The Republican National Convention began Monday in Minneapolis-St. Paul. Four delegates from El Paso County, state Rep. Kent Lambert, County Clerk and Recorder Bob Balink, County Commissioner Wayne Williams and Colorado Attorney General John Suthers will be reporting on it in dispatches to The Gazette throughout the four-day convention.

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Part of the fun of attending a national political convention is informally meeting and hearing from well known leaders from around the
country. Even over breakfast during the first two days of the convention, our little Colorado delegation met New Mexico Congresswoman (and Air Force Academy graduate) Heather Wilson, Idaho Governor Huntsman, Secretary of the Interior Kempthorne, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Nickleson, Vietnam POW and cell mate of John McCain, Colonel Tom Kirk, Senator McCain's son Andy, and First Lady Laura Bush. Without exception, Republicans here seem to be discussing real solutions to American problems and a return to common sense values.

The highlight of my day was a special pro-life event called "The Life of the Party Party" to recognize what is probably the strongest pro-life Republican Platform in history. To our disappointment, the planned speaker, Governor Sarah Palin, was unable to attend the event. To our great enthusiasm, however, radio host Laura Ingraham, former presidential candidate Gary Bauer, and conservative legend Phyllis Schaffley did a super job pitch-hitting to set the stage that the Republican Party is moving ahead toward the undiluted conservative values and message of Ronald Reagan. While many conservative Republicanvoters were initially guarded in their personal enthusiasm for JohnMcCain, the Platform accepted by the Party and the addition of Sarah Palin to the top of the Republican ticket will work together to generatefull support throughout the Republican Party for a new direction forAmerica, and a new spirit of personal toughness, compassion and serviceto people in need, and the strength to protect our American values andway of life.

Rep. Kent Lambert