The Republican National Convention gets started for real today, but Monday they stepped aside for Tropical Storm Isaac.  There were still several things that caught my attention from Monday – things you need to know!

Today I write about Governor Babcock, Daines speaking, Rehberg and lobbyists, Romney not understanding, a Thursday mystery speaker, prayers for Specter, Drinking the Storm Away, Republicans attempting to dance, and sharing time with Isaac.  There’s a lot more so read on…Governor Tim Babcock:

No matter on which side of the political fence one sits, former Montana Governor Tim Babcock and his wife Betty are Montana treasures.  The former governor is 93 and Betty is 90.  According to a story in the Great Falls Tribune, this is the Babcocks’ 15th Republican National Convention.  Governor Babcock will lead the convention in the Pledge of Allegiance on Tuesday.

Since his first convention 60 years ago, Governor Babcock says, “the tone of politics has changed for the worse since then.”

True.  Very true.

Daines Speaks:

According to a post on his Facebook page, Republican U.S. House candidate Steve Daines says “Due to Tropical Storm Isaac delaying Monday’s events, I will now address the National Convention Tuesday between 1:30p-2:00p MST.”

Practice, practice, practice…using a teleprompter is harder than it looks…

Rehberg & Lobbyists:

The Huffington Post published a story yesterday about Rehberg telling lobbyists in a speech last year “he probably would have chosen their profession over his own if he had been ‘smart.’”  The story continued with Rehberg telling the lobbyists, “they were not only honorable, but that he could not do his job without them.”

Look for a campaign ad about this very soon.

Maybe Rehberg should have hired better staff to help him do his job…

Get Well Soon:

There are reports that former U.S. Senate Arlen Specter (Pennsylvania) has been hospitalized with a serious illness.

Let’s keep Senator Specter in our thoughts and prayers.  

CBS Poll:

A new CBS poll “shows that half of registered voters think that Mitt Romney does not understand their problems.”

It does not look like Mitt Romney can overcome the problem of appearing rich and uncaring…

Thursday Mystery Speaker:

Several news organizations are reporting that a prime speaking slot is open for a “mystery speaker” on Thursday – and many folks think it might be former Alaska Governor and vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin.  Some think it might be former President George W. Bush, but I doubt it is him.

The Republicans need someone to bring in the viewers – Mitt Romney does not cut it…

“Drinking the Storm Away”

One of my favorite writers, Dave Barry, is covering the Republican National Convention and has a column posted HERE called “Drinking the Storm Away” where he writes about attending the welcoming party at Tropicana Field.  Barry says “every four years it gives me the unadulterated joy of watching Republican convention delegates attempt to dance.”

When I grow up I want to write like Dave Barry…

Sharing:

The Republicans in Tampa are going to be sharing the news with Tropical Storm Isaac for most of the remainder of the convention.  The convention concludes Thursday evening.

If Isaac starts battering the Gulf Coast and Republicans are seen partying and non-caring to the rest of the country, it will irreparably harm them with voters this fall.  They must play their cards carefully over the next 24-48 hours.   All is fair in politics.

President Obama will make a statement this morning about Tropical Storm Isaac around 10:00 Eastern Time – which allows him to take some of the news coverage about the convention away from the Republicans…

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