Good Evening to all,

I just returned from the first day of the inaugural Texas Straw Poll taking place in beautiful downtown Forth Worth.  Townhall.com and KSKY radio collaborated on putting this event together with the Republican Party of Texas, and so far it has been an outstanding opportunity for grassroots activism at it's best.

Nationally syndicated conservative radio personality Hugh Hewitt broadcast his show live from the main exhibit hall of the convention center.  The crowd was thoroughly entertained by Mr. Hewitt's observations on the city of Fort Worth and his excitement on finding what he termed "the best humidor I've ever seen" while on an impromptu stroll around the downtown area.  After regaling the crowd with that "tobacco" tale and informing everyone of his dinner plans, Mr. Hewitt welcomed his first guest to the podium.  Duncan Hunter, candidate for President, was greeted warmly by the crowd in the convention center when he spoke with Mr. Hewitt for several segments of the show.  Hunter, to his credit, had spent the entire day on the convention hall floor shaking hands and talking to the many voters who stopped by his campaign booth.

Texas' own Senator John Cornyn next joined Mr. Hewitt on stage and received enthusiastic applause for his stand on immigration and the war in Iraq from the partisan crowd.

Although Ron Paul was heavily represented at the convention center, he had not made an appearance by the time I left the building.  Someone needs to take Mr. Paul to the side and let him know that although voters don't mind a little campaigning by staffers at these types of events, there is something to that old saying about "even too much of a good thing".  The floor of the convention center was literally inundated with Ron Paul operatives who took every opportunity to shove literature and large banners in delegate's faces.  I spoke with one delegate who stated a Paul staffer had accosted him as he was attempting to register for the event, requesting he register two Paul staffers as his guests (effectively giving them two more bodies on the center floor).  He thankfully refused the request.  Others obviously did not.  I would venture to say that there were as many Paul staffers on the convention floor as there were delegates at any one time.

I'm with Fred fans, FredHeads, and Friends of Fred were plentiful as well.  Senator Thompson's announcement of his candidacy declaration on Sept. 6^th in Tennessee has energized those faithful that have patiently waited since his "hint" at a run back in March.  Many of the delegates sported campaign buttons and stickers signaling their support of Mr. Thompson.

Tomorrow is of course the big day for this event.  Voting in the Straw Poll will commence at 12:00 and the results will be announced later in the afternoon.

See you then.