Zachary Earl Smith

I was very fortunate that one of our delegates wasn’t going to be able to make it for the evening and I was given their credentials. This enabled me to remain on the floor the entire evening, and even better - I am in the official convention photo. There were many good speakers but things really didn’t heat up till later in the evening.

Former Senator Fred Thompson gave one of the best speeches I have ever heard from him, and if he had given a speech of that caliber six months ago it might be a very different scene here in Minnesota right now. His power and stature really comes out and it was just very impressive. Thompson spoke about McCain’s personal story, which anyone must find compelling and moving even if you disagree with his politics. The keynote and closing speaker was Sen. Joe Lieberman, WOW. Think, 8 years ago this man was the Democratic nominee for Vice President, and here he is addressing Republican convention asking his fellow Democrats to vote for a Republican. It is utterly amazing and if you had said 8 years ago what would be going on today people would have thought you crazy. It is really really mind blowing just how much has changed in just a few short years.

The evening was one of the most inspiring and humbling nights of my life. I was so moved and realized how blessed I am to be alive in this time and in this country. Of all the eras of man I could have lived in and of all the countries, to be an American now is, in the history of mankind, one of the greatest gifts any human can ever hope to achieve. How fortunate are we to enjoy a level freedom and prosperity only dreamed about by most of the world. This is why we are the “last best hope for man on earth,” words that are very real and after this night take on a much deeper meaning for me. I lucked out and was able to fill in for one of the Maine delegates, which allowed me to remain on the actual floor of the convention with full delegate privileges the entire evening. While standing on the floor taking in the spectacle I looked up at the television news agencies around the arena that had booths to televise the convention. It was at that point my eyes fell on the Al-Jazeera booth.  Only in America. How many countries do they broadcast to that enjoy the same freedom of the press we are giving them.

It was a good day.

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