David Holt from the Republican Convention NewsOK.com Blogging Community

Friday, the Oklahoma delegates will all fly home or begin their drives back.  There are no events scheduled.  In other ends, it’s over.

This was a truly historic, fascinating week that will long be remembered in American political history.  It really began last Thursday night, with a speech by Barack Obama that probably won this year’s prize for political stage craft.  That left many Republicans wondering if trying to follow that was like trying to plan the 2012 Olympic Opening Ceremonies. 

But then within 12 hours, Sarah Palin changed everything, and the crazy week really took off. 

Then, the RNC began under a cloud of cancellations and nonpartisanship, due to Hurricane Gustav.  And finally, by Wednesday and Thursday, it had evolved into what appears to be a massively successful event, launching John McCain and Sarah Palin quite possibly into frontrunner status, and certainly no worse than a tie.   

This was a fun week for all of these Oklahomans to be a part of, and I thank you for following the adventure via this blog.  Godspeed.

Sometime around 11 p.m., National Committeeman Lynn Windel and Senator Jim Inhofe cast Oklahoma’s votes.  They were expected to be 39 for John McCain and 2 for Ron Paul, but ended up being 41 for McCain (more on that in a minute).   Lynn is retiring this week from his position, and Senator Inhofe is Oklahoma’s senior Senator, and he’s up for re-election.

Mick Cornett was standing next to Senator Inhofe and made sure he said “the home of the Oklahoma City Thunder” during the traditional “brag” portion of the vote casting.

The two votes that were expected for Ron Paul were from delegates that had been allocated to Mike Huckabee, and those folks could now legally vote for whoever they wanted.  (See more explanation of delegates here.)

The first time Senator Inhofe got the floor, he passed, as all states at this point were trying to allow Arizona to put McCain over the top.  The second time he got the floor, after McCain had been nominated (noted with “green” confetti on the big screen), Senator Inhofe was mistakenly cut off by the chairwoman, who announced all 41 votes for McCain.   My understanding is that that’s the way it stayed.

Here’s the view from behind Senator Inhofe and company.

This was taken during Huckabee’s speech.

The delegates are in their seats, and the second night is underway.  After two days of being here, and very little politics to show for it, I suspect the delegates are ready to let loose.  Should be a fun night.  The highlights will clearly be Fred Dalton Thompson and the 2000 Democratic Vice Presidential nominee Joe Lieberman.

As I type, they’re playing AC/DC’s “Thunderstruck.”

Word has just been given to media that Laura Bush will speak at 4:50 p.m. and Cindy McCain will speak at 5 p.m.  This is a deviation from the previous “no speeches” plan.

You know how different it feels when you’re at a basketball game and your team is up 2, versus when your team is down 2?  More news like this poll from Zogby, and these delegates will be energetic all week.