Jews & Politics: GOP Convention Update (Part 2)

Tuesday marked the first real day of the Republican National Convention, as well as my first real day performing my page duties, and I am happy to write that the day was just as exciting as I had hoped.

We started early in the morning putting out the materials for the many delegates and alternates. After that we got some time to explore the convention center; words do not do justice to the scale of this Tampa arena, and yet opportunity still came knocking.

First was a chance to meet the legendary Oakridge boys, then on a random chance I ran right into former White House Senior Advisor and Deputy Chief of Staff Karl Rove. Later that night I would get to shake hands with Republican Party Chairman Reince Preibus.

But although getting the chance to meet all these famous political figures is exciting, the real show comes when the convention starts and my fellow pages and I are on the floor giving out signs and bringing our energy to the proceedings.

We started the night with a role call of all the States and the Delegates that had cast support for Mitt Romney. A few states had lost multiple votes to Ron Paul and some of his supporters showed up and attempted to make a vocal disturbance during the proceedings, intentionally trying to disrupt the convention. Ultimately they made no difference, and once the multiple speeches given by an outstanding variety of prominent state figures started – they were only an afterthought.

The theme of the night was “We Built This!” And how fitting it was that my fellow pages and I gave out many handmade signs. The theme dug even deeper than that for me – realizing that with G-d’s help we do all make our own success, and having a good life is nothing to be ashamed of – it’s something to be proud of and used to help others.

The highlight of the night was the last speaker, Ann Romney, who was given an unbelievable ovation and then proceeded to completely steal the show and lay out the very elegant story of her life with Mitt Romney, which highlighted a very human side to a man who is often unfairly accused of being out of touch. Mrs. Romney clearly supports and loves her husband with her entire heart, and her story had delegates and pages alike captivated and cheering. I certainly hope she will continue being so vocal, she looked like a “First Lady” already. Having Governor Romney come out at the end of her speech was just a bonus and a great sign of things to come Thursday night when the man himself steps onto stage.

The keynote address was delivered by New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, who gave a passionate, heartfelt speech on the nature of those who currently control Washington and how we all must work hard to put the right man into the White House. After that we were treated to a brief concert by Three Doors Down, who lit up the RNC stage to close out day two.

Although we all spent many hours on our feet and running around, this was easily the most fulfilling day so far; working together with men and woman from over the country really makes you appreciate how much we can accomplish when we aren’t divided and we do work together. So despite my feet feeling like they have been through a meat grinder, I look forward to the excitement of tomorrow and being out in the fray again!

(Side note: I was happy to – for the first time – get to stand by my delegation and visit with my good friends Pete Ricketts and the first lady of Nebraska Sally Ganem)

All The Good Stuff,
Yosef