2008 Presidential Campaign Blog

Minneapolis Saint Paul 2008 Host Committee Names Woody Johnson As National Finance Chair

Minneapolis Saint Paul 2008 Host Committee Names Woody Johnson As National Finance Chair

MINNEAPOLIS SAINT PAUL, MINN. (July 18, 2008) – The Minneapolis Saint Paul 2008 Host Committee has named Robert Wood (Woody) Johnson IV to serve as National Finance Chair.  As the National Finance Chair, he will lead the effort to help raise money from across the country to put on a world-class convention.

Johnson, who has deep roots in Minnesota, is chairman and CEO of The Johnson Company, Inc. and chairman and CEO of the New York Jets.  His mother still has a family home in White Bear Lake.

“We are very pleased to have someone of Woody’s caliber to lead our national fundraising effort as we approach the goal line of the 2008 Republican National Convention,” said Doug Leatherdale, Chairman of the Board of the Minneapolis Saint Paul 2008 Host Committee. “Money raised by the Host Committee relieves the burden that would otherwise fall on government and taxpayers.  Woody’s leadership in the coming weeks will be extremely valuable as we prepare for this historic event.”

The Host Committee recently reached its goal of raising up to $39 million by July 15, as stipulated in its contract with the Committee on Arrangements for the Republican National Convention. The Host Committee will continue to raise funds to cover costs associated with the Convention such as rental of the Xcel Energy Center and RiverCenter; the costs of producing CivicFest; insurance, parking relocation and transportation; planning and implementing hospitality and events for media and delegates; and additional preparations to ensure delegates and visitors have a positive experience during their visit to Minneapolis Saint Paul.

“I’m honored to have been asked to serve as the National Finance Chair for the Host Committee,”  Johnson said.  “Ensuring the presidential nominating convention has the funds it needs to put on the best convention in history is critical to Minneapolis Saint Paul.  People will be pleasantly surprised by what the cities have to offer.  The Xcel Energy Center is a tremendous site for nominating a candidate to be the next President of the United States.”

The money raised and spent by the Host Committee will be fully detailed following the Convention in a report to the Federal Elections Commission (FEC) and the IRS, as required by law. In addition, Host Committees for Minneapolis Saint Paul and Denver will be audited by the FEC, which also is required by law.

Republican Party Of Iowa Announces National Convention Delegation

RPI Announces National Convention Delegation

(Des Moines) – Following an energetic 2008 State Convention, the Republican Party of Iowa is announcing its delegation to the Republican National Convention. The national convention will be held at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota from September 1 – 4.

Iowa Republicans will be represented by 40 delegates and 37 alternates. Twenty-two of the national delegates and their alternates were approved as a slate by the 1,347 voting delegates at Saturday’s convention. Fifteen delegates and alternates were chosen the night before at the District Presidential Caucuses with three delegates and alternates elected from each of Iowa’s five Congressional Districts.

The final three members of Iowa’s delegation will be RPI Chairman Stewart Iverson, National Committeeman Steve Roberts, and National Committeewoman Phyllis Kelly.

At-Large Delegates

Ike Ackerman, Bremer
Carmine Boal, Polk
Andy Christiansen, Polk
Bill Clark, Polk
Robert Cramer, Polk
Ed Failor, Jr., Muscatine
Sandy Greiner, Washington
Reid Houser, Pottawattamie
Roger Hughes, Hamilton
Morris Hurd, Des Moines
Drew Ivers, Hamilton
Katie Koberg, Polk
John Ortega, Scott
Kim Lehman, Polk
Bill Northey, Dickinson
Steve Scheffler, Polk
David Roederer, Polk
Loras Schulte, Benton
Lisa Smith, Wapello
Bob Vander Plaats, Plymouth
David Vaudt, Polk
Craig Williams, Carroll

At-Large Alternates

Jacob Bossman, Woodbury
Katherine Betts, Linn
Ray Dearin, Story
Ricky Dean, Mahaska
Tim DeMouth, Johnson
Katherine Farrand, Linn
David Fisher, Polk
Chuck Hurley, Polk
Drew Klein, Jasper
Mark Lundberg, Sioux
Ellen Markham, Dubuque
Chris McGowan, Plymouth
Shelly Pitts, Dallas
Lynn Proudfoot, Polk
Carmen Reitsma, Mahaska
Stephanie Laudner, Floyd
Liz Schofield, Clinton
Monte Shaw, Guthrie
Larry Smith, Madison
Scott Spray, Polk
Luana Stoltenberg, Scott
Jerry Tweeten, Winnebago

District Delegates

Sen. David Hartsuch, Scott
Matt Reitsetter, Black Hawk
Mike Knopf, Dubuque
Edward Thornton, Johnson
David Chung, Linn
David Miller, Jefferson
Diana Hansen, Poweshiek
Peggy Herman, Polk
Ted Sporer, Polk
Polly Granzow, Hardin
T.J. Augustine, Webster
Tamara Scott, Warren
Vergene Donovan, Dickinson
Ann Trimble-Ray, Sac
Mary Ann Hanusa, Pottawattamie

District Alternates

Steve Hoodjer, Butler
Nicole Baker, Clinton
Jeremiah Johnson, Dubuque
Bob Anderson, Johnson
Sarah Henderson, Linn
Rose Eaton, Linn
Roger Barr, Jasper
Charla Farnum
Wes Enos, Polk
Glen Massie, Warren
A.J. Spiker, Story
Crystal McIntyre, Warren
Linda Holub, Woodbury
Kurt Brown, O’Brien
Nancy Bowrey, Page

National Convention Committee Members

Credentials:
Steve Scheffler
Katie Koberg

Permanent Organization:
Loras Schulte
Vergene Donovan

Rules:
Steve Roberts
Sandy Greiner

Resolutions:
David Chung
Lisa Smith

CivicFest, Held In Conjunction With The Republican National Convention, Announces Exhibit Sponsors

50 Days Out: CivicFest Announces Exhibit Sponsors
Local companies commit to being a part of history by sponsoring more than a dozen exhibits at CivicFest

MINNEAPOLIS SAINT PAUL, Minn. (July 14, 2008) – The Minneapolis Convention Center will transform into CivicFest central beginning Aug. 22 thanks in part to 15 corporate sponsors committed to civic engagement and being a part of history.

CivicFest, which is produced by the Minneapolis Saint Paul Host Committee, will be held in conjunction with the Republican National Convention at the Minneapolis Convention Center from August 29 to September 4, 2008. CivicFest is a nonpartisan celebration of American and Minnesota political and statehood history showcased through more than 35 world-class exhibits, artifacts and memorabilia.

Never again will these exhibits be displayed as a collection in one place.

"Minnesota has several unique and amazing assets, but one that stands out is the undying civic engagement of our corporate community," said Cynthia Lesher, president of the Minneapolis Saint Paul 2008 Host Committee. "We are both proud and thankful that our corporations see the value in bringing American and state history to our community through their support of CivicFest."

CivicFest exhibits and corporate sponsors include:

• Information Booth – 3M Company
• President’s Walk Exhibit – Ameriprise Financial, Inc.
• Three Centuries of Political Memorabilia – Associated Bank
• Live Stage – Best Buy Co., Inc.
• Air Force One – The Boeing Company
• Presidential Timeline Exhibit – Carlson
• White House Entertaining Exhibit – Ecolab Inc.
• First Ladies Gown Exhibit – Medtronic, Inc.
• Convention Floor Exhibit – Qwest Communications International, Inc.
• Presidential Health Exhibit – St. Jude Medical, Inc.
• Oval Office Exhibit – Target
• Walleye School of Fish Exhibit – The Travelers Companies, Inc.
• Minnesota Greatest Generation Exhibit – UnitedHealth Group
• Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Exhibit – U.S. Bank
• Hail to the Chief Exhibit – Xcel Energy Inc.

About CivicFest

CivicFest: A Very Minnesota Celebration is a family-friendly, once-in-a-lifetime interactive and multimedia experience, featuring more than 35 education and entertaining exhibits, historic memorabilia and artifacts celebrating Minnesota and American history, democracy and the U.S. presidency. CivicFest is being produced by Maxene Fernstrom for the Minneapolis Saint Paul 2008 Host Committee. For more information, visit www.civicfest.org.

2008 Platform Committee Launches Interactive Web Site

2008 Platform Committee Launches Interactive Web Site
Republicans Across the Country to Actively Participate in Development of Party Platform

SAINT PAUL, Minn. - Today, Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairman Robert M. "Mike" Duncan, Platform Committee Chairman U.S. Rep. Kevin McCarthy (Calif.-22) and Platform Committee Co-Chairman U.S. Sen. Richard Burr (N.C.) announced the launch of www.GOPPlatform2008.com, the first, entirely web-based initiative that allows voters across the nation to actively participate in the development of the 2008 Republican Party Platform.

"For more than 150 years, Republicans have met every four years to adopt a platform that outlines the principles and policies upon which the Party stands. We are proud that the development of the 2008 Republican Party Platform will be more interactive, inclusive, and open than any other in political history," Duncan said.

"Today, new and innovative technology allows us to engage those who have not been involved in the political process before," said convention President and CEO Maria Cino. "Here at the 2008 Republican National Convention, we also remain committed to engaging as many Americans as possible through numerous interactive initiatives."

"We are seeking the most input through this historic opportunity to use a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week Internet town hall," McCarthy said. "We know Washington is not a place for solutions, so we are reaching out across the nation to create a forward-looking platform rooted in our core values with solutions that create prosperity today and for the next generation."

Burr said, "We are excited that this process will facilitate greater transparency and participation in the development of the 2008 Republican Party Platform than ever before. The Platform Committee will form the foundation for our future and this innovative tool will allow people with all points of view to participate in this critical discussion."

This process, unique to the Republican Party, will allow voters to provide input on a variety of issues important to the American people. Creating an account on www.GOPPlatform2008.com allows voters to have full, interactive access to the Web site. Account holders can use the text and video submission tools, participate in in-site polling, and monitor individual entries on a personalized index page. Every submission will be catalogued and reviewed leading up to the official Platform Committee meetings at the end of August in Minnesota to ensure every participant's voice is heard.

As part of its efforts to hold the most technologically savvy convention in GOP history, the 2008 Republican National Convention remains committed to providing increased interactive accessibility to millions of Americans through numerous innovative initiatives including social networks, YouTube, Ustream.tv, and through the GOP convention blog.

Mayors Coleman And Rybak Declare Week Of June 23 Convention Volunteer Sign-Up Week In Minneapolis Saint Paul

MAYORS COLEMAN AND RYBAK DECLARE WEEK OF JUNE 23 CONVENTION VOLUNTEER SIGN-UP WEEK IN MINNEAPOLIS SAINT PAUL

Mayors Unveil Red Carpet Convention Package for the Individual Who Recruits the Most Volunteers For 2008 Republican National Convention

MINNEAPOLIS SAINT PAUL, MINN. (June 23, 2008) – Saint Paul Mayor Chris Coleman and Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak, joined by the Minneapolis Saint Paul 2008 Host Committee, declared the week of June 23 – June 27 Convention Volunteer Sign-Up Week in Minneapolis Saint Paul and unveiled a Red Carpet Convention Package that will be awarded to the individual who recruits the most volunteers to participate in the 2008 Republican National Convention.

“Never before have we had this opportunity to showcase our cities to the world,” said Saint Paul Mayor Chris Coleman. “This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience and we encourage Minnesotans to show their Minnesota Nice by signing up this week.”

The Red Carpet Convention Package will include tickets to three of the hottest parties during the Convention including: the media party on Saturday, August 30; the delegate party on Sunday, August 31; and the Host Committee welcome reception on Monday, Sept. 1.  These parties are not open to the public.

“There are many amazing opportunities for Minnesotans to participate in this unique event and because most of the Convention-related activities take place in the late afternoon and evening, people can maintain their normal work schedule and still participate in history,” said Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak. “More than 45,000 guests from around the world will be visiting our state and it is our time to show our Minnesota hospitality and volunteer spirit.”

There are currently more than 6,000 individuals signed up to volunteer at the Convention. Volunteers will perform key duties in the areas of transportation, information services, hospitality and special events at various locations before, during and after the Convention, which will be held September 1-4 at the Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, Minn.

“The support of the community has been tremendous thus far as we work to reach our goal of recruiting 10,000 volunteers,” said Cynthia Lesher, president of Minneapolis Saint Paul 2008 Host Committee. “The Red Carpet Convention Package gives us a chance to share the excitement of the Convention with someone who helps recruit volunteers to make this event a success.”

Prospective volunteers can apply online at www.msp2008.com where they will complete a secure, online application consisting of personal information and a summary of their skills and experience. All applicants must be 18 years-of-age or older and must be willing to undergo a security background check as well as attend orientation and training sessions conducted by Convention organizers. Volunteer applications will be accepted through July 15.

To be eligible for the Red Carpet Convention Package, individuals should send an email to volunteer@msp2008.com prior to completing the online application.  The Host Committee will provide a referral code that should be entered into the online application and used by anyone recruited by that individual.  Participants must recruit a minimum of 25 volunteers who commit to participating in mandatory training and at least two shifts during the Convention. The winner of the Red Carpet Convention Package will be announced August 13.

The Minneapolis Saint Paul 2008 Host Committee has hosted multiple volunteer sign-up events throughout the metro area as part of their volunteer recruitment efforts. Additional events are planned for this week including a week-long volunteer sign-up station at Mall of America.

Monday, June 23:

· Mall of America in Sears Court 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

· St. Paul Saints Game  6 p.m.

Tuesday, June 24:

· Mall of America in Sears Court 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Wednesday, June 25:

· Mall of America in Sears Court 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Thursday, June 26:

· Mall of America in Sears Court 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

· Minneapolis Farmer’s Market 10:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Friday, June 27:

· Mall of America in Sears Court 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Volunteers will be performing duties at a variety of venues including CivicFest: A Very Minnesota Celebration. More than 1,000 volunteers are needed for CivicFest, which will be held at the Minneapolis Convention Center from August 29 to September 4, 2008, and will feature more than 35 world-class exhibits, including a replica of the Oval Office, a model White House, exhibits dedicated to Minnesota business and innovation, and more. A special team of dedicated volunteers will act as exhibit guides, assistant curators and docents. Interested individuals should possess an avid interest in historical items and the desire to share that information with visitors of all ages. Volunteers must be 18 years of age or older and available for at least three 4½ hour shifts from August 28 – September 4. For more information, go to www.civicfest.org/docents.

Monster, the leading global online careers and recruitment resource and flagship brand of Monster Worldwide, Inc., created the online volunteer recruitment portion of the Web site.

2008 Republican National Convention Names ShadowTV Official Broadcast Monitoring Provider

2008 Republican National Convention Names ShadowTV Official Broadcast Monitoring Provider
Service to deliver real-time notification of convention coverage across the nation

SAINT PAUL, Minn. - To help monitor the massive amounts of media coverage expected during the 2008 Republican National Convention, President & CEO Maria Cino today announced ShadowTV, Inc., as the convention's Official Broadcast Monitoring Provider.

"The excitement and energy of the 2008 Republican National Convention will be documented by 15,000 journalists from around the world - making it second only to the Olympics in terms of press coverage," Cino said. "It is important that we have the technology to document the broadcast coverage of the convention, and ShadowTV will help us track what the broadcast media is saying about it."

As the Official Broadcast Monitoring Provider, ShadowTV will provide the convention with digital, continuous access to live and archived broadcast coverage of the 2008 Republican National Convention. ShadowTV's patent-pending technology will provide the convention with real-time notification when convention-related news is reported by any of the more than 250 television stations ShadowTV monitors across the nation.

"The real-time capability of ShadowTV is second-to-none," Cino added. "And the digital technology will go a long way toward our promise of a greener convention as we avoid the necessity of using non-recyclable video tapes."

"We are proud the Republican National Convention selected us as the official video monitoring service for this high profile event," said Joachim Kim, ShadowTV's founder and President. "Our real-time alerts and ability to search live broadcasts and years of archives from around the country will allow the 2008 Republican National Convention staff to immediately identify and pass along important news coverage to all appropriate contacts."

About ShadowTV
ShadowTV® is a new patent pending streaming video service. It was developed from the ground up to manipulate video for efficient delivery via the Internet. ShadowTV can provide all-digital continuous-access to live and archived television content via the web. It enables financial institutions, advertising agencies, PR agencies and other corporations to monitor televised news and commercials for financial reports, competitive intelligence, and shareholder relations. ShadowTV can be found online at www.shadowtv.com.

About the Republican National Convention
The 2008 Republican National Convention will be held at Saint Paul's Xcel Energy Center from Sept. 1-4, 2008. Approximately 45,000 delegates, alternate delegates, volunteers, members of the media and other guests are expected to attend the convention. Minneapolis-Saint Paul is expected to receive an estimated $150-$160 million positive economic boost from the four-day event. For more information about the 2008 Republican National Convention, please visit our website at www.GOPConvention2008.com and join our social network sites on Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, and YouTube.

Roseville's Blackstone Named Winner Of The "Wave The Stars & Stripes" Essay Contest

ROSEVILLE’S VICTORIA BLACKSTONE NAMED ‘WAVE THE STARS & STRIPES’ ESSAY CONTEST WINNER
St. Agnes freshman to lead convention event in Pledge of Allegiance;
Essay contest entries to be sent to Minnesota Guard in Iraq

(SAINT PAUL, Minn.) – The 2008 Republican National Convention, and its partners: the Saint Paul Pioneer Press, Microsoft Corp. and Qwest Telecommunications International, Inc., today announced that Victoria Blackstone, 15, from Roseville, Minn., is the winner of the "Wave the Stars & Stripes" essay contest.

Blackstone, a freshman at St. Agnes School in Saint Paul, will lead an official convention event in the Pledge of Allegiance during the week of Sept. 1-4. Her 434-word essay, “Pledging Myself to the Flag of the United States of America,” won out over a group of ten finalists.

Mark Rugnetta, 13, an eighth-grader at Eagle Ridge Junior High School from Savage, Minn., was named runner-up with his 337-word essay entitled “Colors on Cloth.”

Both Blackstone’s and Rugnetta’s essays will be published in the June 15 edition of the Pioneer Press. Each student will also receive laptop computers provided by Qwest and Xbox 360 systems from Microsoft.

“We congratulate Victoria and Mark on having the best essays among the hundreds of students in the Minneapolis-Saint Paul community who chose to accept our challenge to be creative and share with us what the American Flag means to them,” said Jo Ann Davidson, convention Chairman and contest judge. “I look forward to seeing Victoria perform her role in an historic Republican National Convention – one where the world will tune in to witness our party’s nomination of Sen. John McCain and the launch of his final path to the White House.”

Essays from the ten finalists were presented to the Saint Paul Central Library, site of today’s announcement, for display. In addition, all “Wave the Stars & Stripes” entries are to be sent to members of the 851st Vertical Engineer Company of the Minnesota National Guard, who are now serving in Iraq.

“We are sending these essays to the 851st so that they can know what the students of Minneapolis-Saint Paul have to say about the American Flag,” Davidson said.

Ten finalists were selected from the hundreds of entries from the Minneapolis-Saint Paul area and judged by a local panel.. Davidson was joined by Rachel Stassen-Berger, political reporter for the Pioneer Press; John Sampson, Director of Federal Government Affairs of Microsoft Corp.; John Stanoch, Qwest Minnesota President; former Minneapolis City Councilman, Brig. Gen. Denny Schulstad (USAF, Retired); Chas Anderson, Deputy Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Education; and Leah McLean, KSTP news anchor.

All finalists will receive a package of education software from Microsoft, in addition to Zune media players. The remaining finalists are:

• Erin Cichanski (Maple Grove, Minn.), 13, Maple Grove Junior High School, Grade 7
• Thomas D’Agostino (Woodbury, Minn.), 14, Saint Ambrose of Woodbury, Grade 7
• Christopher Fiore (Lakeville, Minn.), 16, Christian Life School, Grade 10
• Katharine Golightly (Saint Paul, Minn.), 17, Faith Baptist Christian School, Grade 11
• Brendan Halleron (Victoria, Minn.), 16, Holy Family Catholic High School, Grade 10
• Emily Hoffmann (Minnetonka, Minn.), 16, Holy Family Catholic High School, Grade 11
• Sandra Opokua (Saint Paul, Minn.), 15, Cleveland Junior High School, Grade 8
• Sam Roden (Eden Prairie, Minn.), 15, home schooled, Grade 8

The contest was open to schoolchildren, grades 7-12, from the local seven-county area of Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott and Washington counties. The 500-word essays answered the question: "What does the American Flag mean to you?" In keeping with the convention's promise to be the greenest in GOP history, entries were collected electronically through the convention's website: www.GOPConvention2008.com and through the Pioneer Press' website: www.TwinCities.com.

Minneapolis Saint Paul 2008 Host Committee Seeks Volunteers For Republican National Convention

MINNEAPOLIS SAINT PAUL 2008 HOST COMMITTEE SEEKS VOLUNTEERS FOR REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION
10,000 Volunteers Needed, Nearly 4,000 Already Signed Up

MINNEAPOLIS SAINT PAUL, MINN. (June 9, 2008) – With Minneapolis Saint Paul continuing to make headlines as the 2008 Republican National Convention nears, the MSP 2008 Host Committee announced today that it has signed up almost 4,000 of the 10,000 volunteers needed for the Convention. Volunteer applications will be accepted through the end of June.

Volunteers will perform key duties in the areas of transportation, information services, hospitality and special events at various locations before, during and after the Convention, which will be held September 1-4 at the Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, Minn.

“It’s been 116 years since Minnesota hosted a national political convention and now is the perfect time for Minnesotans to get involved in this history-making event,” said Cynthia Lesher, President of the Minneapolis Saint Paul 2008 Host Committee. “We have always shared a great pride in our state and we now have the unique opportunity to showcase all that is great about Minnesota through many exciting and fun opportunities that will occur during the Convention.”

About 1,000 volunteers are needed for CivicFest, which will be held at the Minneapolis Convention Center from August 29 to September 4, 2008 and will feature more than 35 world-class exhibits, including a replica of the Oval Office, a model White House, exhibits dedicated to Minnesota business and innovation, and more.

“The eyes of the nation will be upon us in September and we are looking for help from Minnesotans to make this Convention memorable for the 45,000 people expected to come to Minneapolis and Saint Paul,” said Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak. “It is time to roll out the red carpet and show our guests the type of hospitality that Minnesotans are famous for.”

The Minneapolis Saint Paul 2008 Host Committee will continue to host volunteer sign-up events throughout the metro area as part of their volunteer recruitment effort.

“This is the chance to not only witness history, but also to participate in it,” said Saint Paul Mayor Chris Coleman. “This is truly an opportunity to be an ambassador for your community to promote all that Minneapolis Saint Paul has to offer.”

Prospective volunteers can apply online at www.msp2008.com/volunteer where they will complete a secure, online application consisting of personal information and a summary of their skills and experience. All applicants must be 18 years-of- age or older and must be willing to undergo a security background check as well as attend orientation and training sessions conducted by Convention organizers.

Monster, the leading global online careers and recruitment resource and flagship brand of Monster Worldwide, Inc., created the online volunteer recruitment portion of the Web site.

2008 Republican National Convention Names Microsoft Official Technology Provider

2008 Republican National Convention Names Microsoft Official Technology Provider

SAINT PAUL, Minn. - Once again highlighting its commitment to holding the most technologically-savvy convention in Republican Party history, the 2008 Republican National Convention today named Microsoft Corporation as its Official Technology Provider.

"Microsoft stands as one of America's success stories, always at the leading edge of technology," convention President and CEO Maria Cino said. "Our goal has always been to make our convention the most exciting, energetic, and tech-savvy in GOP history, and Microsoft will play an important role in helping us achieve our objectives."

Under the agreement, Microsoft will provide the convention with support for various products, including Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Forefront Security Suite, and its Office Communications Server. Microsoft will also provide knowledge to streamline collaboration using the Microsoft Office suite and Sharepoint technologies to manage convention infrastructure ranging from collaborative virtual workspaces to applications like Professional Volunteer Management System, Venue Scheduling System, and others created by SharePoint. The electronic collaboration will improve staff efficiency and reduce paper usage - a key provision of the convention's green commitment.

In addition, Microsoft is proud to be showcasing the next generation of computing, using Microsoft Surface and its natural user interface technology to provide a digital concierge for convention participants. Surface will enable attendees to interact with and consume the latest convention and local city information, including transportation routes, hotel locations, restaurant guides, and entertainment options. Convention participants will also be able to transmit and share photos taken at the convention using Surface technologies. Microsoft and the convention will continue to find ways to leverage Microsoft's technologies and experienced support teams to make the convention the most tech-savvy in history.

"Microsoft welcomes the opportunity to provide software and technology services to the Republican National Convention, and to work with convention staff to develop new ways to engage delegates and voters," said Brad Smith, Senior Vice President and General Counsel, Microsoft. "Technology plays an increasingly important role in America's political discourse and Microsoft is proud to be helping foster increased interactivity for voters during this election year."

About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

About the Republican National Convention
The 2008 Republican National Convention will be held at Saint Paul's Xcel Energy Center from Sept. 1-4, 2008. Approximately 45,000 delegates, alternate delegates, volunteers, members of the media and other guests are expected to attend the convention. Minneapolis-Saint Paul is expected to receive an estimated $150-$160 million positive economic boost from the four-day event.

Statement from the Republican National Convention On Senator Obama's Visit Today To St. Paul

STATEMENT FROM 2008 REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION SPOKESMAN MATT BURNS ON SEN. OBAMA'S VISIT TODAY TO SAINT PAUL, MINN.: "The Xcel Energy Center hasn't hosted anyone who skates and flips as much as Senator Obama since the U.S. Figure Skating Championships were in town and the Minnesota Wild were eliminated from the hockey playoffs. We look forward to Senator McCain's visit to Saint Paul in September, where he will accept our party's nomination and offer a more substantive vision for leading America forward than the spectacle witnessed tonight."