Owensboro’s Tom and Barbara Watson are enjoying the catbird seat at the Republican National Convention tonight in Cleveland.
“My wife is up there next to the Fox News booth. You wouldn’t believe the amount of national media in this building right now,” Watson told Owensboro Living tonight above the noise of the loudspeakers in Quicken Loans Arena. “Todd Inman (also from Owensboro) is down there somewhere too.”
The arena was full to the rim, creating an energizing environment Watson described as “organized chaos.” The Watsons and Inman had been in their seats since 7 p.m. awaiting Donald Trump’s speech, which is expected to be an hour long and run well past 11 p.m. or midnight. “Since seven, it’s been one speech after another,” Watson said. “Mitch McConnell addressed the whole delegation. Mike Pence did a wonderful job. And Trump came down for the end of Ted Cruz’s speech.”
The highlight of the night, so far? “A six-year-old girl opened the night by singing some patriotic songs. She was magnificent!”
Halfway through the evening, Watson says there have been no major incidents – so far. “We did see the protesters out on 4th Street, but the police presence here has been unbelievable. They’re here from all over the United States,” he said, noting that there was a policeman in the hotel, one on the bus that drove them to the arena, and a line of officers securing the perimeter of the building to keep the delegation safe.
“This has been a truly remarkable experience. This place is just full of people who want America to be for everyone again.”
