Published: September 05, 2008 11:45 pm            

Firing up the party

Experiencing the RNC with Greg Snowden

For State Rep. Greg Snowden (R-Meridian) John McCain's speech at the Republican National Convention Thursday night was great, but the real highlight of the convention was Wednesday's speech from V.P. nominee Sarah Palin.

"We found out so many things about her," he said. "Good things, quickly. And she did such a fine job."

Snowden said he's not sure whether Palin will carry the female vote, but one thing he his sure of - women are giving her a lot of attention. 40 million people watched her speak Wednesday, and about 22 million of them were women, he said.

"Regardless of how women are voting," said Snowden, "they certainly are interested in her."

Snowden conceded that Palin has overshadowed McCain since she was announced as his V.P. pick, but he believes she's overshadowed him in a good way.

"People know McCain. They don't know her." Snowden said he thinks she's shown at the convention that she's strong, that she brings something to the ticket, and that she and McCain will complement each other well.

"He could've picked somebody who really blended into the woodwork," Snowden said, "but this combination is going to be a powerful."

Snowden said Palin's speech was more combative, while McCain's speech centered more around reaching out to the public. "It was calmer," he said, "more coniliatory."

Snowden, who was on the floor about 25 yards to the left of McCain during his speech Thursday, said he thinks the convention has done its job.

"It was a great time and great convention," he said. "One of the prime purposes is to fire up your party... and it certainly did that."

While Snowden felt that Palin's speech was the political highlight of the convention, his personal highlights were different.

Shaking Rudy Guiliani's hand is one of the things and the top of the list, and also "Just to be around people. We met the people from Arkansas. And we were seated by the people from Indiana, so we got to know them."

And, for Snowden, some of the best parts of the experience didn't even happen at the convention. One of his favorite experiences was touring the Minnesota capitol building with two other Mississippi legislators.

"They took us and and gave us the royal treatment," he said. "They just treated us with respect and a real friendliness... That was a really nice personal experience."

Now that both the Republican and Democratic National Conventions are over, Snowden said he feels like election season has really kicked in.

"It's here," he said Friday morning. "The election is here. The real campaign, the general election campaign began this morning. Decision time is upon us."

        

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