Republicans giddy-up

By Julie Foster

PHILADELPHIA — Yesterday, members of America’s Grand Old Party officially began
their weeklong festivities with the nomination of Gov. George W. Bush as the
Republican candidate for president during the only daytime session of the
party’s

national convention.


House Speaker Dennis Hastert
directed the nomination from the stage’s isolated center podium and was met with uproarious hoots and hollers when calling for a second to the nomination.

While the resounding support for Bush’s nomination rang from throughout the stadium, a pocket of Stetson-wearing Texans dominated the commotion with their cowboy yodels.

Despite only a partially filled arena, the mood by those in attendance was overwhelmingly enthusiastic as they listened to Republican candidates for offices across the nation voice their support for Bush and his running mate, Dick Cheney.

Philadelphia’s

Comcast-Spectacor’s First Union Center
was sparsely populated early Monday afternoon during the nomination, with delegates and media shuffling around the mammoth complex.

Many were wearing vests with the message, “Republicans are the Life of the Party,” printed on the back, ostensibly referencing the party’s continued pro-life stance in its official platform adopted today. One attendee happily cruised the floor wearing a giant elephant hat, complete with 18-inch ears and a tusk.

Enthusiasm continued to grow last night when former Nixon speechwriter Ben Stein hosts a mock rendition of his Emmy award-winning game show,

“Win Ben Stein’s Money.”

Stein appeared on stage with Miss America 1999, Nicole Johnson, in a quiz show with questions designed to showcase the wisdom of the Republican presidential ticket of Bush and Cheney. Johnson, who is from Virginia, overcame diabetes, winning the pageant with an insulin pump under her evening gown.

“I look forward to returning government and respect of the Constitution to America, and that’s no joke,” Stein deadpanned.

A “jack of all trades,” Stein has enjoyed a long and distinguished career in the worlds of politics, law and writing and has been successful in both television and film. His game show airs on the Comedy Central network along with his talk show, “Turn Ben Stein On,” during which he interviews celebrities.

Those who know Stein only from his quiz show or from his memorable role as the monotone, boring teacher in the 1987 movie “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” might be surprised to learn that in 1973 and ’74, he was a speechwriter for Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford. He was also the valedictorian of Yale Law School’s class of 1970, worked as a university professor, and has authored 15 books and countless newspaper and magazine articles. A native of Washington, D.C., Stein now lives in Los Angeles.

“When you see Ben Stein and Nicole Johnson, you’ll know we’re serious about our pledge to make this a different kind of convention for a different kind of Republican,” joked Andy Card, 2000 Republican National Convention general co-chairman.

Stein was only the beginning of a star-studded evening that featured Texas’ first lady Laura Bush and Gen. Colin Powell as speakers. Other speakers during the week include Bob and Elizabeth Dole, Sen. John McCain, Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf and World Wrestling Federation champ, The Rock.

However, locals appear to be none too happy with the commotion of a national convention. Weary travelers on their way home to the Keystone State complained of dramatically increased traffic and mocked the city’s ornate décor in honor of the event.

Swags of red, white and blue material are draped over practically every building downtown, and special banners featuring the Republican elephant adorn light posts on every street.

One grumbler identified herself as an anesthesiologist at Pennsylvania Hospital. She explained that trauma sections of the hospital have been reserved for any convention emergencies. Raised by Republican parents, the local said she tends to favor Democrats but doesn’t want any of the current presidential hopefuls to win the election in November.

But while residents may be irritated by the inconvenience associated with hosting a national convention, local politicians are surely grinning over the revenue an event of this magnitude will generate for the local economy.

Streets and shops are buzzing with activity at all hours of the day and night as delegates celebrate what they hope will be the first Republican-controlled House, Senate and White House in 48 years.


Rep. Dan Burton,
chairman of the

House
Government Reform Committee,
emphasized the importance of this election for the Republican Party at a reception prior to the evening session. He focused on the need to “root out” government corruption – especially that of the Clinton administration – and asked attendees to make sure Democrats don’t “take [his] job” in November.

Whether Republicans gain control of the executive branch remains to be seen, but for now, the GOP enjoys the party in Philadelphia.

Julie Foster

Julie Foster is a contributing reporter for WorldNetDaily. Read more of Julie Foster's articles here.