Pat McGervey, Delegate for John McCain
The Chronicle-Telegram Staff
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Pat McGervey
Delegate for |
Friday, 9/5/2008, 1:10 a.m.
More later. Great excitement. Shook hands with John and Cindy McCain and Sarah and Todd Palin.Thank you Joanne Davidson for getting Ohio such great seats!
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Thursday, 9/4/2008, 4:06 p.m.
On Wednesday evening the pledge of allegiance was led by Mary Leavitt of Columbus, Ohio.
There was a series of speakers who talked about entrepreneurship and American ingenuity. The excitement in the hall was electric as we waited for Sarah Palin to speak live to us and to a national television audience.
Mike Steele, former Lt. Governor of Maryland spoke about leadership, the economy and a comprehensie energy plan. Former Governor Mitt Romney focused his remarks on the need for government to "get out of the way" of job growth and economic recovery by lowering taxes and reducing unnecessary regulation. Rudy Giuliani, with much personality and charisma, highlighted the need to take national security seriously, which, he said John McCain and Sarah Palin do and their opponents do not. He said that "John McCain is ready to lead on day one, and Barack Obama is not."
All three of these speakers, as well as Gov. Linda Lingle of Hawaii, pointed to the executive experience of Gov. Palin and the lack of experience of Barack Obama.
Gov. Palin’s family were given a standing ovation when they entered their box seats. Everyone was excited when she came out to speak. Her pointed humor as she addressed her own resume vs. that of her opponents and the differences between John McCain and Barack Obama energized the delegates. Her message and her presentation were very well received. We left there with the sense that Sen. McCain had made a very wise decision in choosing this fellow reformer and fellow maverick with leadership experience and a record of achievement to be his vice presidential nominee. When Sen. McCain came out on stage we were even more excited.
Amherst City Councilman Nick Brusky, who is running for Lorain County Commissioner, called while I was on the floor of the convention hall waiting for Ohio’s chance to vote on John McCain’s nomination for President of the United States.
He said, "I was very impressed with Sarah Palin’s speech tonight. I am even more impressed by her as a candidate. Being involved in local government, I deal with naysayers (I’m running against one) on a daily basis who say they can’t help you without large bureaucracy, high taxes, and influence of special interests. Sarah Palin has proven the naysayers wrong by keeping taxes low, removing the influence of lobbyists, and even taking on the good ole boy network in her own party. She enhances the McCain ticket and her record shows that, like me, if she is elected she will do more with what we have instead of taking more of what you have.”
It was very late before we got back to the hotel in Minneapolis.
This morning, the Ohio delegation was happy to hear from former Congressman, United States Trade Representative and head of the Office of Managment and Budget Rob Portman. Rob talked about the importance of having a president who will work with Congress to reduce spending and to veto unnecessary spending proposals. He said that as he listened to Barack Obama speak at the Democratic Convention he realized, from his work at the Office of Management and Budget, that he would increase spending by over $800 billion!!! This concerned Rob very greatly, and he said it would be disastrous to the American economy.
After Rob spoke he introduced Sen. Joe Lieberman, a former Democrat. Joe said that we need a president who can work with both parties, and he has seen John McCain be quite effective in bi-partisan work to accomplish things for the American people, because he truly puts the interests of the American people before party politics or his own interests.
He said, "John has no patience for the regular back and forth between Democrats and Republicans," and that he works for the American people. He also said very emphatically that in these days of terrorist jihadists, that "This is a big choice. As I am sure you have heard, it comes down to Ohio. Dear friends, the future of America and the free world is in your hands."
A very sobering and humbling thought. We all felt the need to work hard in Ohio to protect the freedoms that so many have sacrificed dearly for.
Mitt Romney also spoke about the importance of Ohio in the general election, and compared the economic policies of McCain/Palin vs. Obama/Biden, showing how a McCain/Palin administration will create jobs while an Obama/Biden adminstration would cause more jobs to flee American soil.
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Wednesday, 9/3/2008, 5:06 p.m.
We had an afternoon meeting with the GOP members of the Ohio House and Senate. Kevin DeWine introduced House Speaker Jon Husted and Senate President Bill Harris. They focused on the need to move Ohio forward to a more business-friendly environment by continuing to lower taxes.
They also spoke of the danger, recognized by Gov. Ted Strickland, that is posed by the initiative on the ballot that would force small businesses to offer sick leave. This bill is seen as a job killer, since other states do not have such laws.
They also talked about school choice and allowing parents to choose alternative schools when their children are in failing schools.
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Wednesday, 9/3/2008, 12:16 p.m.
Our Ohio delegation breakfast was eventful this morning with input from Ohio Attorney General candidate Mike Crites, former New York Gov. George Pataki, U.S. Rep. Shelley Moore Capito, Sidney McCain, daughter of John and Cindy McCain, football hall of famer Lynn Swann, former U.S. John Kasich and Fox News channel’s Sean Hannity. Because I lead this morning’s invocation I got to sit with them.
The invocation I wrote went as follows: "God, our loving Father, you bless us with many gifts, beginning with the gift of life itself, created in your image. We are forever grateful. You create us to be free and to develop our potential in freedom. We humbly ask you to bless all of us gathered here and all who are involved in the election process so that we may be wise, loving, courageous and diligent as we seek to move our country forward. Help us to know, to understand and to speak the truth at all times. Guide each of us to fulfill our roles: candidates, election officials, news media, political operatives, volunteers and especially voters.
May we always seek the common good for our country first, for we owe it to You and to those who have given their efforts and even their lives for us.
We ask your protection on all those who are in danger becasue they choose to serve us."
Mike Crites talked about his experience as a prosecutor for the City of Lima, for his county, and for the federal government. He contrasted this with his opponent’s inexperience as a prosecutor, and said he truly believes he is much more qualfied to be Ohio’s Attorney General.
Gov. Pataki talked about the need for low taxes, a comprehensive energy policy and National Security as reasons he enthusiastically supports John McCain and Sarah Palin. He highlighted Gov. Palin’s experience as governor of Alaska in actually cleaning up corruption as a sign of experience that will help her to be ready to make effective changes in Washington.
Congresswoman Capito of West Virginia said that John MCCain is a patriot rather than a politician. She said the same of Gov. Palin. She spoke of how service to our country requires committment and sacrifice, and that McCain and Palin exemplify this. She also spoke of the need for energy policies that include more domestic oil production and the use of clean coal.
Sidney McCain asked us to vote for her dad and then introduced Lynn Swann.
Lynn Swann emphasized that John McCain offers real hope and real change because he is honest and truthful and understands what really works and what does not. He commended Gov. Palin for turning down the $400 million "bridge to no where" because it was the right thing to do. He spoke of the need for a strong team in order to accomplish things, and said that Gov. Palin is a fitting team member for John McCain.
Congressman Kasich compared John McCain to Ronald Reagan. He said both demonstrated principles over politics, leadership over expediency and courage instead of appeasement. He criticised the media for being sexist in their treatment of Gov. Palin. He also talked about how officials in Florida said they are glad that Ohio has an anti-business tax structure that causes innovative business people to flee the state and create jobs in Florida.
Sean Hannity spoke of how ashamed he is of the media’s treatment of Gov. Palin, as well as their lack of covering Sen. Obama seriously. He contrasted the courageous and principled leadership of Sen. McCain and Gov. Palin with the many votes of "present" cast by Sen. Obama instead of voting on principle.
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Wednesday, 9/3/2008, 12:53 a.m.
I got to the convention hall early. Media from all over the world are present. I do not know if their are more delegates or media people.
Friends from Columbus and around the state offer their encouragement to Nick Brusky and Martin O’Donnell who are running for Lorain County Commissioner
It was an exciting experience to be in the convention hall. We had some inspiring yet not well known people speaking about important things that they do to serve others and to build up our society and our nation. There were also some big names like Laura Bush, Fred Thompson and Joe Lieberman. Each had their own points to make, and there was great excitement in the crowd. The elder President Bush and Barbara Bush received a warm welcome, as did Cindy McCain and her children, as well as John’s mother. The delegation is very excited.
It was overwhelming to watch the video about Michael Mansoor, who died in order to save the lives of other Navy Seals, and to see his family members in the crowd. The seriousness of the high cost of service to others and of the dangerous situation our world is in came close to home. May God bless that family and all the families who have lost loved ones in the name of defending me and my family.
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Tuesday, 9/2/2008, 6:47 p.m.
I attended a Catholics for McCain event at St. Thomas University School of Law. The briefing on the federal judiciary discussed the critical need for a president who will appoint strict constructionist justices to the federal judiciary who understand the role of each of the branches of the federal government.
A McCain presidency could change the makeup of the Supreme Court enought to allow for unborn children to be recognized as human beings with human rights, whereas an Obama presidency would guarantee a fight over abortion that would last at least another generation.
After lunch the Ohio delegation met with members of the U.S. House of Representatives from Ohio.
I had a chance to speak with U.S. representatives Mike Turner, Pat Tiberi, Bob Latta and Deborah Pryce.
I am back at the convention center waiting for the evening session. Rudy Giuliani just finished doing a microphone check.
If you are reading this on Wednesday Sept. 3, thank you Bonnie for covering my shift at Sally’s West Shore Pub in Avon Lake tonight.
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Tuesday, 9/2/2008, 11:03 a.m.
This morning at breakfast we had as our main speaker Karl Rove, former deputy chief of staff of the White House and chief strategist of several succesful presidential campaigns. The first time I met Karl was at a White House luncheon in November 2004. Karl spoke about stories told by a fellow prisoner who served with John McCain in the prison camps of North Vietnam that give clues to Sen. McCain’s inner strength and his character. The main gists of the talk this morning were the importance of Ohio to winning the national election and the fact that the more people know about John McCain and Sarah Palin the more they will appreciate their personal strengths and leadership qualities.
Dr. Michael Parkinson from the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease spoke of his non-partisan efforts to develop public policies, education, and personal decisions that can reduce chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer. diabetes and depression. He spoke about how 90 percent of diabetes is preventable, as is 80 percent of heart disease and 50 % of cancers. He said trhat 75 percent of health care costs go to treating these preventable and trreatable disease, and that early deaths can be prevented and our sky rocketing health care costs can be contained by educating and motivating people to take better care of themselves.
Ohio Supreme Court Justice Maureen O’Connor spoke of the need to retain justices on the court who help to maintain a consistant and predictable judicial climate in the state. Former Ohio Attorney General Jim Petro spoke about how in past times many businesses fled the state because of the high costs brought upon them due to judicial activism and the unpredictable nature of case law in Ohio. Justice Eve Stratton spoke about the need for each branch of government to respect it’s own role and not to over reach, and of the greatness of living in a country with freedom of the press, freedom of religion and a constitution that keeps any one branch from gaining too much control.
Frank Donatelli, Deputy Chair of the RNC, re-emphasized the importance of Ohio in the presidential election.
We are looking forward to meeting with the Ohio Congressioanl delegation and the Catholic working group before heading to the convention sessions this evening.
To my brother Larry back home and to my brother-in-law Michael Diamond who are celebrating their birthdays today, "Happy Birthday!"
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Tuesday, 9/2/2008, 3:44 a.m.
I came down to the lobby this evening and when I got off the elevator I met Mike Huckabee who was going up.
We talked for a few minutes. I told my sister Bridget, and then she told me about her meeting Mitt Romney on the convention floor.
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Monday, 9/1/2008, 9:37 p.m.
We arrived at the convention site in time to find our seats and read over the proposed rules and proposed platform.
I was pleased with how the platform turned out. The rules are rather dry reading and, unlike the platform, not very inspiring. After opening ceremonies and an appeal for aid to the hurricane victims, we got to the parliamentary formalities of voting on procedural issues.
After some perfunctory votes, the credentials, rules and platform committees met in their respective areas. After an hour we came back to the floor to vote on issues finalized by these committees. They all passed.
We already knew that the president would not be coming because of the issues on the Gulf Coast. We were delighted that Laura Bush came out to speak with us and then to introduce video clips of the Gulf states governors reporting on the efforts of their states in aiding their citizens. She was then joined on stage by Cindy McCain.
The Ohio delegation is seated directly in front of the stage.My seat is in the fourth row, so I am about 20 feet from the podium. I can see the color of the eyes of the speakers from where I sit.
After a closing prayer we adjourned for the evening. Later I had some good conversations with State Auditor Mary Taylor and Sen. George Voinovich.
Ohio GOP party official Chris McNulty sends out a shout to his great aunt, Sr. Ann McNulty of Lorain.
I want to thank my wife, Cleta Marie, for holding down the fort while I am away.
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Monday, 9/1/2008, 11:44 a.m.
This morning, as we approached the brekafast session, Mike and Fran DeWine appraoched us to offer condolences on the loss of my brother Joe, who died suddenly of a heart attack on Aug. 5 at the age of 44. Mike mentioned that a friend of his , Father Tom Hagen who is a missionary in Haiti, was praying for Joe and for the family.
Joe leaves his wife, Maureen, and six children.
The breakfast began with an invocation and the pledge of allegiance.
During the invocation we prayed for those suffering from the huirricane, for our armed forces serving in war zones and for all those making decisions that affect the common good.
Ohio GOP Chairman Bob Bennett gave us an update on the hurricane relief collection taken up yesterday. Over $10,000 was collected from the Ohio delegation, and the amount was matched by corporate sponsors. Over $21,000 is being sent to the Red Cross for hurricane relief as a result.
Fran DeWine will continue to collect for this cause.
Jon Seaton, regional campaign manager for the McCain campaign, spoke about the relief baskets being put together in Minneapolis for families affected by the hurricane, and he asked everyone to devote an hour or two to help put them together. He also announced that each McCain Victory Center in Ohio will be a drop off point for canned goods being sent to familes in the affected areas.
Mike DeWine spoke about John McCain’s qualifications to be president, and highlighted the need for a president who will keep taxes lower, appoint federal judges who do not overreach their constitutional authority, take national security seriously and work for the common good instead of partisan interests.
Gov. Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota welcomed us to his state, emphasizing the importance of Ohio in the national election. He talked about the need for accountability in government, in education and in health care. He bemoaned the fact that so many of our young people drop out of high school. He spoke of the need for our society to help young people to develop their talents to the greatest extent possible in order to be succesful and to build our country.
At the breakfast I had a chance to talk with former Attorneys General Betty Montgomery and Jim Petro and current state Auditor Mary Taylor.
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Sunday, 8/31/2008, 11:19 p.m.
I flew in to Minneapolis-St. Paul this evening with my sisters, Bridget Schuster and Kathleen McGervey.
We came here to be part of history, but were more conscious of those who may be part of history facing the ordeal of the hurricane on the Gulf Coast. Our prayers are with them. We are proud of the volunteers from Lorain County who are going to that area in case their services are needed.
My mother and my brother, Jack, flew in earlier and connected with other Ohio delegation members. Sen. George Voinovich and former Sen. Mike DeWine took up a collection for those who could be affected by the hurricane, and asked for prayers for those in it’s path.
We are all excited about Gov. Sarah Palin. Her committment to good government that serves the needs of the people instead of the needs of the politicians is what we need in Washington. Not only is her personal story compelling, but her leadership in running the state of Alaska is an example of the common good triumphing over corruption.
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Sunday, 8/31/2008
I am Pat McGervey, an at-large delegate from Ohio to the Republican National Convention. My wife, Cleta Marie, and I have been married for 21 years. We have five children. The contrast between the pro-life platform planks, policy initiatives and court appointments of the Republican Party and Republican office holders vs. the pro-choice planks, itnitiatives and appointments of the Democrats motivated my movement from the Democratic Party to the GOP. Two of my sisters are 13th district delegates, and my mother and one of my brothers are alternates. We are looking forward to taking part in this historic event and in working to elect John McCain President of the United States.
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Filed by The Chronicle-Telegram Staff September 7th, 2008 in Local and State. Popularity: 7% |
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