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2012 Republican Convention
Sometimes
dreams do come true...
By Lyn Bliss
“It was one of those ‘pick yourself up off the floor’ moments!”
Those of you who know me know that I tend to be adamant about my choice
in politics. Well, could we say that is a bit of an understatement and
go on with the story??
Every four years the campaign for the Republican Party’s candidate for
President heats-up and tends to consume the better part of a year.
Beginning with the First Bush’s run for his second term; I have had a
heightened interest in the proceedings. By the time Bush two came on
the scene, I was sincerely wishing there was some way that I would
“someday” be able to attend a National Convention… Keeping it as that
dream you always think about, but really don’t see happening.
The Convention went from New Orleans, to Houston, to San Diego, and to
New York. I watched. I had friends who went.
When the Convention was held in St. Paul, I applied and was selected to
go as a convention worker. However, due to some outside circumstances
had to decline shortly before the event. That was as close as I
seriously thought I would ever get to actually having feet on the
ground at a convention.
At the beginning of June, an email came from the Ohio Republican Party.
Attached was a list of those who would be representing Ohio at this
year’s Republican Convention in Tampa. I thought as I opened the
attachment, ‘Wonder how many of these folks I will know?’ By the
time I got to the 8th Congressional District, there were several
acquaintances whose names had been found.
Then, there it was... “8th Congressional District, Alternate Delegate,
Lyn Bliss, Greenville”.
It was one of those “pick yourself up off the floor” moments!
First phone call was to my good friend and president of the Ohio
Federation of Republican Women (whose name as At Large Delegate was one
I had seen as I was looking through the list) and a breathless, “my
name is on the list for Tampa!!!” Followed with a lot of “oh my
goshes”, “wows” and other related expressions of disbelief and
excitement on my part.
Thus began our plans to room together for the event. Lots of
discussions regarding departure location, when we would go, what we
would take along, etc., etc., etc. Then, lots and lots of emails and
phone conversations about all of the details… “I found this great
sundress, you have to see it.” To... “Do you think we will need
anything really dressy?” ... “Remind me to take…” “What about…”
The first meeting of delegates and alternates was held on June 5 –
where we were supposed to bring a picture for our identification
credentials. I already was scheduled to attend a Republican Women’s
Luncheon in Montgomery County, so I missed that first gathering. But
then the first conference call for all of us was on June 7. We were
given some details regarding where we would be staying, what sort of
attire would be appropriate (casual – so that answered one of the many
questions), deadlines, what to expect and the information that we would
be receiving a Convention “packet”.
The packet arrived a few days later. I believe that was when it really
sank in that I was going to actually be going to Tampa! Included
was the convention schedule. The time frame does not allow for much
sleep…first events start anywhere from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. and the events
in the evening wrap up anywhere from 11:05 a couple nights, to 2 a.m.
another night (morning). Thus began the worrying about being able to be
alert enough to function while trying to keep hours that have not been
a habit of mine since college days!
There are three delegates and three alternate delegates from each of
Ohio’s 16 Congressional Districts. There are 15 At Large Delegates and
15 At Large Alternate Delegates serving the State of Ohio. There are
three Republican National Committee members from Ohio who will attend.
Thus, the Ohio official contingent numbers 129. There will also be
guests and others who pay to be honorary delegates. I believe the
current number is several hundred who will be going from Ohio. We will
all be staying at the Mainsail Suites Hotel and Conference Center and
will be bused to and from the Tampa Times Forum Convention Center in
downtown Tampa. There will be 2,286 delegates and 2,125 alternate
delegates from all 50 states, the District of Columbia and five
territories.
Registration forms had to be filled out and submitted, picture sent,
and room chosen. Jean and I decided upon a two bedroom suite with
kitchen and living room. We should be able to have plenty of
room. A friend was in Tampa recently and she checked out the Mainsail
just to see what it looks like. She sent some pictures and said it was
really nice, like a gated community… so that was just an added “cherry
on top”.
We decided to fly out of Columbus. Jean lives in NW Ohio near the
Michigan border, so this was a good compromise. Also – we are flying
Southwest because we will get to check two bags for free (and the way
she and I pack that is a necessity!). Picking the best times and days
was another “back and forth” discussion until a final decision was
reached and the tickets purchased.
Then the “opinion polls” started arriving. To be completed and
returned. After which the background forms needed to be filled out and
submitted. The most recent spate of communications has been
authorizations regarding legitimate news sources from which we may
expect contacts.
There have been lots of “update” emails from the Convention folks, and
postal items. One was really funny – it was obviously supposed to
arrive 45 days before the beginning of the convention at which the
Republican Candidate to become the 45th President of the United States
is to be selected. However, it arrived 23 days before the
beginning of the Convention!
There have been several conference calls to keep us updated.
The National Federation of Republican Women holds its Fall Board
Meeting in conjunction with the convention. We had not heard when it
was going to be, and all of us who serve on the board were truly
beginning to wonder what the plans would be. Recently, we found out it
will be held on the first day of the Convention late in the afternoon –
hopefully not interfering with any of the Convention Sessions or Ohio
receptions. Compared to the normal three-day events for Board Meetings,
this is truly going to be the “Reader’s Digest Version”. So, there were
more forms to fill out and submit.
Right now, the trips to the tanning salon are in progress, as we were
told we will be standing in line frequently… and the average Tampa
temperature in August is 90. The clothes are pretty much selected and
ready to be packed… and the excitement is building… which I really
thought was impossible to increase!
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