Blogging the Republican National Convention—Day 2

The first science moment of the day at the Republican National Convention came at 8:55 p.m. from an unlikely person: President Bush.

Beamed in by satellite onto the extra-large video screen dominating the dais at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota, Bush veered for a second into actual policy on a day set aside officially to honor service to country and John McCain’s war record. Bush, who endorsed McCain as a man to follow when there’s a tough call to make,” also gave a brief nod to the Republican nominee’s future energy policy. In a statement that drew some of the president’s biggest cheers from the crowd of delegates, Bush said McCain would “lift the ban on drilling for offshore oil today.”

The day’s only other science moment would come about an hour later when Connecticut Senator Joe Lieberman made a brief reference to McCain taking action on global warming, without saying exactly what it was that McCain had done or planned to do.

Hurricane Palin

After Hurricane Gustav delayed events on Monday, the RNC returned to business as usual on Tuesday, with delegates filing into Xcel later in the day for widely promoted speeches by Lieberman and former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson. But the day was truly dominated by McCain’s vice presidential pick, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin. News shows broadcast from Minnesota’s capital city talked of nothing but the predicament Palin and her family find themselves in by running on the national ticket.

Delegates also talked of little else. And while it was clear that the GOP was circling the wagons around the Palin, there was also a very clear sense that for many delegates, her addition to the ticket solidified their support for McCain and erased many doubts about his conservative credentials. If anything, it appeared to strengthen their support for Palin, with many criticizing the media and pundits for “elitist” comments regarding her background.

John D. Frier, an aide to a former Illinois governor, lambasted the nation’s obsession with Palin’s family, saying the election would be dominated by “ticky-tacky” issues. “We are a tabloid country,” Frier said.

Science issues off the agenda

If the RNC is any indication, those monitoring the campaign ahead with science in mind are likely to come away feeling unsatisfied. Tuesday night was a time to highlight the candidates personally. But key themes emerged through the night in speeches that began with Minnesota Sen. Norm Coleman, who welcomed delegates to St. Paul, a city where he had been mayor and helped build the Xcel Energy Center, at which the convention is being held.

The speeches indicate that campaign issues ahead come straight out of the Republican playbook that has helped the party rally its base in the last two elections and win. Speaker after speaker touted McCain’s commitment to defending human life, along with his opposition to big government and raising taxes. Neither Palin nor McCain is expected to hit policy hard in their convention speeches ahead, meaning that answers about health care, funding for scientific research, energy policy, and various policy remedies for global warming need to be spelled out in the relatively short time remaining in the campaign.

A key figure to watch for in the convention speeches ahead is Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty . Widely considered the runner-up for the vice presidential pick, Pawlenty is viewed as a potential cabinet pick if McCain wins. It is highly likely he would be posted to the Department of Energy. In 2007, Pawlenty pushed policy called the Next Generation Energy Initiative , which set some of the nation’s most far-reaching greenhouse gas reduction goals. Pawlenty has also been an advocate at the national level in promoting energy efficiency, renewable energy strategies, and awareness of climate change as chair of the National Governors Association.

Tuesday was marred by protesters’ skirmishes with police late in the evening. More are expected Wednesday night, with local law enforcement on high alert as Palin and McCain finally arrive at the convention.

Jill Jungling