Republican Convention Wrap-Up

Random thoughts from the Republican Convention:

Most enthusiastic:  9th District delegates when Mike Sodrel was announced.

Pin Cushion Award:  Steve Shine for handling the large delegation of Ron Paul delegates in the 3rd district caucus with class.  He may get the Pin Cushion of the year award for getting criticized by both sides of the Republican Party in the 2007 Fort Wayne Mayoral contest.

Best Demonstration: LG Becky Skillman with the drum corps and crew of loud supporters.   She actually pulled this off without having to beg delegates from the floor to help.

Best Pre-Convention Party: Jon Costas.  He may not have been victorious, but he had the ladies swooning with his smooth singing the night before.  I mean, how could you beat having the candidate sing with his own rock band?  His party was so good the Zoeller people came and crashed it.

Biggest rumor confirmed:  LG Becky Skillman confirmed to me that she did, in fact, street race in High School and that her nickname was "Hot Rod."

Best dressed:  Tie between Chris Faulkner with his white suit and the family following Greg Zoeller around dressed in some sort of German attire.

Biggest Loser:  The Indiana Convention Center.  The venue was horrible.  It was difficult to hear the speakers, it muted the applause, and ruined the photo ops so important to events like this one.  Like Gary Welsh, I found myself irritated that they didn't open up to serve refreshments to any delegates.  I hope we don't go back next year.

Biggest Winer:  Tie between Greg Zoeller and the righty blogosphere who propelled him to victory.

Biggest Loser:  The Indiana Democrat Party.  Why won't they have a floor fight at their convention?  Because they can't even get candidates to run for office.  Republicans went out of their convention enthusiastic about 2008 and with a strong statewide ticket.  Meanwhile, the Dems face a June convention without enough candidates to fill their statewide ballot and with a Governor's candidate that no-one wants to serve with.  The Democrat's belching after the GOP convention rings a lot like envy.