While the media everywhere seem to offer nothing but doomsday predictions for the GOP in November, the folks here in Spokane seem impervious to any such message. I arrived here in Spokane yesterday afternoon to participate in my first ever political convention as a McCain delegate and the energy here is anything but gloomy....I've found it to be lively, hopeful and exciting.

Last night at the welcome reception I managed to snag a photo with initiative guru Tim Eyman, surely one of Washington state's most influential people. Tim is perhpas most revered and hated for the simple reason he reminds voters that their voice matters and he continues to remind polticians that they are accountable.

Presiding over the convention floor this morning, state GOP chairman, Luke Esser, easily roused 1300+ delegates, alternates and guests into a battle cry when he simply asked, "Are we done with Christine Gregoire or what?"

Dino is the clear first cause of this energy. Several political insiders told me that in 2004 Dino was not given the priority he deserved as a candidate and yet went on to win two out of three ballot counts. A collective "mea culpa" has generated what I would call a real "fire in the belly" sense of mission about his candidacy this time around. He elicits an immediate sense of unity and cause like no other candidate I've ever seen.

In fact, the mission to get Dino (re)elected is so strong I've personally witnessed Ron Paul and McCain delegates sharing and playing nicely together whenever Dino's name is mentioned....perhaps the solution to world peace is right here in RedCounty, Washington!