politico.com, Tuesday July 20th
Mary Walken Calls Husband “A True American Hero”
The first night of the Republican convention in Dallas say appearances by a number of top party leaders; men who have sought or held some of the highest offices in the land but for all the star power the night belonged to one Missourian woman – the candidate’s wife Mary Walken.
Mrs. Walken had long shunned the spotlight, happily sitting in her husband’s formidable shadow and concentrating on raising their four children. Last night she made a rare public appearance speaking to the crowd in Dallas in support of her husband.
“Some may say I’m a little biased, but I know that Glen is the best man to lead this country.” Mrs. Walken said.
She received numerous standing ovations during her 10 minute speech most notably when she talked of her husband’s three days in the White House during the Zoe Bartlet kidnap crisis. “I remember getting a call from Glen late at night, all he said was ‘Mary – you might want to get the kids, the secret service is on it’s way.’ He never wavered, never thought would he should do, he put his country in front of everything and I know he’d do the same tomorrow. That’s the kind of man he is…..”
Mrs. Walken was one of four key note speakers on the first night of the convention. The bill was topped by 2002 Presidential candidate Robert Ritchie who told the convention that Walken was outstanding leader of this generation. He also said that they wouldn’t repeat the mistakes of his presidential campaign when they thought it was enough to simply not be the Democrats. “It’s can’t just be that we are not them, it’s can’t just be about their failings – Glen Walken has made a compelling case for a conservative Republican future and it’s time for us all to seize the moment.”
In other highlights, Texas Governor Phil Prior wooed the crowd by telling them he wouldn’t sleep from then until polling day if it got in the way of delivering the Lone Star state to Walken.
The afternoon session saw House Minority Leader Jim Arkin talk of the need for legislative leadership from the White House and attacked the current administration for their partisan approach to governing. Minnesota Governor Michael Jack, a leading contender for the Vice-Presidency spoke of how the party must build a wide coalition to win in November and beyond.
In a surprise appearance Matthew Skinner filled in for disgraced Ohio Senator Thomas Ford who withdrew following his shock primary defeat last month. Skinner told the crowd that his very presence on the stage spoke to how the party had a wide base. He also praised Walken as a “fearsome opponent” and “truly the best man to be the next President of the United States.”
In another surprise former first lady Libby Lassiter appeared briefly to introduce her husband’s former Vice-President L.D. Eisenhower.
Mary Walken Calls Husband “A True American Hero”
The first night of the Republican convention in Dallas say appearances by a number of top party leaders; men who have sought or held some of the highest offices in the land but for all the star power the night belonged to one Missourian woman – the candidate’s wife Mary Walken.
Mrs. Walken had long shunned the spotlight, happily sitting in her husband’s formidable shadow and concentrating on raising their four children. Last night she made a rare public appearance speaking to the crowd in Dallas in support of her husband.
“Some may say I’m a little biased, but I know that Glen is the best man to lead this country.” Mrs. Walken said.
She received numerous standing ovations during her 10 minute speech most notably when she talked of her husband’s three days in the White House during the Zoe Bartlet kidnap crisis. “I remember getting a call from Glen late at night, all he said was ‘Mary – you might want to get the kids, the secret service is on it’s way.’ He never wavered, never thought would he should do, he put his country in front of everything and I know he’d do the same tomorrow. That’s the kind of man he is…..”
Mrs. Walken was one of four key note speakers on the first night of the convention. The bill was topped by 2002 Presidential candidate Robert Ritchie who told the convention that Walken was outstanding leader of this generation. He also said that they wouldn’t repeat the mistakes of his presidential campaign when they thought it was enough to simply not be the Democrats. “It’s can’t just be that we are not them, it’s can’t just be about their failings – Glen Walken has made a compelling case for a conservative Republican future and it’s time for us all to seize the moment.”
In other highlights, Texas Governor Phil Prior wooed the crowd by telling them he wouldn’t sleep from then until polling day if it got in the way of delivering the Lone Star state to Walken.
The afternoon session saw House Minority Leader Jim Arkin talk of the need for legislative leadership from the White House and attacked the current administration for their partisan approach to governing. Minnesota Governor Michael Jack, a leading contender for the Vice-Presidency spoke of how the party must build a wide coalition to win in November and beyond.
In a surprise appearance Matthew Skinner filled in for disgraced Ohio Senator Thomas Ford who withdrew following his shock primary defeat last month. Skinner told the crowd that his very presence on the stage spoke to how the party had a wide base. He also praised Walken as a “fearsome opponent” and “truly the best man to be the next President of the United States.”
In another surprise former first lady Libby Lassiter appeared briefly to introduce her husband’s former Vice-President L.D. Eisenhower.
