MidnightBlue

Just prior to John McCain's acceptance speech, myself along with several bloggers had an informal Q&A with U.S. Congressman Michael Burgess (R-TX). The topic of discussion was the McCain platform on health care.

According to the information provided by McCain's website one of the innovative features will be a reformation of the tax code in order to offer citizens a wider choice in health care outside of job related health insurance:

John McCain Will Reform The Tax Code To Offer More Choices Beyond Employer-Based Health Insurance Coverage. While still having the option of employer-based coverage, every family will receive a direct refundable tax credit - effectively cash - of $2,500 for individuals and $5,000 for families to offset the cost of insurance. Families will be able to choose the insurance provider that suits them best and the money would be sent directly to the insurance provider. Those obtaining innovative insurance that costs less than the credit can deposit the remainder in expanded Health Savings Accounts.

Congressman Burgess Bio:

U.S. Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D., a resident of Lewisville, worked as a doctor in Denton County for over 21 years. A respected physician of Obstetrics and Gynecology in Lewisville, Dr. Burgess delivered more than 3000 babies in North Texas before heading to Congress in 2003.

Since his election in 2002, Congressman Michael Burgess has made amazing strides in pushing legislative priorities including modernizing America’s health care system, building a strong defense, protecting our Homeland, cutting wasteful government spending, reforming the tax code, and making America energy self-sufficient.

First elected in 2002, Congressman Burgess served on the House Transportation and Infrastructure, Government Reform and Science Committees during his first term. Re-elected in 2004 and 2006, Congressman Michael Burgess serves as a member of the prestigious House Energy and Commerce Committee which is one of only three exclusive committees in the House of Representatives. Congressman Burgess sits on four subcommittees: Health, Energy, Oversight and Investigations, and Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection.

The Congressman was kind enough to entertain our questions in a relatively quiet area of the Media Filing Center. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank Congressman Burgess for finding time in his busy schedule to discuss the McCain healthcare platform.

Since I am departing St.Paul for Philadelphia - I offer a few classic "O" Gaffes:
H/T: Marathon Pundit

“I think we should spend some of that money right here in New Pennsylvania.” – Barack Obama, in New Philadelphia, Ohio, September 3, 2008

I had the opportunity this morning to get an early look at the stage being set up for McCain's acceptance speech as the RNC Presidential Nominee. Below are more details regarding the design of the stage and how it reflects the personality of the future President of the United States:

SAINT PAUL, Minn. - Today, the 2008 Republican National Convention unveiled the podium from which John McCain will accept the Republican Party’s nomination to be the next president of the United States.

The podium used for the first three nights of the convention was modified to enable John McCain to deliver his acceptance speech from the center of the Xcel Energy Center. The new podium is a reflection of the town-hall style that has been a hallmark of McCain’s campaign. In the new forum, he will be surrounded by the delegates that nominated him the night before.

The new podium was constructed by removing the front corner sections of the existing platform and extending its midsection by 30 feet. The extension will be eight feet wide. Near the conclusion of tonight’s program, Sen. McCain will address the convention from a lectern positioned near the end of this newly-constructed extension. To accommodate the modified platform, delegates from the state of Ohio will be re-seated on either side.

Via Liz Mair:

(SAINT PAUL, Minn.) – On Monday, September 1, senior Republican officials will hold a conference call to update members of the media on the 2008 Republican National Convention. Call opens at 9:30 a.m. CT; Call begins at 10:00 a.m.

UPDATE: This just in from Rick Davis and Jo Davidson:

• There will be a Gulf States Working Group at the Convention
• An affected states information center will be set up at the Xcel Energy Center
• Louisiana delegates and guests were transported back home.
• Comfort packages will be packed and shipped to affected areas from the Minneapolis Convention Center. Target and Fed Ex are leading this endeavor. The convention organizers are looking for volunteers are need to help put together the care packages, delegates included.
• Fund raising efforts to specified charities.
• There will be a card(?) printed with Country First and a phone number to get you in touch with ways you can help in this effort. On the back of the card will be listed charities and contact information.
• A charity phone bank is being set up at the Hilton Hotel in Minneapolis.
  
• Church services will be conducted.
• Cindy McCain will be speaking to delegates to encourage them to help out the victims of this downgraded Category 2 hurricane.
• Sarah Palin will speak at the convention.