Some Time to Unwind

Delegates cheer during day 3 of the Republican National Convention at the Xcel Energy Center on Sept. 3, 2008, in St. Paul, Minn. Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Ohio delegate Jo Ann Davidson finally found time to attend a party and stay long enough to enjoy it. Good thing, too: It was in her honor.

Davidson, 80, was feted by her state delegation and the Republican National Committee Tuesday night in celebration of all her hard work: years helping Ohio Republicans, and this year chairing the convention’s committee on arrangements. Attendees wore buttons that read “Jo Ann 2008” and “I [heart] Jo Ann.”

The fest began after her speech to the convention, which had essentially returned to plan in the aftermath of Hurricane Gustav. Davidson could finally relax a bit.

“No one has done more for our party than Jo Ann Davidson,” gushes U.S. Sen. George V. Voinovich of Ohio, struggling to be heard over the late-night party din. He allowed that President George W. Bush never would have been re-elected in 2004 without Davidson’s hard work in their state, which Bush won by only 119,000 votes—about two percentage points—over Democrat John Kerry.

Davidson described the people in the room as her family. “Ohio is a wonderful example of what we can do when we work together,” she says. “They are already saying it’s all about Ohio, so get ready.”

As a three-piece combo played a barely recognizable version of Ohio State University’s fight song, “Across the Field,” Davidson clapped in time with the music. She stayed past midnight, shaking hands and hugging many in the room.

But Davidson’s respite was brief. By early Wednesday she was all business, speaking on Ohio radio stations in response to an appearance in her home state by Democratic candidate Barack Obama. In New Philadelphia, Obama said the Republicans are all wrong on the economy. He excoriated those at the convention for failing to mention the faltering economy and “the hardships that [we] are going through.”

Obama’s prescriptions are wrong for Ohio, Davidson said before going on air. “He talks about higher taxes, not just on individuals but on corporations,” she says. “You really can’t help Ohio’s economy without doing just the opposite.”

When referring to higher taxes for individuals, Davidson presumably had in mind the increases Obama has proposed for higher-income individuals, not his proposed cuts for the poor and middle class. Also, Obama’s tax plan would leave corporate taxes at 35 percent. McCain says he would reduce corporate taxes.

After business Wednesday Davidson returned to partying, joining her fellow Ohioans again at a reception in Minneapolis’ Mill City Museum. Housed within a modern glass façade rising from the ruins of a 19th-century masonry mill, the museum traces the history of the flour mill industry in Minneapolis. Industry money largely built the city and has now all but died there. The museum served as a wonderful party setting, juxtaposing views of antique milling equipment inside with the Mississippi River and clear skies out.

Elaine S. Povich is a freelance writer who covers politics.