Yuma delegate appears on Fox News and NBC during Republican National Convention

Cindy Baker capitalized on a once in a lifetime opportunity Wednesday evening in St. Paul, Minn., when she appeared on both Fox News and NBC as part of the Arizona delegation to the 2008 Republican National Convention.
 
"I told my daughter before I left I would try to get on Fox News," the Yuma delegate said of her appearance. According to Baker, representatives from the cable news network approached her after Arizona cast their vote in favor of John McCain's presidential nomination.
 
She said it was a "once in a lifetime opportunity. I appreciate it."
 
Baker spoke to The Sun just after noon Thursday, the final day of the convention. Her voice was still raspy from the jubilation of the previous night.
 
She said crowds had already started gathering outside the Xcel Energy Center in anticipation of McCain's speech that night.

Given McCain's proficiency for town hall type speeches, Baker said she expected him to be engaged with the audience Thursday night.
 
"McCain has a different style," she said in comparing him to the performance given the previous night by his running mate, Sarah Palin.
 
Palin's speech was "outstanding," she said. "The delegates were going ballistic, chanting 'Sarah.'"

As for much of the media coverage surrounding Palin's family and political credentials, Baker said, "I've been somewhat disgusted with some of the ways the media has been handling it."
 
In regards to charges circulating that Palin and other members of her party stretched the truth in their speeches this week, Baker says, "Obviously you can't just believe everything these people say, but she's been a mayor and a governor. Look at the public records."
 
In fact, Baker said that all of the speeches she heard were outstanding, but that Palin's speech exceeded expectations.
 
She said Palin addressed energy, foreign policy and issues surrounding her political experience with seriousness and a touch of humor, which was outstanding.
 
"She hit the ball out of the park," she said.
 
But more than anything, Baker says the convention was an opportunity to "encourage people to get involved." She said we have an "incredible right to get involved in this country," and the convention was one way to remind people of that.


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Erin Orozco can be reached at eorozco@yumasun.com or 539-6849.