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Area GOP delegates keep ears open
By Bob Holliday
bholliday@pantagraph.com
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ST. PAUL, Minn. — State Rep. Dan Brady, R-Bloomington, said Wednesday he expects to hear John McCain emphasize “country first” tonight when he accepts the Republican presidential nomination.

“I sense that will be the theme: ‘Country first,’” agreed state Sen. Dan Rutherford, R-Chenoa.

The two are among Central Illinois delegates to the Republican National Convention who also expect to hear the Arizona senator talk about energy, finances and the war in Iraq.

Delegate Connie Nord of Bloomington, who is attending her second convention, and Brady both said they would like to know McCain’s plan on reducing dependence on foreign oil and also how McCain would deal with the mortgage crisis.

“We need some relief for those being foreclosed on,” she said.

Brady added that he also wants to hear some discussion of rising U.S. debt.

“It starts with Congress first. We must stop this out-of-control, ridiculous spending,” said Brady.

This is Brady’s first time as a delegate, an experience he treasures.

“It is a great time to meet lovely, genuine people from across the country,” Brady said.

The selection of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as McCain’s running mate will help McCain’s chances on Nov. 4 because she has created “a new level of energy,” Brady said.

“She needs to articulate her experience,” he said. “When you line her up against (Democratic nominee Sen. Barack) Obama, she has more experience.”

Rutherford, who is a delegate for former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney but will vote for McCain, said he believes Palin must tell America who she is and show that she’s a strong leader.

McCain, Rutherford said, should be expected to address the war in Iraq as well as the U.S. economy.

“He (McCain) has the credibility to lead our nation on the global stage,” said Rutherford, who is attending his third convention as a delegate.

While Hurricane Gustav disrupted GOP plans by hitting the Gulf Coast on the first day of the convention, both Rutherford and Brady noted that delegates made the most of the situation by packing relief boxes.

“While the convention is going on, we have still focused on those who need our help,” Brady said.

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Reader comments on this story - 1 total

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

Jarhead71 wrote on Sep 4, 2008 10:59 AM:

" If McCain addresses the Iraq war, that WILL address the economy. Without Iraq, the USA would have a booming economy. "
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