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Locals in high spirits at RNC

By Blackwell Thomas

Thursday, September 4, 2008 5:35 PM CDT

The Southern

CARBONDALE - With Hurricane Gustav's threat to the Gulf Coast having passed, those gathered at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn., this week are free to celebrate John McCain's nomination and get fired up for the general election.

And according to some Southern Illinoisans gathered in the Twin Cities, that is exactly what they are doing.

Sue Hamilton, a special education administrator from Carterville, is a delegate for the Republican's presumptive presidential nominee, Arizona Sen. John McCain, and said that the mood has lightened and spirits are lifted in Minneapolis.

"The first day (Monday) was pretty low key, there wasn't a whole lot going on, but it was very exciting for the convention to move forward now that the folks down in the Gulf seem to be out of harm's way," she said. "There's a tremendous amount of excitement and people are really charged up and that's just contagious. It's continuing to build and at the convention center it's just electric."

Convention and visitors officials said Wednesday about 45,000 people have arrived in town for the convention.

Patti Howard, a small business owner from Carterville, is one of them and said she has been thrilled with the show the Republicans are putting on, in particular the speakers who have delivered speeches thus far.

"What was exciting to me yesterday was what a gracious person Laura Bush was and opened up some of the experiences she's had. And to close it out with Joe Lieberman, the guy who was a (Democratic) vice presidential nominee eight years ago, coming to this party and recommending John McCain for president - wow," she said. "You see a lot of people you see on television - some are just really down to earth, honest people and that's really gratifying."

Howard added: "We are looking forward to � hearing Sarah."

That is Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, McCain's choice for a running mate, who spoke Wednesday night.

State Sen. Dave Luechtefeld, an Okawville Republican, said he expected a strong speech from Palin.

"I think I came here thinking it was going to be somewhat boring, but when Gov. Palin was announced as the designate for the vice president, it changed everything," he said. "There is a lot of excitement and hopefully it turns out good for us."

blackwell.thomas@thesouthern.com

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