Lyon Countians Report from the Convention Hurricane disrupts schedule for Republicans

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By Gwendolynne Larson (Contact)

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Despite a rearranged agenda, two Lyon Countians attending the Republican National Convention found plenty to do on Monday — the first full day of the gathering in St. Paul, Minn.

“Mother Nature planned the day for us the first day,” said Alberta Brinkman of Emporia.

Brinkman and Virginia Graham of Reading, members of the Santa Fe Trail Republican Women, are alternate delegates with the Kansas Republicans attending the convention in St. Paul. Monday’s agenda was scaled back after Hurricane Gustav roared ashore along the Gulf Coast.

Newspaper headlines that Brinkman saw described the start of the convention as “All dressed up with no place to go,” but she disagreed.

“In Minneapolis-St. Paul, there are many places to go,” she said.

In fact, she said, some of the women in the delegation were rejoicing that no sales tax is charged on clothing or shoes — handy in a city next to the Mall of America.

For Brinkman, however, there was still business on the first day. She attended a National Federation of Republic Women meeting before joining Graham and others in the Kansas delegation at the Xcel Energy Center for activities, which were highlighted by speeches by First Lady Laura Bush and Cindy McCain, wife of Republican presidential nominee John McCain. Both women appealed for donations to victims of the Gulf Coast storm, according to The Associated Press.

“This is a time when we take off our Republican hats and put on our American hats,” said Cindy McCain in the AP report.

Added the first lady, “Our first priority for today and in the coming days is to ensure the safety and well-being of those living in the Gulf Coast region.”

For Brinkman, the first day of the 2008 convention was a change from others she’s attended. Since 1984, Brinkman has attended every Republican National Convention as a delegate, alternate delegate or guest. This year’s convention, however, is Graham’s first.

The women’s day on Monday started off with the first change of plans. Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback was supposed to join the Kansas delegation — 39 delegates, 36 alternates and assorted guests — at breakfast. But he, too, canceled because of the Gulf Coast storm.

This morning, Rep. Jerry Moran, R-Kansas, was to attend the breakfast. And on Wednesday, a highlight for Kansans at the convention is a special reception for former Sen. Bob Dole.