It is a pleasure to be here with you this evening. Tonight is an exciting night as we come together as Republicans, united, prepared to nominate Senator John McCain as the next President of these United States of America.

Having spent time with Sen. McCain a few months ago, I can tell you he is a great man who represents a better future for all Americans. He is a stark contrast, and positive alternative to the Democratic candidates that are bent on raising taxes and embracing our enemies.

I’m sure the delegates to the state party convention will agree with me that it became exceedingly clear last week that Barack Obama is not only wrong for Missouri but also for the majority of Americans. The cold hard facts support my assertion during Obama’s visit to my hometown of Cape Girardeau that he will be “the hardest-left candidate ever nominated for President of the United States by either of our major parties.”

Dear Friends:

I hope you can all join me this weekend in Branson as loyal Republicans from across the state come together for our State Convention.

I will be hosting a special "United In 2008" reception Friday night after dinner in the Florence/Naples Rooms at the Chateau on the Lake, the headquarters hotel for the Convention.  We'll been featuring a smoking hot Jazz Band trio and there will be plenty of delicious food and beverages for all our guests.

*I joined my fellow Missourians in Kansas City and Springfield today to honor our veterans and military men and women. Below are my remarks from today.

On this May day, we pay tribute to those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms.

Today marks the 140th observance of Memorial Day in these United States of America. This national day of remembrance was first held in 1868 when veterans of the Civil War designated one day in May to honor "the memory of the heroic dead."

In my travels throughout our great state, I have met so many talented and gifted people who give so much joy and happiness to their fellow Missourians, and tonight was no different.

A young man named David Cook from Blue Springs, Missouri showed the world the kind of talent we have in our great state by winning the title of American Idol after a world record 97.5 million votes were cast.

And with fall of the gavel, another legislative session ended in Jefferson City. I'm pleased that many of the initiatives I supported to help ensure a positive change for Missouri are on the way to the Governor's office for his signature.

Together we worked to pass legislation that will benefit seniors, veterans, childhood education, public safety, tourism and our Second Amendment rights. Indeed, we have more work to do and I'll never rest on my laurels but we put several points on the board for Missourians.

Four years ago, more than 70 percent of Missourians voted to preserve traditional marriage and I am proud to say that I was one of the measure's most vocal supporters. Unfortunately, the attack on America's families continues outside the Show Me State. The latest travesty came yesterday when the California Supreme Court quashed a ban on gay marriage that "effectively leaves same-sex couples in America's most populous state free to tie the knot."

Peter along with many Missourians made it clear this week that Barack Obama's disparaging statements about those Americans living and working outside of liberal enclaves like San Francisco will not be tolerated.  And it appears our fine neighbors in Kansas feel the same way. Hays Daily News columnist Will Manly does a fine job calling Obama out for attacking those of us who support our religion and Second Amendment rights:

A day after Barack Obama's best Trojan Horse imitation made an appearance in Cape Girardeau, the candidate's true colors were again exposed after a leading national group of pro-abortionists endorsed the liberal Democrat.

In a move that would not have gone over well if it had happened yesterday in Missouri, NARAL Pro-Choice America today announced its support for Obama.

Kinder on Obama: Not the man for my hometown, Political Fix.

The Times quoted Kinder as calling Obama “the hardest left candidate ever nominated for president of the United States.”

In a blog item at TeamKinder.com, the lieutenant governor added to his critique of the Democratic front-runner, saying that Obama could not capture Missouri in the general election.