Kevin D. Korenthal, September 7, 2004

On September 2nd 2004, as President Bush prepared to give his much-anticipated speech to the Republican Convention at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY, more than 700 Southern California Bush Supporters assembled to watch the President deliver his speech live, via satellite. Talk Radio 790 KABC and Conservative Talk Radio Personality and Columnist Al Rantel did their evening broadcast live from the rally and that really added to the over-all awesomeness of the event.

Going into Thursday, it was clear the GOP Convention was an unmitigated success. With California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Georgia Democratic Senator Zell Miller delivering grand slam speeches on Tuesday and Wednesday night, it was thought that President Bush would need only to deliver a mediocre speech to deem the Convention a runaway hit with the voters. The president, in usual "misunderestimated" style instead delivered one of the best speeches of his presidency, if not the best speech of his career.

The party we had at "Route 66 Classic Grill" in Santa Clarita, CA was a success beyond the imagination of all those who helped put it together. What was most spectacular to me was the dignity and celebration displayed by almost everyone there. I know of only one instance of anyone getting out of line at the event Thursday night. It seems an over-drunk attendee acted out some unknown rage by splashing beer all over one of the hosts. To this individual's credit, he called the event organizer the next day and apologized. His apology was accepted and we hope to see him at our next event. That is unless he has an AA meeting to attend that evening.

One of the concerns we had going into this event was that we might be protested. As I am sure you've heard, California is home to some of the most vehement Bush-bashers found anywhere. They must have all flown to New York to make nuisances of themselves on the streets of New York City because we received no protesters. That is not to say there were no John Kerry supporters though. Indeed, there was exactly 1 person at the event bold enough to be wearing a Kerry pin on his shirt. "Wade" was a nice enough guy though. Unlike many of his fellow Kerry "supporters," Wade was respectful and actually had some very valid (although irrelevant) criticisms of the President's handling of The War On Terror and specifically The War In Iraq. When I encountered him at the event, I immediately set out to determine if this guy's intent was to disrupt our harmonious and celebratory gathering or not. It turned out he had no intention of spoiling our event. In fact, Wade was such a good sport that he agreed to debate Al Rantel and his College GOP panelists live on the show. He did well even if he is concerned with one pixel at the expense of the entire picture.

We had the President's speech blaring over the indoor/outdoor PA system and showing on the 12 TV's inside the restaurant as well as the 65 inch HDTV Monitor outside on the performance stage. While reviewing some of the digital pictures I took as I witnessed the president's speech on the Big Screen with about 300 of my close friends I spotted a photo of a man off to one corner of one of the pics wiping tears from his eyes with a tissue. Indeed, the president's speech was in places uplifting and in others cautionary and bittersweet. But right along with the GOP Delegates on the floor of the convention in New York hundreds of Bush supporters all the way over on the Left Coast roared and clapped their approval at many points during the president's speech.

As I bade our guests goodnight from the stage that evening, I asked the crowd if they would be interested in doing another event like this soon. I left the stage to the sound of whoops, hollers and applause. I guess that's a yes!

Copyright © 2004 Kevin D. Korenthal