Republicans don't stop believing

The GOP takes a musical interlude as the convention begins.

Published September 2, 2008 11:59PM (EDT)

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- The Republican convention finally kicked off with gusto Tuesday night, but only after a weird musical interlude.

For about 10 minutes, after the invocation and the national anthem, the whole convention stood and -- sort of, in a GOP way -- danced, while a dramatic instrumental piece played -- followed by Journey's "Don't Stop Believing."

Delegates looked almost as confused as the reporters watching them, but they picked up some signs marked "Service" and "Country First" and waved them over their heads, more or less to the rhythm of the song.

The musical break did, however, provide a chance for the Texas delegation to try to get the wave going around the Xcel Center, without much success, and for a few sections in the stands to cheer lustily for Bill O'Reilly in the Fox News booth.


By Mike Madden

Mike Madden is Salon's Washington correspondent. A complete listing of his articles is here. Follow him on Twitter here.

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