Drake lost speech time with Monday's changed schedule
By Julian Walker
The Virginian-Pilot
© September 2, 2008
ST. PAUL, MINN.- If anybody can relate to the events that shaped the early moments of the Republican National Convention, it's U.S. Rep. Thelma Drake of Norfolk.
She lost her moment on the national stage.
Along with many other party officials, Drake's scheduled speaking slot was cut from Monday's convention agenda as the nation braced for the impact of Hurricane Gustav along the Gulf Coast.
Concerns about government response to severe weather are well-known to Drake, who represents a Hampton Roads region that is familiar with such storms and questions about how to evacuate residents.
Drake, 58, is a two-term member of the U.S. House of Representatives and a former member of the Virginia House of Delegates. She is locked in an election fight with former diplomat Glenn Nye, 33.
During a breakfast meeting with Virginia's delegation, Drake expressed disappointment that her speaking slot was eliminated. She noted the honor was mostly noticed by "clerks in the dry cleaner, cab drivers, people have looked at me these last few days and said, 'Wow, you get to speak.' "
Convention officials have said they hope to reschedule the displaced speakers for other times during the remainder of the convention, which was originally scheduled to end Thursday. But Drake is departing Minnesota this morning.
"After all, I am in a race," she said Monday. "And not just a race for myself, but a race for John McCain and Sarah Palin as well."
She said that her husband, Ted Drake, a state GOP delegate, will remain.
In an interview last Thursday, Drake said her speech would focus on McCain's "experience and judgment."
Republicans have questioned U.S. Sen. Barack Obama's readiness to be president, in part because the Democratic nominee is a first-term senator.
Source URL (retrieved on 09/02/2008 - 09:28): http://hamptonroads.com/2008/09/drake-lost-speech-time-mondays-changed-schedule