Low-key mornings for Kentucky delegation

MINNEAPOLIS – While many states' delegations are playing host to high-profile national speakers during their morning breakfasts at the Republican National Convention, Kentuckians are having relatively relaxed mornings at their downtown Minneapolis hotel.

Today, a handful of delegates filtered in and out of the delegation breakfast, with some stopping to chat with a dining U.S. Sen. Jim Bunning (R-Southgate) and no speakers were scheduled.

At yesterday’s breakfast, an ad hoc line-up of speakers briefly addressed the crowd. Republican National Committee chair Mike Duncan, a Kentucky native staying at the same hotel as his home state’s delegation, dropped in on the Tuesday event and received a round of applause from those in attendance, which included Bunning, Secretary of State Trey Grayson (R-Richwood), state Senate President David Williams (R-Burkesville) and 2nd Congressional District candidate and state Sen. Brett Guthrie (R-Bowling Green).

Duncan was reportedly scheduled to speak at Tuesday’s breakfast, which was to be the most formal of the three in Minneapolis, but he instead mingled with the crowd after he arrived.

Friday’s breakfast will also be a simple affair, with no scheduled speakers.

Other states featured big-name guests at their breakfasts. Yesterday, Utah hosted a speech by Kentucky’s U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Louisville) while Maine Republicans heard from former Bush advisor Karl Rove on the convention’s opening day.

Kentucky’s delegation to the Democratic National Convention had a line-up of speakers each morning of their event that included some surprise guests, such as Democratic National Committee chair Howard Dean and United Mine Workers President Cecil Roberts.

Although their breakfasts may be relaxing affairs, the days pick up shortly afterwards for the Kentucky Republicans. This afternoon, delegates will participate in a relief effort for victims of Hurricane Gustav before going on to a reception at the Hard Rock Café where Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Louisville) is expected to appear. The delegation is then expected to head to St. Paul’s Xcel Center for convention events.