After a long drive, we are now back in Nebraska. Along the way we were able to listen to talk radio. Lots of discussion about Oprah's apparent decision to not invite Gov. Palin to be a guest on her show.
Stated reason? She doesn't want to turn her show into a platform for candidates. Real reason? You be the judge.

We stopped in a small town in Iowa for gas, and two things caught my attention. The first was the guy who pulled up in his IH tractor to buy something from the convenience store. Reminded me of most Midwest towns, even my own high school where a classmate drove a combine to school. The liberal elite scoffs and patronizes us for such things. It's folks like that guy with the tractor that can Gov. Palin understands and can relate to.

The second thing was the convenience store clerk, who asked whether we watched the convention on television. We told him we actually went, and he told us how exciting it was for him to watch. Again, liberal elites like Barack Obama and Joe Biden can't relate to that guy. Sen. McCain--a true American hero--and Gov. Palin clearly can.

On the way home I read several opinion pieces from female columnists complaining that Gov. Palin doesn't represent most women. Really? The Rasmussen poll today shows that she's more popular than Sen. Obama. The real answer comes on the first Tuesday in November.

Thanks for allowing me to share my thoughts.

That's the headline of an e-mail I received from a major media outlet during John McCain's speech last night. No surprise there. But it points out that modern political party conventions have largely become irrelevant for actually selecting a party's nominee, and primarily a way to capture prime time television. What Hurrican Gustav showed was that these conventions could easly be accomplished in 3 days (or less). But don't plan on that happening any time soon.

Some other observations/comments:

- My wife got a chance to talk to Sean Hannity of Fox last night; it was the only remaining goal that she wanted to accomplish before we left and she did.

- We obtained a guest pass for our nephew Conor Deterding, who lives in Minneapolis. Conor got to spend some time walking around on the convention floor by himself. Pretty heady experience for a 12 year-old.

- This week our delegation was joined by several Brits who are here studying the American political process. We had the chance to spent a lot of time with one, Dr. Trevor McCrisken, an Associate Professor in American Politics & International Studies at the University of Warwick. Great guy. He was particularly interested in the balloon drop at the end of our convention, a uniquely American political invention.

- In case they didn't relay this to you at home, one of the first songs they played during the balloon drop was "Barracuda" by Heart, a great 80s hit which obviously was played because Governor Palin's nickname in high school basketball was The Barracuda. Even though it's an oldie, most kids would recognize it today thanks to Guitar Hero.

- The balloon drop was awesome. First Lady Sally Ganem was right there with us, standing on her chair and dancing with the best of them.

- If you doubt that we in American enjoy more freedom than anywhere in the world, think about this: one media outlet I didn't notice until last night was Aljazeera, which had a professional media set right between two NBC sets and right above our seats in the convention. Yes, that same Aljazeera that has served as tool of Islamofacism.

- Speaking of press credentials, I'm guessing that if you watched Sen. McCain's speech on television you saw some of the Code Pink Democrat protesters who attempted to interrupt his speech and were quickly removed. Apparently they got into the Xcel Center on press credentials and were caught on surveillance. The floor staff had surveillance photos of them and were asking people to keep a look out.

- I thought Sen. McCain gave a very serious speech about a very serious decision Americans will be making this November. He wasn't speaking to us in the convention hall, but to those undecided voters who want an end to bitter partisanship and want our president to always put Country First.

- For 15+ members of the Nebraska delegation the evening(morning) ended with a Rock the 80s Tribute to Ronald Reagan sponsored by the American Conservative Union. The event was all 80s, with Reagan campaign videos playing, a great 80s cover band out of Denver, jelly beans, Pac-Man and other 80s arcade games machines. A great way to cap off a great convention.

- Hot t-shirt: "Drill Baby Drill!"

Now it's time to hop in the car and drive home. Thanks for allowing me to share some of my observations.

We are gearing up to head down to Excel Center for Senator McCain's speech. The bus ride is expected to be longer than expected, in part due to the crazy protesters, most of whom don't have an agenda other than anarchy. Seems like an inefficient use of time to me.

A few insights from our railroad events today:

Congressman Adrian Smith told us that he got to meet Governor Palin and her husband last evening. Once they found out where Rep. Smith was from, Mr. Palin proudly proclaimed that he has been turkey hunting near Chadron. Maybe he'll bring his wife next time . . . .

Governor Heineman summed up the Palin nomination quite succinctly: "Whether you are from a small town in Alaska or Nebraska, anything is possible."

The frontrunner for best Palin quote thus far: "And since our opponents in this presidential election seem to look down on that experience, let me explain to them what the job involves. I guess a small-town mayor is sort of like a 'community organizer,' except that you have actual responsibilities."

As excited as the delegates were about Governor Palin's speech, there's even more excitement for Senator McCain's speech here in a few hours. Senator McCain has sacrified much for our country and will provide the kind of leadership we deserve. He is a modern day Teddy Roosevelt who talks straight and will govern with integrity.

On to the main event!

Today's theme--at least for the Nebraska delegation--has to be "All Aboard!" We start off the day shortly with a breakfast on a BN/SF train parked on the tracks near the Excel Center where the convention is being held. Then off to lunch, on a nearby Union Pacific train (both companies are very bi-partisan and held similar events for the Democrats in Denver). Finally, we're off to hear John McCain invite Americans to get onboard The Straight Talk Express and vote for the McCain-Palin ticket this fall.

The title of the entry comes from a text message I received from a very non-political female family friend in Lincoln after Governor Palin's speech. It's clear that Governor Palin had a very positive impact on Nebraskans and countless Americans. What an inspiration for so many Americans, male and female alike.

I continue to find it humorous that some liberal pundits claim Governor Palin isn't the kind of female candidate we need. The vast majority of female voters can't relate to a Hillary Clihton or Michelle Obama, but can clearly relate to someone like Governor Sarah Palin. You could see her light up when she got to talk about her family. The hockey mom line was priceless.

Tonight was a blast. Early in the afternoon a contingent of Nebraska delegates helped with a Red Cross project, and then we had a very pleasant boat trip down the Mississippi. Afterwards, we were dropped off at the convention center and heard some great speeches from Mitt Romney, Mike Huckabee and Rudy Guliani. Obviously Barack Obama's lack of experience was a focus. Being a "community organizer" doesn't quite cut it for relevant experience.

Prior to the speech the delegate floor was abuzz with discussion about Peggy Noonan's column and her pretty strong admonition (using the "b" word) that Governor Palin's daughter was off limits to attacks from liberal Democrats and national media. I would encourage all to read it.

Another theme was an attempt to put the national media in its place after the personal attacks on Governor Palin and her family. Mike Huckabee appropriately described it as "tackier than a costume change at a Madonna concert." When Governor Palin had her turn, it was interesting to turn around in our seats to see Tom Brokaw's reaction; he had his legs crossed (wearing slippers again), and gleefully sneered in an elitest fashion.

Former Sen. Bob Dole walked by the Nebraska delegation and said "hi" to old friends, as did former Rep. Jon Christensen, who is currently residing in Tennessee but commuting to work in Washington, DC. He returns to Nebraska quite frequently and looks great, having run several marathons this year and working to qualify for the Boston Marathon.

We have also spent some time with Andy Abboud, a native Nebraska who was formerly the executive director of the Nebraska Republican Party. Andy is now residing in Nevada and is an official delegate from Nevada.

After Governor Palin's speech, we had the roll call of states. Nebraska initially had to "pass" as we wanted Arizona to put John McCain over the top and to officially make him our nominee. Then we headed back to our hotel via bus and called it a night.

Tomorrow: our next president, John McCain.