Casper Star-Tribune - Lummis Takes Cancellation in Stride

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Casper Star-Tribune - Lummis Takes Cancellation in Stride

By RON GULLBERG

Cynthia Lummis was back in Wyoming on Tuesday, choosing to focus on the positives she gained from the Republican National Convention rather than the speech she wasn't able to deliver in St. Paul, Minn.

"I developed an additional sense of commitment that my party is on the right track to reform," Lummis said during a cell phone conversation before returning to the Cowboy State. "A year ago I was concerned my party might choose the path to least resistance and maintain the status quo."

Lummis' scheduled two-minute speech Monday was canceled because the first day of the convention in the Xcel Center was cut short as the nation turned its focus toward Hurricane Gustav.

The former state treasurer and current U.S. House candidate arrived in St. Paul on Sunday to practice her speech. "I've never used a teleprompter," said Lummis, who faces Democrat Gary Trauner in the November general election.

Then came word that President Bush and Vice President Cheney also wouldn't be speaking Monday.

But Lummis practiced her delivery anyway, just in case a slot opened later in the week.

On Monday, while en route to the Xcel Center, Lummis' ride was slowed by demonstrations outside the arena. She saw police in riot gear and a few altercations.

"Monday was an unusual day," Lummis said.

When informed she definitely would not be speaking before the delegates this week, Lummis said she took the news in stride.

"Being a rancher, I'm very accustomed to the weather affecting my business, and so it comes as no surprise the weather can affect your public or political life as well," she said.

Lummis said her speech focused on energy and the economy.

"The focal point was on the importance of a diverse energy economy that includes oil, gas, coal, nuclear power, renewable and conservation, and then tying those diverse energy sources to the economy," she said. "Because developing more of that power domestically will create jobs, create revenue for the federal treasury to offset the need for new taxes, and address energy and national security as well."

Lummis planned to wrap up her speech by highlighting "Wyoming's role in doing all of those things."

Both Lummis and Wyoming Republican delegate Greg Schaefer thought the decision to limit Monday's events to three hours was the right call in light of Hurricane Gustav.

"It was done by five o'clock," Schaefer said. "I thought it was a somber tone, I thought it was an appropriate tone. I was disappointed [Lummis wasn't able to speak], but you have to think about those people on the Gulf Coast. I'm glad [RNC officials] did what they did."

Schaefer is an oil industry executive from Gillette.

He said the mood in the Xcel Center had returned to "a more regular convention feel" by the time he arrived at 5 p.m. Central Time on Tuesday. Schaefer was eager to hear Connecticut Independent Sen. Joe Lieberman and former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson speak later in the evening.

But Schaefer was really excited about tonight's speech by vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin, the Alaska governor.

"We're really looking forward to tomorrow night and getting to know Sarah Palin," he said. "... My initial reaction was, 'Who?' I had heard of Sarah Palin but I never knew of Sarah Palin, and after listening to her basic positions, she was an easy person to warm up to."

Schaefer said he admires Palin's "openness" and her "pro-life" and "pro-family" stances. He also thinks she has "done a good job of being an administrator."

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