David Holt from the Republican Convention NewsOK.com Blogging Community

The 9:00 p.m. hour (Oklahoma time) is critical to the success of the RNC.  It is the one hour that the broadcast networks give to the RNC, and they do everything they can to make sure their best speeches are featured.  In a bit of last minute shuffling, the RNC flipped Rudy so he would immediately  precede Palin, and then dropped a scheduled Palin biographical video.

Former NYC mayor Rudy Giuliani delivered an all-time great Convention speech, leaving some in the audience to ask “Where was this guy in the primary?”  

Here is a pic I took. 

This was taken during Huckabee’s speech.

The program continued with former governor Mike Huckabee.

Huckabee received 33 percent of the vote on February 5 in Oklahoma, and won two of the five Congressional districts.  John McCain won with 36 percent.

Here’s a pic from the Oklahoma section.

The “big name” part of the program got rolling tonight around 8 p.m. with former governor Mitt Romney. 

Romney finished third in Oklahoma on February 5, not winning any Congressional district, but still getting almost 25 percent of the vote. 

Here’s a pic I took from the Oklahoma section.

As per tradition, the delegation took a group photo this afternoon, about two blocks from the Xcel Center, in the Lowry building.  

We started taking the photo at 4:50 p.m., and by the time we were done, Oklahoma City’s NBA team was officially the Thunder.

Here’s the view from the back row.

I can’t imagine any political leader in modern times has gone from obscurity to the most anticipated RNC speech in decades in less than one week. 

These people love Sarah Palin, and they cannot wait to let her know.  And in a few hours, they will get their chance.  The flood of emotions will likely be incredible. 

And the Northeast media’s arrogant and sexist treatment of this accomplished American governor has outraged people here, and I suspect, Americans everywhere.  As usual, their best efforts are backfiring, but this may take the cake.  The net effect here has been a massive increase in support for Palin, which seemed hard to imagine since Republicans were practically dancing in the streets the day she was announced. 

I could be wrong, but I think the roof is gonna come off the Xcel Center tonight.  With what we got to see of her last Friday, it’s hard to imagine that tonight’s performance won’t solidify her status as a superstar.

This morning, the Oklahoma and Louisiana delegations got together at the Louisiana hotel, the Crowne Plaza in Minneapolis, to hear from former Oklahoma Congressman J.C. Watts, Jr.

The Oklahoma delegation bus went to the wrong Crowne Plaza first, but still arrived on time.

Before the start of the program, the Oklahomans stood up and serenaded the Louisianans with “Oklahoma!”  If Louisiana has a state song, they didn’t grace us with it.

J.C., for whom I interned during college, remarked at how many old friends were in the room.  He delivered a rousing sermon, touching on various topics.   He caused a standing ovation when he implied that the media’s outrageous attacks on Sarah Palin were motivated by their frustration at the brilliance of the pick.  He quoted their internal thoughts as: “You dirty Republicans – you appointed a real person!”

The “breakfast” lasted until 11:15.

The delegation is wearing their blue blazers with the Oklahoma patch and khaki pants again today, though some were dressed casual for the breakfast.  We’ll add a red tie to that ensemble tonight, as the delegation photo will be taken at 4:50 p.m.

Many of the delegates are headed to various events today, and some to the Mall of America.

Bob Sullivan is an at-large Delegate.

Bob lives in Tulsa, and is most well-known for having sought the Republican nomination for governor in 2006.  Previous to that, he served as Secretary of Energy under Governor Keating.  He also led the effort in 2006 to have an initiative appear on the ballot that would require at least 65 percent of education funding to be spent in the classroom.

In his real life, and he’ll tell you he’s no politician, he runs a family-owned energy exploration company, Sullivan & Company.  His wife is Jeanne, and they have six children.

The repercussions of Monday’s cancellation are continuing to be felt.  Mayor Cornett became the third Oklahoman to lose his Convention speaking slot today, joining previous cancellations for Congressman Cole and Senator Coburn. 

This has evolved into kind of a bummer of a week for the Oklahoman delegation, after the pre-Convention hype of getting to see four Oklahomans on the dais.  Only one is now left – Mary Fallin.  I assume at this point we won’t know her status until tomorrow morning.

The disappoinment is greatest for Oklahoma City, because Mayor Cornett was going to have the opportunity to brag on us a little bit, and the accomplishment of being the only sitting Mayor on the agenda was historic for OKC.  But, it is what it  is. 

Here are George and Barbara Bush, sitting next to Cindy McCain.  They were sitting in the family/VIP box.