was cut from the Capitol to the Xcel Center, PROGRAM back by Sen. John McCain to provide where they were halted by enforceST. PAUL, MINN.-—The first day of humanitarian relief to victims of Hurri- ment barricades, tear gas and smoke the Republican National Convention cane Gustav along the Gulf Coast. As a bombs. The protesters damaged several police vehicles and local buildings before being subdued by authorities. Various reports have cited the number of arrests ranging from seven to 50. In the Xcel Center, most delegates and convention-goers were unaware of the chaos outside and were instead focused on moving quickly through official Republican convention business and supporting hurricane relief. Both Laura Bush and Cindy McCain spoke at the convention encouraging those listening to give aid to relief organizations. "The effect of Hurricane Gustav is just now being measured," Bush said "When such events occur, we are reminded thatfirst,we are all Americans, and that our shared American ideals will always transcend political parties and partisanship." Both of their husbands were in the Gulf Coast area on Monday responding to the needs of the southern states coping with the effects of the storm, McCain backed Bush in the cause and suggested donating to Causegreater.com, a nonprofit agency dedicated to helping those affected by the hurricane. "I would ask that each one of us commit together to aid those in need as quickly as possible," Cindy McCain said. Freddy Cotte of Rochester, Minn., was moved by the plea from the two influential women. "They did a great job," Cotte said "They represented their husbands well" President Bush was working with state governments to coordinate federal response to the hurricane. Ross Vaningen, of Lebanon, N.H., noticed that nearly every other speaker that came to the podium mentioned the hurricane in one way or another. "It was a great way to rally around our southern status," he said. "We can't be there but we can let them know we care." }.layton@chronicle.utah. edu Editor's NoteJed Layton is reporting from the Republican National Convention in Minneapolis through the Hinckley Institute of Politics and Shantou University Political Journalism Program. Party faces hurdles with college-age voters Students question McCain's surprise pick ofPalin as vice-presidential running mate U students, since McCain did not choose the state's most popular Republican choice: Mitt Romney. According to a CNN poll, 88 percent of Utah residents between the ages Sen. John McCain's decision to choose Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his vice-presi- of 18 and 29 voted for the former Massachudential nominee may draw attention back setts governor, while only six percent voted to the GOP and rally support from dis- for McCain in the primary election. couraged party members, but isn't likely to Had McCain added Romney to the GOP's lessen the popularity of Sen. Barack Obama ticket, student votes would have been radiamong students at the U, observers say. cally affected, Jowers said. "Obama should win this race, so (Mc"A lot of Utah wanted Romney. I wantCain) needed to shake up the dynamics of ed Romney...but in picking Palin, a lot of this race to give him any kind of chance," Republicans are re-energized," Strand said Kirk Jowers, director of the Hinckley said. Institute of Politics. Nonetheless, McCain's choice to run with By adding Palin as his running mate, Mc- the first female vice-presidential candidate Cain will likely strengthen the vocal sup- on a GOP ticket should still peak student port for the GOP among U Republicans interest and increase the popularity of the who weren't going to vote, said Jeremy election as a whole, he said. Strand, vice chair of the U's College RepubWhile it may not ultimately lead to an licans student group. increase in popularity for McCain, Jowers A lot of conservative Republicans on said it will bring his ticket into students' campus do not care for McCain because of conversations. his voting record, Strand said. Palin, who is "The campus (will still) be leaning polled as more strongly conservative, will Obama as the rest of the nation, especially likely encourage Republicans who had pre- 18- to 25-year-olds, are," Jowers said. "But viously decided to abstain from the elector- this pick certainly gives them a reason to al process, to come out and vote for their take a second look (at the GOP)." candidate, he said. According to a RasmusBut supporters of Hillary Clinton might sen Reports telephone survey, Palm polls not be swayed to join McCain simply be78 percent positively among Republicans. cause Palin is a female candidate. On one However, the decision will not likely sway hand, it's gratifying for a woman to take support from one party to another among such a step, Jowers said. On the other hand, Michael McFall STAFF WRITER From the Trail: The Chronicle's election blog Jed Layton www.dailyutahchronide.com/blog/jedsblog About the blog: "From the Trail" is home to the thoughts, occasional opinions and news from the eyes and ears of Jed Layton. Layton is a Daily Utah Chronicle reporter on an internship with the Hinckley Institute of Politics and Shantou University of China. This internship is funded by the Li Ka Shing Foundation, and Layton is accompanied by four other U students and seven students from Shantou University. They will be attending both the Democratic and Republican National Conventions and then touring the nation covering the election. Layton and other the interns will post daily-if not more often-on their journey giving their stories, their ideas and pictures. her policies are in direct conflict with some of Clinton's, such as abortion and gun control. Oakley Gordon, president of the U College Democrats, said that Democratic support on campus will not topple the fact that the state will likely cast its majority vote for McCain. In the 2004 election, more than 70 percent of voters in the state of Utah voted Republican and handed George W. Bush his strongest showing against Democrat John Kerry in the entire election. Due to McCain's support of the Iraq war, Jowers said he has been closely associated with President Bush in the minds of many voters, including students, despite efforts to separate himself on other policies. However, McCain might not win the state with the same advantage, Gordon said. "It's about narrowing that margin, and bringing more attention to Utah," he said. "If the vote dispar- ity between parties shrinks, Republican candidates may campaign harder in Utah to secure their place over their Democratic counterparts." "When we heard it wasn't Romney... there was a collective sigh of relief," Gordon said. m.mcfall@ chron icle.utah.edu necessary to lead the country through the economic and foreign policy problems of our day. "Our economy is challenging," he said. "There is no question it is under stress." Romney explained McCain's plan is better than Obama's because he will keep taxes down, open new markets for American goods and use all possible sources of energy to become independent of foreign oil. "I am very much a part of the McCain team," he said. "We share a vision about the future of America." Romney asked those who might want to vote for him in the Republican National Convention that week to avoid doing so at all costs. "I want to make sure that everyone who is a Romney supporter makes it loud and clear that we support the McCain ticket," he said. "Let's be unified in this." As part of his speech, Romney also boosted the morale of the Utah delegates. Many were concerned about the condition of the party since there was a hurricane near the southern states. Romney said he was proud of the way Utahns had volunteered and sent truckloads of service kits to the states being impacted by the hurricane. Tom Nelson That is one reason he loves Utah, he HINCKLEY INSTITUTE said—the service. JOURNALISM PROGRAM Jed Layton "There is one other thing I love HINCKLEY INSTITUTE about Utah: it is dark, dark, dark red," ST. PAUL, MINN.— A black canishe said referencing the way Utah votes ter full of tear gas careened through JOURNALISM PROGRAM overwhelmingly Republican. "The the sky like a wounded bird before it BLOOMINGTON, MINN.—For- rocks are red and your votes are red." made a light "clink" on the concrete, mer Massachusetts Gov. Mitt RomRomney, whose parents grew up in spinning end on end. ney spoke to the Utah Republican Utah, often returns to the state for va"Why are they doing this?" someDelegation here Monday morning cationing and was made popular dur- one in the crowd cried. over breakfast about his role in the ing his time spent as CEO of the 2002 "Because they are fascist pigs!" a Republican Party. Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. young man with long greasy hair and He said he had worked hard to be In closing, Romney took time to a black bandanna covering his face elected as the Republican candidate praise his former political opponent screamed in response. for presidency, but that his motives turned ally, John McCain, and critiShepherd Road was one of the many were not selfish. cized their common foe. Democratic sites of protest in St. Paul on Monday, "I wasn't in it for myself" he said. candidate Barack Obama. as anti-war, anti-McCain and anar"I was in it for our party and for the Romney explained that he thought chist groups spread throughout the views our party brings." Obama did not have the experience city, causing inconveniences for Ret publican conventiongoers and police. The group on Shepherd Road was a fraction of a larger protest that disbanded throughout St. Paul. Police in the area reported that the group began throwing bricks, urine and feces, at which time tear gas and other deterrents were used to disband the crowd, that unfortunately included pedestrians and motorists. SEE MORE ONLINE |
