Sunday night Aug. 31

The pre convention week here in Minneapolis included various committee responsibilities for some of Hawaii's delegates; Adrienne King served on the Platform Committee, Travis Thompson of Maui and Susan Page contributed to the final draft of the Rules Committee, and Barbara Marumoto and Jerry Coffee arbitrated issues on the Credentials Committee. All the final committee proposals will be introduced for ratification during the first session of the convention tomorrow.In accordance with election law, this business must be conducted early in the convention so that all legal requirements for the final nomination of Senator John McCain on thursday for the Presidency of the United States will have been fulfilled.

Unfortunately, the threat of hurricane Gustav in the Gulf of Mexico and the potential havoc which may be wrought upon the people of the Gulf Coast has resulted in shifting priorities. In spite of elaborate convention plans for business as usual, Senator McCain has recommended that only necessaary business be transacted tomorrow and that scheduled speakers and entertainment be cancelled. He is particularly sensitive to the impropriety of politics as usual and to instead "open our hearts, our sympathy and and our wallets for the people threatened by this monstrous storm. It's time for us to take off our 'political hats' and put on our 'American hats' to show America's unanimous support for our countrymen threatened by Gustav."

The impending storm did not, however, dampen the spirits--for now--of the McCain "Friends and Family" event this evening gathering a dozen or more of Senator McCain's 'ol jailbird friends from his POW days; all gathered to support his nomination this week. Since the Senator and his running mate, Governor Sarah Palin, are on the Gulf Coast today to encourage residents there, the Senator's 96-year-old mother, Roberta, was the guest of honor. Hawaii kamaaina who knew her when she lived here in the 60s and 70s would not be surprised to hear that her lively reparte' throughout the evening exemplifys the "Energizer Bunny" genes which keep the Senator going with youthful energy and enthusiasm.

More tomorrow after the first Convention session.
Jerry Coffee reporting from The Twin Cities.