Reports from Jonathan Krive
Jonathan Krive, 22, is the chairman of the Falls Church City Republican committee and a delegate to the 2008 Republican National Convention. He currently works as a fundraising coordinator for a Washington, D.C., non-profit. He previously served as personal assistant to the chief of staff at the Department of Labor as a presidential appointee.
 
Jonathan has worked on political and issue campaigns across the country, including campaigns in Chicago, San Diego, and Northern Virginia. Most recently, he served as the Republican Party of Virginia's Regional Political Director for the 1st Congressional District. He first got involved in the political arena through the pro-life movement when he toured the country speaking on this issue after winning the National Right to Life Committee's Oratory Competition.
 
Jonathan graduated from Thomas Edison State College in Trenton with a B.A. in Communications where he received the Arnold Fletcher Award for Excellence in Independent Studies. He is also a Certified Legal Assistant with the National Association of Legal Assistants.






Thursday, August 28 to Saturday, August 30, 2008
My wife and I arrived in Minneapolis on Thursday of last week for a pre-RNC conference of conservative movment leaders. As you can imagine, McCain's pick for VP excited many of the conservatives at this conference because of her conservative social and economic positions.
 
The conference ended on Friday evening. Saturday we switched hotels in Minneapolis and later attended a reception hosted by the Delegation from Michigan on Nicollett Island. It was a great opportunity to meet other Republicans, from Michigan and across the country.



Sunday, August 31, 2008
Sunday was the official kickoff of the convention. We declined the opportunity to see a screening of the movie "American Carol," which was offered to many delegates. The official delegate reception was held at the Minneapolis Convention Center in the Civic Fest display. I'm guessing there were at least 5,000 or more people at the convention center. After the official reception, we attended a reception for just the Virginia delegation, and then a party hosted by Rock the Vote and Myspace in honor of the Screen Actor's Guild. During Sunday, I received constant updates by email as to the convention schedule.



Monday, September 1, 2008
Even as of Monday morning, we still did not know what the convention would hold. Thankfully Hurricane Gustav was less destructive than estimated. While most of the convention speakers were canceled, both First Lady Laura Bush and Cindy McCain addressed the audience. After the session we attended a reception hosted by Mayor Guiliani which was on the roof of Club Seven. From what I understand, the convention will be back underway tomorrow with the original schedule.



Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Evening update.

My wife and I attended the RNC for life reception today. Sarah Palin was the schedule guest of honored but canceled at the last minute. Laura Ingraham filled in. From there, the busses took us to the Xcel center where I am right now. I sat on the floor for a little while and am currently sitting on the second floor. A number of lesser known speakers have spoken so far. The most exciting moment yet was when George H Bush and his wife came in and sat down with Cindy McCain.

via:bb.pearl
   


Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Editor queries: Are there state delegation breakfasts...have you attended them and who has spoken there?  Did anything in last night's speeches make a particular impression?  Have you bought any knicknacks....encountered any demonstrators...? 

Our delegation has breakfasts at the hotel every morning, however they have been very light so far. Mostly fruit and some muffins. We have had many Virginia state officials address the breakfast and some other notable political analysts, such as Frank Luntz this morning.

The speeches last night were great, especially Fred Thompson's. We are all looking forward to Sarah Palin tonight.

We ran into a lot of protesters on Monday, but not as many on Tuesday. We walked by a police car whose windows had been smashed by the protesters.


Evening update.

I am riding back on the last bus to our hotel, the Radisson University. Tonight, Sarah Palin have a fantastic speech. The audience was completely energized. I stood about 30 ft away from the stage. During the day, I have a couple interviews on radio row as one of the youngest delegates to the convention. Radio row is an area where all of the radio hosts do live shows. I am going to skip the parties tonight because I have several early interviews tomorrow morning.

via:bb.pearl

  

Thursday, September 4, 2008
This morning I did four radio interviews, three on the phone in my hotel and one from radio row. They were for stations all across the country. Because my first interview started at 7 am I skipped the delegation breakfast where Grover norquist spoke as well as former senator George Allen.

Last night at around 1 am there protestors blocking some of the bus routes to hotels in Minneapolis. They became so violent that the swat teams were called in.

For the rest of the afternoon we are wandering around St Paul until the convention starts at 5 pm.

via:bb.pearl


We are headed to the google after party right now. The final night of the convention was amazing. McCain have a great speech, driving home the republican platform on energy, education and experience. Regardless of what anyone thinks about him, no one can argue that he is a true American hero who has sacrificed a lot for his country.

The confetti and balloons were a lot of fun. Lots of people were dancing as the stuff fell.

This afternoon we hung out at the CNN grill. It is a restaurant that CNN leased for a week, completely gutted, and serve free food during the week.

I think the republicans have articulated a winning platform, and will likely win in November.

via:bb.pearl