And unlike Democratic Representative Jim Slezak, none of these candidates were interested in outsourcing their tourism dollars.  They used downtown venues, from the Radisson to the Nuthouse to host their events... Pure Michigan.

By 6:30 delegates, alternates and guests made their way into one massive room at the host hotel and heard from WJR's Frank Beckmann.  The voice of Michigan football talked about media bias and had the audience eating out of his hand.  Talk about a communicator.  

He kicked off his comments with assurances to the other candidates in the room that he wasn't going to be announcing any sort of statewide campaign bid.  Frankly, it might be interesting if the man would reconsider.  

After Beckmann, Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour took the podium and talked about rebuilding the Party.  And the standing-room-only crowd loved it.

I mentioned it on Twitter during the afternoon (and if you're not on Twitter yet, you should be) but hyperbole aside, I don't remember the last off-year convention with the sort of energy we're seeing here.  Regular people, moms and dads... they're fed up and they're not going to take it anymore.  Look out in 2010 and look out in the 19th this summer!

After the opening session folks split up for their District Caucuses.  Back at it to select the next Chairman and Vice Chairs tomorrow AM.