Checking-in from the RNCC

Beers with Demo is sparing no expense in stem to stern coverage of the Presidential election procedings. We've got our resident Donkey, Mongo, with his take on the Democratic National Convention, our man 'Dawg in the field in Fallon, Mo. taking-in a McCain/Palin campaign event and now our friend Mark from the NYC (and native of the great state of Minnesota) is reporting-out on the goings-on in the Twin Cities including a dinner recommendation and a chance encounter in a Minneapolis/St. Paul restroom (.... oh no, not again!)

"Being "on the ground" in the Twin Cities during the convention has been
fascinating thus far... and now that Gustav overkill has subsided, the
partying is beginning to gain steam. People-watching is amazing... with
downtown St. Paul and downtown Minneapolis full of both delegates and
dignitaries walking around.

Monday night: by sheer luck, I happened to
find myself at "the" place to see and be seen: Pezzaluna Italian
restaurant in St. Paul, a few blocks from the Xcel Energy Center. Andrea
Mitchell walked in... alone I might add... and after shaking a few hands
walked back out to her limo... alone. Serves her right for spewing her
liberal venom amid a group of conservatives. She seemed much shorter
than I imagined... although she seemed to be slouched over and cowering
as she ran out... so maybe that's why.

Minnesota's Republican Senator Norm Coleman also came in, and spent several minutes working the room.
He seemed very relaxed... obviously not too concerned about beating
comedian Al Franken in November. But the highlight last night was
meeting Bill O'Reilly from Fox News! Although... I'm embarrassed to
say... our "meeting" took place in the men's room. No... not a urinal or
stall interaction. We actually both found ourselves washing our hands at
the same time... a perfect opening to strike up a conversation. I
welcomed him to St. Paul and asked if he was enjoying his stay. After a
few more awkward pleasantries, he recommended that I order the risotto
(which I did)... and left, only to be seated with his entourage only two
tables away from us.

I noticed that they all drank iced tea... and
ordered salads (was the risotto recommendation just small-talk??) I
also noticed (was I staring?) that nobody seemed to pay the tab before
they left... hmmm. All and all an interesting first night of the
convention in St. Paul!"



Thanks for that correspondence, Mark. Hey, if we're eating and drinking on someone else's tab, we're definetely firing-up shots. What's the matter with these people?

We look forward to hearing how the rest of the week plays-out.