RNC Gets Underway In St. Paul

ST. PAUL – Day one may be over already, but plenty of business that needed to be done, got done. While everyone was only doing business for about two-and-a-half hours Monday at the Republican National Convention, everything that had to happen in order to nominate a presidential and vice presidential candidate did.

“It’s my privilege to proclaim the 2008 Republican National Convention in session and call it to order.”

It all started at 1:40 p.m. Mountain Time with that announcement. Jean Inman, the convention secretary, proudly stated the importance of the convention. “For the purpose of nominating candidates of president and vice president.”

In order to make that nomination, committees met to go over the basic rules. “I think it was appropriate to kind of pull down the party atmosphere tonight and make this more business like,” says Colorado Republican Chairman Dick Wadhams.

Delegates were even called on to take out their phones and text donations to help Gulf Coast residents affected by hurricane Gustav. “We’re going to match our words with action,” says Wadhams.

When asked how he felt about the Republic Party’s thoughts on making schedule changes based on the hurricane, Colorado Attorney General John Suthers said, “I don’t fault them for being concerned about what the public perception would be.”

Guy Short, a Colorado delegate tells NEWSCHANNEL 13 the text messaged donations brought in $1 million.