WCVB Crew at RNC 2008
Jenny Barron is a WCVB Executive Producer covering the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn.
The anticipation is building…
It it hard to believe that less than one week ago, the governor of Alaska’s name would probably elicit little more than blank stares. Today, here in St. Paul, Sarah Palin is truly the talk of the town.
This morning began with an early conference call with the leaders of the DNC. They spelled out their strategy to combat the message from their Republican rivals. But, more than anything, they were peppered with questions about the woman of the hour: Sarah Palin.
That theme continued just a few hours later, as some of the most high profile women in the GOP came out swinging in defense of their VP candidate. The charges of sexism were flying and voices were raised…there is no question that this has become a very emotionally-charged issue.
Then there was probably one of the most photographed moments of this convention to date: our first look at the teenage father-to-be in the Palin pregnancy saga. As John McCain arrived in Minnesota this afternoon, the entire Palin family greeted him on the tarmac. That included 18-year-old Levi Johnston, the young man thrust into the glare of the national spotlight because of his now pregnant girlfriend, Bristol Palin. He got a very friendly reception from the presumtive GOP nominee. Of course, we all want to know what Senator McCain whispered in Johnston’s ear.
So, all we can do now is wait…wait and see if Sarah Palin’s speech can rally her supporters, satisfy some of her critics, and, if only briefly, take the focus off the scandals that have been swirling around her candidacy.
We’ve just gotten a few excerpts from the RNC, and it is clear that Palin will throw at least few punches. But only tomorrow will tell if it’s enough to change the game of her life…
