We arrived on the floor of Xcel Energy Center at about 2:00. Most of the other state’s delegations had already arrived, so the floor was fairly crowded. Minnesota was given a pretty good location. We are just to the left of the stage.

As has been widely reported, the program was scaled back. When you remove all of the speakers, it’s amazing just how little actually needs to be done at a national convention. We elected our convention officers, and appointed committees (credentials, platform, rules, etc…). Including the pledge, prayer and national anthem this took about 20 minutes.

The convention then recessed so the committees could do their business. I was on the credentials committee. We met in The Fishing Lodge just off the convention floor. We spent 5 minutes taking the roll, another 2 minutes for the pledge and invocation (provide by Chris Jacobson from Minnesota’s 4th District), and two minutes completing the committee’s business.

When all the committees completed their business the convention was gaveled back to order. We approved the committee reports (including the platform which took a total of 3 minutes). As the motions related to the committee reports were made, the interest level of the delegates gradually declined. When the last motion passed the PA announcer coolly introduced Laura Bush. Most delegates didn’t expect to see any dignitaries today, so there was an audible gasp from the crowd preceding the standing ovation when the First Lady walked on stage.

I saw the news reports of the violence in St. Paul when I got back to the hotel. Other than seeing police officers in riot gear, I saw very few signs of the protesters on the way to or from the convention.

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