(NAM Executive Vice President Jay Timmons is blogging from the Republican National Convention this week in St. Paul, Minn., following up on his reports from the Democratic Convention last week in Denver.)

Had lunch with an old friend, Mark Buse, John McCain’s Chief of Staff in the Senate. As might be expected at the McCain nominating convention, Mark had to balance the bites of food in front of him, with calls from his boss.

Mark is someone who knows John McCain well – he first started working for then-Congressman McCain in 1984. Although he went into business for himself four years ago, the Senator called Mark back into public service earlier this year when he named him Chief. Prior to his stint in the private sector, Mark was the staff director of the Senate Commerce Committee where he worked with the Senator to advance common sense economic policy that promoted competition and growth.

My conversation with Mark reminded me that John McCain has a knack for surrounding himself with competent and knowledgeable folks. In addition to Mark, Rick Davis – the manager of the presidential campaign – has been a long-time loyalist of McCain. And the senior strategist Senator McCain recently brought on board – Steve Schmidt – is well-known as one of the most skilled and savvy campaign professionals in the country.

Most notable, in a town where long-term employment is often defined as anything exceeding 12 months, and relationships are too many times merely transactional, loyalty is a premium. John McCain hires well, and his team is known for their devotion and loyalty to him. That speaks volumes.

(NAM Executive Vice President Jay Timmons blogged last week from the Democratic Convention in Denver, and this week he contributes his observations from the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minnesota.)

With Hurricane Gustav bearing down on New Orleans, the entire tenor of the 2008 Republican Convention has changed.  Already dedicated to “service,” the focus of convention activities is now on how attendees, and all Americans, can assist in easing the fallout of the storm.

Many events are still on the schedule, but instead of celebrations and parties, organizers are instead turning them into fundraisers for charitable causes that will assist potential victims in the Gulf region.  Discussions on how to change the direction and focus of convention activities began on Saturday as the storm gathered strength and appeared to be on a path similar to the 2005 Hurricane Katrina.  On the way into a Saturday reception honoring the CEO of the convention, Maria Cino, ABC News (Brian Ross reporting) was attempting to unfairly denigrate attendees prior to the storm.  When asked if it was appropriate to attend such an event two days before the storm had reached land, I responded “I think if the hurricane hits New Orleans there will definitely be a lot of change of plans.”

And change there has been.  Those who know Maria Cino know she is one of the few professionals who could turn around years of planning on a dime.  The official session today has been shortened to focus on the mandatory business of the convention (democracy must proceed and the party must nominate its candidate in order for him to appear on the ballot in November) and to hear appeals from First Lady Laura Bush and Cindy McCain for assistance for those in harm’s way. President Bush and Vice President Cheney, who were both scheduled to address the convention today, instead focused on the hurricane, working with State and local officials and deploying FEMA resources prior to impact.

As a member of the American Red Cross National Capital Area Board of Directors, I have been working with organizers of some events to help them change the focus and make them opportunities to raise funds for the Red Cross, which is the first to respond in a natural disaster.  Volunteers who had come to Minneapolis to party are now assembling relief packages that will be soon shipped to the impacted area.

It’s the right thing to do and Republican convention officials and the McCain campaign have responded admirably to a difficult situation.

(Note: NAM’s Executive Vice President Jay Timmons is blogging from the National Democratic Convention in Denver this week.)

The gavel has come down on the 2008 Democratic Convention. The parties have ended and the work begins in earnest for Democrats.

Tomorrow, Senator Obama will enter the final stretch of the 2008 campaign. It’s time to focus on the future and to leave the partisan speeches in Denver. It’s time to talk about:

• energy policies that increase domestic supply and promote alternatives
• lower taxes for all working Americans and their employers
• free trade policies that expand international markets for U.S. products
• protecting the secret ballot in union elections
• improving crumbling infrastructure to get our country moving again

It’s been an honor for the NAM team to attend the Democratic convention to promote manufacturing and the nearly 14 million men and women who work in manufacturing. Soon it will be the Republican’s turn on stage, and the NAM will be present in Minneapolis promoting the same common sense solutions to improve our economy, create jobs and improve the American quality of life. (NAM Policies.)

This year, let’s hold the nominees for President, Senate and the House to the highest standard possible. We need to ignore the predictable campaign rhetoric, reject the urge to be intrigued by the typical “gotchas” the media is sure to report, and look beyond the 30 second campaign commercials. We have an obligation to ask the candidates to outline their specific plans to improve America. Because when the music ends and the banners are folded, it is the philosophy, principles and policies of our elected officials that truly matter to real people in the real world.

(Note: NAM’s Executive Vice President Jay Timmons is blogging from the National Democratic Convention in Denver this week.)

Most Americans can remember exactly where they were and what they were doing when a major historical moment occurs. I remember my precise location when I heard the joyous news that the Iranian hostages had been freed and a few months later the horrific report that President Reagan had been shot. I don’t think I’ve met another American who can forget where they were when the Twin Towers fell.

If you happen to see Tiffany Adams, NAM’s Vice President for Public Affairs, in about a quarter of a century, ask her about today – August 28, 2008 – and what she was doing. I’m looking at her right now, bounding to her feet at Invesco Field with 70,000 others who are screaming at the tops of their lungs. I guarantee Tiffany will never forget this moment, and if you know her, you know she will be more than willing to tell you about it!

A pro-business Democrat, Tiffany is a highly respected trade association professional in Washington and is responsible for organizing the hundreds of dialogues that the NAM sponsors between manufacturing workers and their Representatives and Senators. As a black American, she understands that today – 45 years to the day that Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his famous speech – the King Dream is reaching a new pinnacle. Tiffany is proud and excited. And the tears flowing down her cheeks are clearly tears of jubilation.

The crowd was in rapt attention when the Senator said “Four years ago, I stood before you and told you my story – of the brief union between a young man from Kenya and a young woman from Kansas who weren’t well-off or well-known, but shared a belief that in America, their son could achieve whatever he put his mind to. It is that promise that has always set this country apart – that through hard work and sacrifice, each of us can pursue our individual dreams but still come together as one American family, to ensure that the next generation can pursue their dreams as well.”

And so it is for millions of others who thought this day might never come. Americans revere history and they respect those who make it. Barack Obama deserves the respect of all Americans on this day.

In future days, the NAM stands ready to assist him in strengthening America, whether he is elected President or continues to serve the people of Illinois in the Senate.

Al Gore spoke to the crowd.  He seems to still be reliving the fact that Americans turned him away eight years ago. Really sir, it’s time to move on.

(Note: NAM’s Executive Vice President Jay Timmons is blogging from the National Democratic Convention in Denver this week.)

Colorado Governor Bill Ritter and First Lady Jeannie Ritter were the gracious hosts to a diverse group of international guests at an event sponsored by NAM member company 3M at the Governor’s residence Wednesday.

Jeff Rageth, 3M’s Vice President for Government Affairs, opened by noting that 3M manufacturers in 70 countries around the world and sells products in over 200 countries.  American innovation and commerce is key to building strong economies around the world, and 3M is a vivid example of why free trade is good for the United States and the world.

The event was co-hosted by the National Democratic Institute, an organization working to strengthen and expand democracy worldwide. As part of its International Leaders Forum, NDI brought observers – party and elected leaders in emerging democracies – to the Democratic National Convention from across the globe to witness democracy in action.  The Prime Minister of the Republic of Mauritius, Navinchandra Ramgoolam, made note of the unique and powerful role that NDI has in promoting democracy and democratic principles.  (Side note: Mauritius made news earlier this month as bantomweight boxer Bruno Julie became the first Olympic athlete from that country to ever secure a medal – a bronze).

Last year, I had the opportunity to work with NDI’s sister organization, the International Republican Institute (IRI) when the organization sent me to Cambodia to work with four political parties in developing policy proposals and platforms for their upcoming national elections – something many nascent democracies are not familiar with.  NDI and IRI are vital partners in advancing the cause of freedom and democracy around the world.  When Americans get frustrated with our political system, we need only look at the struggles of billions who live in the shadow of tyranny and oppression to understand how blessed we are to live in our country.

(Note: NAM’s Executive Vice President Jay Timmons is blogging from the National Democratic Convention in Denver this week.)

It is official.

Barack Obama has been nominated by the Democratic Party for President of the United States, the first African-American to ever achieve this honor. Regardless of your political stripe and who you are ultimately voting for, it is awe-inspiring to witness history in the making.

The NAM congratulations Senator Obama on this monumental achievement.

(Note: NAM’s Executive Vice President Jay Timmons is at the National Democratic Convention in Denver this week, and he’ll be blogging events, adding his insights as both a veteran of Senate and campaign politics and as a top representative of the U.S. manufacturing economy.)

Ran into Senator Tom Harkin of Iowa at the “Frosted Pink” reception for breast cancer awareness.  Seeing him reminded me of the NAM’s work with him, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer and others on the ADA Amendments Act.

The ADA bill responds to court rulings over the years that have narrowed the application of the Americans with Disabilities Act, making sure that people with disabilities have the full opportunity to work, while ensuring employer flexibility when managing the workforce.

We are hopeful that the Senate will take up this important bipartisan compromise when Congress returns in September. It’s the right thing to do.

This is another example of how non-traditional allies can work together for the good of the country.

(Note: NAM’s Executive Vice President Jay Timmons is at the National Democratic Convention in Denver this week, and he’ll be blogging events, adding his insights as both a veteran of Senate and campaign politics and as a top representative of the U.S. manufacturing economy.)

It is rare at a political convention to see a non-partisan event.Thanks to a dedicated group of sponsors – including NAM members Shell, Phrma, Entergy, Nuclear Energy Institute, American Chemistry Council, American Gas Association, American Petroleum Institute, Lockheed-Martin, and Duke Energy — Denver was home to a star-studded event to raise funds for the “Friends of New Orleans” organization. The Friends Group is dedicated to helping rebuild New Orleans after the devastating 2005 Hurricane Katrina and has brought together political professionals and public servants from both sides of the aisle in this noble effort.

Uber-power couple (Republican) Mary Matalin and (Democrat) James Carville were in attendance, with Carville taking center stage to thank attendees and generate support for the cause. (Event poster.) The same sponsors will be hosting another “New Orleans All-Star Jam-Balaya” at the GOP Convention in Minnesota next week.

The show of support for the people of New Orleans is a vivid reminder that determined leaders can work together without regard to political party. Let’s hope that bipartisanship extends into the next Congress on issues that matter to all manufacturing workers across the United States.

(Note: NAM’s Executive Vice President Jay Timmons is at the National Democratic Convention in Denver this week, and he’ll be blogging events, adding his insights as both a veteran of Senate and campaign politics and as a top representative of the U.S. manufacturing economy.)

Big Labor Bosses are flexing their muscles at the Democratic Convention, proving how vital the dues they collect from unionized workers are to Democrat political objectives.

Karen Ackerman, the AFL-CIO political director, gave a sneak peak yesterday at the massive $53 million the union will unload to influence unsuspecting voters.

Here are a few of the highlights:

• One million pieces of mail going out today in four target states: Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin
• A goal of 10 million doors to be knocked on
• Over 25 million pieces of mail before election day
• 70 million phone calls
• 250,000 volunteers

The focus of today’s mailer, according to Ackerman, is to build awareness of the Obama record in the Senate showing that “he is a partisan and will not cave.” (So much for letting the nominee move to the political center to attract independent voters.)

Overall, the AFL-CIO Big Labor Bosses say they will engage in 510 races from statehouses to the White House to “build a sustained movement,” including 61 U.S. House campaigns and 11 U.S. Senate campaigns.

Ackerman also indicated that the unions will deploy union lawyers and poll watchers on Election Day as part of a “voter protection program”. Given their focused determination to eliminate the secret ballot in union organizing efforts, voters might want to be a little concerned about the “protection” the Big Labor Bosses want to provide.

More:

• Rocky Mountain News, “Fractured labor unions displays unity at DNC rally“
• Financial Week, “AFL-CIO unveils $50 million campaign for Obama “
• AFL-CIO events during Democratic National Convention
• The AFL-CIO blog, reporting from Denver.