Iowa's delegation this morning heard from a string of surrogates for John McCain, kicking off with his mother Roberta and ending with former UN Ambassador John Bolton.

Arizona's Jon Kyl, the other half of Arizona's U.S. Senate delegation, touted McCain's foreign policy credentials and his reaction to Russia's military move against Georgia.

He also said Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin had brought a new energy to the Republican ticket and said McCain had gotten a boost from someone he called a "soulmate."

"I could see the glint in his eye," Kyl said of McCain after the Palin pick was announced. "He was re-energized."

Col. Bud Day, who was a prisoner of war with McCain, said one task for Republicans was to educate the "kids" who are supporting Obama.

"That's who we need to get," he said. "These kids don't know what's going on in the world."

He said talking to younger people and telling them about McCain's experience and principles would be important to the success of the GOP ticket.

He also likened the candidate to fictional boxer Rocky Balboa.

"Eighteen months ago John McCain was flat on his back ... written off as if he was a non-candidate," Day said. But just like Rocky, "he got up and fought again and won."

Michael Steele, the former lieutenant governor of Maryland, sounded a similar message, talking about McCain's perseverance through the toughest times of his campaign for president. He said he saw McCain at a D.C. airport about a year ago, flying alone on standby. McCain's lot has improved since then, he said, and he's now the presidential nominee.

"I know in times of difficulty ... he will persevere," Steele said. "That's the mark of leadership."

Steele also said "the American press should be ashamed of itself" for the way Palin's been covered since she was named as the VP nominee. And Steele had a message for people he said were trying to tear her down.

"I know Sarah Palin. Sarah Palin's a friend of mine," he said. "You don't want to mess with Sarah Palin."

The morning speeches were capped off by former UN Ambassador Bolton.

Echoning some of what Steele said, Bolton said "there's an attack machine out there that's going after Sarah Palin." He predicted her speech tonight would show that the attacks are misplaced.

He also said he had spoken to her in Alaska last year and found her to be a "very bright woman" and well-informed on the Second Amendment and the foreign policy issue of missile defense.

Radio Iowa has audio of Bolton's breakfast remarks (scroll to the bottom of the page).

Labels: RNC2008