Iowa GOP ready for convention

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By Charlotte Eby | Sunday, August 31, 2008 11:37 AM CDT | () comments

A stagehand sweeps the stage as preparations are underway for the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn., Sunday, Aug. 31, 2008. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

DES MOINES — After Democrats spent the week in Denver celebrating nominee Barack Obama, Iowa Republicans are set to answer at their own national convention, which kicks off Monday at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minn.

The convention is expected to showcase nominee John McCain’s biography as a war hero and long-time member of Congress and introduce running mate Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin to voters.

McCain announced the surprise pick Friday with the choice of the pro-life, first-term governor.

Ed Failor Jr. of Muscatine was less enthusiastic about attending this year’s convention as a delegate until he learned McCain chose Palin as his running mate.

“If there’s something bigger than a grand slam, he just hit it,” Failor said.

Failor thinks the choice of Palin will mean an upbeat convention that will serve as a launching pad for McCain to beat Obama.

John Ortega, a national convention delegate from Bettendorf, had hoped McCain would choose former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney but approved of Palin. He thinks the choice will satisfy Iowa conservatives.

“She’s got a wonderful track record with the values that we have,” Ortega said.

Matt Reisetter of Cedar Falls makes his first trip to the convention as a delegate.

He thinks McCain’s age, 72, has been unfairly used against him and is looking forward to McCain’s appearance at the convention.

“I think my No. 1 hope is that he comes across as having a command of the issues and having the guts and determination to make some of the hard decisions that are going to have to be made by whoever is president,” Reisetter said.

Polly Granzow, a state representative from Eldora, will also make her first trip to a national convention as a delegate. She’s looking forward to the rest of the country getting to know McCain and his leadership strengths.

She said that although McCain wasn’t Iowa’s first choice among the GOP candidates in the state’s caucuses, Iowa Republicans are behind him now.

“I think he will be a very positive voice for the whole nation,” Granzow said.

Granzow also will have her eye on the Republican Party’s platform, especially its positions on renewable energy, such as ethanol and wind and solar power.

Although much of the energy discussion has focused on lifting restrictions on off-shore oil drilling, Granzow thinks the solution must include a combination that includes renewable energy.

State Republican Party Chairman Stewart Iverson said the convention will help provide a more complete view of McCain for Americans who don’t know him well yet.

“For the vast majority of the population, a lot of them don’t really tune in until Labor Day or so,” Iverson said.

Iowa’s role in the presidential selection process is also likely to be decided this week. Iverson will be an advocate for keeping Iowa’s caucuses the first in the nation.

The convention is expected to ratify its presidential nominating calendar for the 2012 election cycle. The party has given preliminary approval to keeping Iowa first, but it now must gain approval by the convention.

“There’s no certainty until it’s done,” Iverson said.

National Democrats and nominee Barack Obama have pushed off the decision, appointing another a special commission to study the calendar process and make recommendations.

The two Iowa parties have traditionally worked together to host the caucuses and to keep the state’s prominent role in the primary calendar.

“I think if we can get it ratified for the Republicans for Iowa in 2012, I think that helps the Democrats, too, when they have their discussions,” Iverson said.

Charlotte Eby can be contacted at (515) 243-0138 or chareby@aol.com.