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July 23, 2008
The Transformation Begins
Today is the third day of the Xcel Energy Center transformation. Only 40 days left before the start of the 2008 Republican National Convention.
Below is a quick video from Monday's move-in. Check the Grand Ol' Blog on Monday for a time lapse video of the transformation process.
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July 22, 2008
Neil Diamond and Free Falling
If you follow our Twitter updates you know that Sunday night several members from the 2008 Republican National Convention staff went to see Neil Diamond in concert.
After skating on the ice one last time, Sunday’s Neil Diamond performance was the final event in the Xcel Energy Center before the convention transformation began on Monday.
On Saturday, 30 miles east of Saint Paul in Baldwin, WI, ten other staffers saw the area from an unusual perspective - the sky - as they jumped out of a perfectly good airplane and free fell to the ground.
This daring group of staffers decided to get away from the office and skydive- almost all of them for the first time- and, thankfully, they all had parachutes and made it back to Saint Paul in one piece.
After a very eventful weekend, everyone is back in the office diligently working with just 41 days until the start of the 2008 Republican National Convention, and 44 days until Senator McCain officially accepts our party’s nomination.
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July 21, 2008
Convention Staff Write Home
Over the past few days a couple convention staffers made headlines in their local news outlets.
On Friday, Betsy Ankney of Ottawa Hill, OH was profiled in the Toledo Free Press for her work as Staff Assistant to the President & CEO of the 2008 Republican National Convention, Maria Cino. Betsy has lived in Saint Paul, MN since January working side-by-side with Cino to ensure a smooth operation at the convention headquarters.
Today in Rochester, MN on the cover of the Post-Bulletin paper, Robert Todd was highlighted for his work as one of three Media Operations Coordinators. Robert will help manage the more than 15,000 members of the media during the four-day-long convention and ensure that "the likely Republican nominee, Sen. John McCain, [is] in the best possible light."
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July 21, 2008
Coverage of the Xcel Transformation
Click on the clip to the right to check out this great report from KSTP on the start of the transformation.
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July 21, 2008
The Transformation Begins
The quiet, vacated Xcel Energy Center was filled this morning with the sounds of beeping forklifts, loud trucks, and snapping camera shutters as the 2008 Republican Nation Convention officially took shape.
After a quick safety talk to the workers, a large ceremonial key was presented to MSP 2008 Host Committee CEO Jeff Larson and Committee on Arrangements Deputy Director of Operations Gordon Pennoyer and the work began.
Over the next six weeks crews will labor tirelessly to transform the Xcel Energy Center from ice arena to state-of-the-art convention hall in preparation for Senator John McCain’s acceptance speech.
Every Monday be sure to visit www.GOPConvention2008.com for a time lapse video of the build-out from the week before.
Check out the slideshow from today’s building handover. Video coming soon. As always keep a close eye on the Grand Ol’ Blog for the latest GOP Convention information.
Some news highlights from this morning’s events:
RNC gets the keys; time for an X-treme makeover: Star Tribune
'X' about to begin its political makeover: Pioneer Press
RNC planners take over Xcel: KSTP (ABC) (Video)
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July 17, 2008
Remembering Reagan in 1980
In 1980 many things were different - including the timing of political conventions.
Today marks 28 years since Ronald Reagan stepped to the podium at the Republican National Convention in Detroit, Michigan to accept the Republican Party nomination for president. On July 17, 1980, Reagan delivered a speech that officially launched his general election campaign and landed him in the White House.
In 50 days, Senator John McCain will step to the podium at the Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, MN and accept the Republican Party nomination. Stay tuned to the Grand Ol' Blog to follow the action.
Meanwhile, in honor of Ronald Reagan, take a look at his 1980 acceptance speech below.
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July 16, 2008
Meeting Governor Pawlenty
Today the interns of the 2008 GOP Convention started their morning with a trip to the Minnesota State Capitol complex in Saint Paul (a stone’s throw from convention headquarters) to meet with Governor Pawlenty and tour the capitol building.
Governor Tim Pawlenty welcomed the interns to the "best state in the country." After answering several questions from the interns the governor took a moment to pose for individual pictures.
Following their time with Governor Pawlenty, the interns toured the Minnesota State Capitol building designed by Cass Gilbert who, incidentally, was the original architect of the United States Supreme Court building.
Click here for more pictures of their trip.
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July 14, 2008
Convention Staff on Ice
Supporters of the Minnesota Wild are called the "Team of 18,000," and readers of the Grand Ol’ Blog know that we count ourselves among them.
So on Sunday, we received a treat as convention staff got the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to skate on the hallowed ice of the Xcel Energy Center.
Just 50 days before the start of the 2008 Republican National Convention, the Xcel Energy Center staff gave us two hours to skate and play hockey on the Wild’s home ice.
For some of us, our time on the ice produced some scrapes, bruises and many sore bodies, but it was an experience we’ll never forget.
Pictures of the action on the ice can be seen here.
Today, the ice is being removed from the arena as part of preparations for convention construction of the site beginning in seven days on July 21st. Keep an eye on the Grand Ol’ Blog for pictures and video of the Xcel Energy Center takeover and convention hall build out.
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July 14, 2008
American Neighbor YouTube Contest Winner!
Last Friday voting concluded on the five finalists of the American Neighbor YouTube Contest. Many across the nation took to heart the call of Sen. John McCain to "serve a cause greater than one's own self-interest," and shared with us their video stories of American Neighbors making a difference in their communities for the chance to attend the 2008 Republican National Convention.
Today, we are announcing the winner right here on the Grand Ol’ Blog...(drum roll please)...
Congratulations to John Merguerian from Van Nuys, CA whose video of Jason Gilde was chosen the best example of being a good American Neighbor. Both John and Jason will be invited to attend the 2008 Republican National Convention, and John's video will be shown during the convention's official proceedings.
Click here to watch the winning video!
Last Friday we also announced another chance to not only win a free trip to the 2008 Republican National Convention, but also the chance to spend a day in the campaign press corps of Sen. John McCain.
Simply create a video that answers the question: "Why are you a Republican in 2008?" Upload your video to our YouTube channel and you could win a chance to witness life on the campaign trail first-hand and join John and Jason at the 2008 convention.
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The convention will utilize numerous mediums – both emerging and traditional – to share our nominee’s vision with the American people. We have a great appreciation for bloggers and the ever-increasing role new media has in providing real-time information and shaping public opinion. LEARN MORE
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