C.O. RNC delegates share perspective from Tampa

Rep. Greg Walden said he would be watching Paul Ryan’s speech in House Speaker John Boehner’s box at the Republican National Convention. And two Central Oregon delegates are taking part in the convention in Tampa..

One is a Central Oregon delegate and the other is an alternate delegate.

The delegates NewsChannel 21 talked with Wednesday tell us they are energized, especially after the speeches by nominee Mitt Romney’s wife Ann Romney, and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie.

They told us the experience has been wonderful — and there’s still two days left.

When it was Oregon’s turn in the traditional roll call to declare its delegate votes at the convention on Tuesday, standing to the left of Oregon Republican Party Chairman Allen Alley was Central Oregon’s delegate, Carroll Dressler.

“It was a great privilege, because I was representing all the people that elected me at the June 23 convention,” Dressler said.

Dressler is one of 53 Oregon delegates in Tampa for the convention.

“I have watched an event like this since I was a little girl growing up in Chicago,” Dressler said. “I had my 24-year-old daughter next to me, giving me support, and we were finally doing what we were elected as delegates to do.”

Their role was to officially nominate Mitt Romney as the Republican candidate for president.

“There’s a chemistry that continues to develop here between Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan that is really energizing republicans,” Walden said.

Walden says the convention is a great way to meet with supporters around the country.

“I’m interested to see what plays, what works, and the reaction of the Republican base,” Walden said. “If they aren’t fired up, then there’s no hope — but they’re fired up.”

It’s working for Central Oregon’s alternate delegate, John Philo.

“It’s really amazing to me to see the process,” Philo said. “I hope that I can bring that back and energize people in Deschutes County and the Republicans in all of Central Oregon.”

Philo is an alternate, meaning he fills the spot in case somebody can’t be on the floor. But he says that has an advantage.

“I’m up above the floor in our section, but I have a better view of it,” Philo said.

It’s given him a good view of speeches by Ann Romney and Christie. Philo says it’s given him a great vantage point to see a piece of history.

“You just take away that piece of history,” Philo said. “It’s something that most people don’t experience in their life.”

“We are all going to go out to our respective precincts and work our butts off to get Romney and Ryan elected,” Dressler said.

Philo said while some people see the conventions as a lot of fluff, it’s a meaningful process to help people connect with their government.