Convention Delegates Pleased with Experience
By: Kevin Flanigan
Updated: September 13, 2012
ALTOONA, BLAIR COUNTY - The National Political Conventions for this election cycle will wrap up Thursday evening with the close of the Democratic Convention in Charlotte. But many of those who attended the recent conventions say they will be feeling the effects for some time.
It takes a lot of time and effort to get elected as a delegate or alternate to a National Political conventions. But for a couple of local representatives who attended the recent Republican National Convention in Tampa, the results were worth the effort.
This recent gathering was sixth National Republican Convention attended by Altoona City Councilman Bruce Kelley. He says there in nothing like attending a national convention in person. In his view if you are interested in politics, attending the national convention is the ultimate trip. He called it a political junkie's dream come true just to be in the atmosphere and hear all the speeches by elected officials and party leaders from across the country.
While the conventions no longer play an active role in selecting presidential candidates, Alternate Delegate Judy Ward says there is still a lot of value in coming together with other committed party activists. In her view is was the trip to Tampa was worth while because it put every body on the same page and provided a unique perspective for delegates about their Presidential Candidates.
Both of the alternate delegates say they came back from the gathering in Tampa energized and looking forward to attending future gatherings of the Republican party despite the time and expense involved.
It takes a lot of time and effort to get elected as a delegate or alternate to a National Political conventions. But for a couple of local representatives who attended the recent Republican National Convention in Tampa, the results were worth the effort.
This recent gathering was sixth National Republican Convention attended by Altoona City Councilman Bruce Kelley. He says there in nothing like attending a national convention in person. In his view if you are interested in politics, attending the national convention is the ultimate trip. He called it a political junkie's dream come true just to be in the atmosphere and hear all the speeches by elected officials and party leaders from across the country.
While the conventions no longer play an active role in selecting presidential candidates, Alternate Delegate Judy Ward says there is still a lot of value in coming together with other committed party activists. In her view is was the trip to Tampa was worth while because it put every body on the same page and provided a unique perspective for delegates about their Presidential Candidates.
Both of the alternate delegates say they came back from the gathering in Tampa energized and looking forward to attending future gatherings of the Republican party despite the time and expense involved.
