RPT Convention 2012

The Texas Republican Party State Convention was this past week in Ft. Worth. It was quite the week.

First and fore most my mama was elected by Senate District 25 to be their Committeewoman for the State Republican Executive Committee. Congrats to Mama, I know she will do a great job for those counties.

Next I will offer a few complaints.

1. IT WAS SO COLD EVERYWHERE. I am not complaining about the weather. Inside the convention center and arena it was the Arctic Blast Zone. Seriously, I get that there were 10,000 people running around so you have to keep the air pumping, but it was so cold it was painful in some meetings. Turn the air up a little folks!

2. The arena seating was kind of insane. While it looked fantastic in photos and press shots, it was really scary watching little old ladies climb stairs, steep stairs, up to their designated seating. I'm not sure how to fix this problem and keep the really awesome arena feel, but I literally sat in my seat and cringed when I saw wobbly seniors struggling to get to their seats.

3. The schedule was great, and I know it takes a lot to build such intense time lines, but every year I have attended one of these things we go over the time allotted. The General Sessions run long...every year. So maybe next time, let's schedule a bit more time for these sessions and then nothing backs up and we don't have to return to the freezing cold, dangerous arena for a "finish up session" from 9 to midnight on the Friday night! Just a thought... constructive criticism.

Now for the good stuff...

The speeches were amazing. The good Governor kicked things off by giving a kick ass speech Thursday morning. I am obviously biased, but this may have been one of the greatest speeches I have ever seen him give. It was well balanced, exciting, emotional, just very well done. At one point the Ted Cruz folks booed him for giving his governing partner David Dewhurst an endorsement shout-out, and I think that was sick... flat disrespectful, and I don't want anything to do with people like that. Luckily the SAME FOLKS were back on their feet applauding Governor Perry when he finished giving his remarks.

The other speakers included the mentioned David Dewhurst, Attorney General Greg Abbott, and other statewide officials. I think pretty much everyone exceeded my expectations with their General Assembly addresses. And that is great for firing up the party before a monumental General Election this fall.

The breakout sessions were not just well done, but really well attended. The first I chose to attend was Chairman Smitherman's conversation on the over-intrusive EPA. Now I didn't expect a ton of delegates to be in this meeting because Ron Paul was speaking at the exact same time, but well over 500 people PACKED the room until there was standing room only. The Chairman did an exceptional job and for the millionth time blew my mind at his level of understanding and general knowledge of such a wide array of topics that the Railroad Commission encompasses.

The second breakout session I attended was the one led by Senator Dan Patrick with other panel guests including Representative Jason Isaac. Now I will admit here for full disclosure, and if you know me you have already figured this out, I merely attended sessions with elected officials I already admire greatly.

Senator Patrick and Representative Isaac did not disappoint. In a room of well over 500 again, and maybe closer to 1,000 delegates, alternates and guests the panel did a great presentation. I especially liked Representative Isaac's overview of the Election's Committee in the last Legislative Session. I was with the Secretary of State's office then and sat through many of those hearings. He did a great job and I hope for the people of Texas' future that Representative Isaac returns to the Election's Committee in the 2013 session.

As for the caucus meetings my Senate District meetings went well. I think most of them did. I was really impressed with my Congressional District meeting. Paul Bettencourt is a caucus champion. It was so well organized and ran smoothly. He allowed candidates to speak and stayed right on track the whole time. Kudos to him as I know that can be a very exhausting roll to play.

I think that is about it minus a few random thoughts:

1. The GIANT elephant painted as the Texas flag was spectacular. Would have been a great family Christmas card photo op, but alas my family was a ll over the place so it never happened.

2. Omni Ft. Worth is a great hotel. The valet kind of sucks, they lost my keys twice, but over all a great hotel.

3. Whiskey and Rye bar at the Omni is also pretty awesome. I only took part in one night of "meet up with all your old friends and staffers at the bar" night but it was fun and the drinks were served up quickly!

4. Ft. Worth is a cool town and handled the convention nicely. The surrounding restaurants were prepared to handle the influx of patrons and almost all offered a special deal like a free margarita with your convention credentials! Bonus!

So that is about all for my convention recap. It was a busy 4ish days and I think the party accomplished a ton. Here's to our ticket, may November 2012 be the red wave that '08 was blue!

oh and as a side note: This summary does not include the blowout my little red Rosie Jetta had on the evening of day 1. That is another post to come...

xoxo Sara Marie