First, 'Country First'

Posted: Sunday, August 31, 2008 5:31 PM by Domenico Montanaro

From NBC's Ben Weltman and Domenico Montanaro
ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Some observations from the red-carpet-lined Republican convention floor…

The most obvious thing when walking in the hall -- after the giant screen waving American flag on stage -- are the plethora of “Country First” slogans engulfing the arena.

In fact, “Country First” appears prominently in 23 places around the arena at varying sizes and on LCD screens.

There are two American flags draped from high podiums that are about 20-feet long, and there are seven waving ones on LCD screens, including the huge one on stage, which is about 30-feet high.

The seating is perhaps a window into the states the McCain campaign thinks are important. Hint: It's not Guam or the Northern Marianas Islands. They are way in the back and the Northern Marianas sign is barely legible and covered over by a black drape.

The states with preferential seating -- front and center: Ohio, Pennsylvania and Colorado; on either side of the stage: Arizona (McCain's home state), and battlegrounds New Hampshire, Missouri, Michigan, Virginia, Nevada, Wisconsin, North Carolina and Minnesota.

And interestingly, we did not see anything that said Palin on it, except for a few stickers you could count on one hand.

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Comments

Forget the convention! Let's talk about Babygate!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tp2bk6oApXs
http://twocanpete.blogspot.com

twocanpete (Sent Sunday, August 31, 2008 5:41 PM)

If you want to read about Sarah Palin's platform when she ran for mayor of Wasilla in 1996 go to:
http://cnyexpat.blogspot.com/

Wow! What a maverick! This pick will go down in history as the worst joke on the electorate. What a crap-shoot as McFossil is prone to do.

David Kolva, MD Oswego/Syracuse, NY (Sent Sunday, August 31, 2008 5:44 PM)

Under no circumstances should any one vote for a ticket that only appeals to those on the extreme religious right. We've had eight years of that ideology, and it hasn't worked out well for anyone.

Once I found out that she's pushing to teach creationism in science class, that IMHO immediately disqualified her from running for any national public office.

I'm tired of having the current ignorance and lack of intellectual curiosity in the White House generating scorn and derision from around the world.

There is no way I could vote for four more years of being a world laughing stock while the rest of the world shoots right by us with scientific research and development.

No way, no how, No McCain

Carol, Long Valley NJ (Sent Sunday, August 31, 2008 5:48 PM)

County First?
Right. That's why McIIIrd picked Palin instead of someone qualified.
What a disgrace the GOP has become.

Chan, Seattle WA (Sent Sunday, August 31, 2008 5:51 PM)

If the Republics meant our Country first, how can they explain the last eight years? Shouldn’t they be saying Oil Companies first, Special Interests first, Lobbyists first, Human Rights first,or Preemptive Wars first? Its quite a stretch to to prove they have had the interests of we Americans first.

They sure don’t mean our Constitution first. Its just the same old saw, “Our Country Right or Wrong”. The earliest American Patriots didn’t feel that way. It really is time to say “Enough” and for all of us to participate by voting with our Heads not the basest of emotions like Fear and Dsicrimination.

Dennis Boyle, Dallas, Texas (Sent Sunday, August 31, 2008 5:52 PM)

So they are now calling this the

Beauty and the Beast

ticket

Cindy got kicked to the curb. She better watch her OLD fart husband. He's about to dump her for the new Barbie version.

Did you see the way he was checking out palins rear end!!!
DIRTY "OLD" MAN !!!

I FELT DIRTY JUST WATCHING HIM !!!

Beauty and the Beast (Sent Sunday, August 31, 2008 5:58 PM)

So, McCain puts his 'country first' by selecting as his potential successor someone completely unequipped for the job. Someone who could spell absolute disaster as a president should, God forbid, McCain die in office. This from the person who puts his country before political gain.

Yeah, right.

Belinda, CA (Sent Sunday, August 31, 2008 5:58 PM)

I picked the least qualified candidate, and the most conservative govenor in the US, after only meeting her twice, because I was thinking about the country first.

Signed McWar

jim (Sent Sunday, August 31, 2008 6:01 PM)

"And interestingly, we did not see anything that said Palin on it, except for a few stickers you could count on one hand."

Perhaps because she wasn't properly vetted.

Libratine (Sent Sunday, August 31, 2008 6:02 PM)

Well to McCain, we all put our country first.

Kathy, Simi Valley CA (Sent Sunday, August 31, 2008 6:10 PM)

Just more proof that she was a last minute Hail Mary pick.

Christine, Hadley (Sent Sunday, August 31, 2008 6:12 PM)

McCain give it rest. It is unconsiousable that NOLA does not have leeves to protect them from a cateogry 5. Nagin is already saying that the leeves will not sustain Gustov. Gustov is a category 3. we haven't learned our lesson from Katrina. NOLA and other gulf region states should have been protected. This is what the repbulican machine as given us. another failure and ill prepared for hurricans. the money we are wasting should be used here to rebuild leeves in the gulf region. that is putting your country first.

voter (Sent Sunday, August 31, 2008 6:12 PM)

What took his campaign team so long to figure this out and yes I know you won't post this as you haven't posted one thing I have said about putting country first for two days while we may loose an entire city. You guys are big chickens when it comes to what gets posted. unbelievable. Nothing should come before this horrible hurricane that will devistate the lives of those devistated 3 years ago and you are afraid to post it. Guess you all are McCain fans!!!!! Pityful

Brenda (Sent Sunday, August 31, 2008 6:16 PM)

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