Houston Diary

In Case You Get Bored

All delegates and members of the press received a welcoming bag, complete with a Texas coloring book and Crayola markers. The bags also contained a bag of instant rice, samples of cologne and a number of guides to the city of Houston.

The Real Comeback Kid

Most of the college students here with the Youth Coalition might have their hearts set on a second Bush Administration, but a number of them are sporting "Reagan '96" signs in hope of a return to The White House by the former president. "We like George Bush, but Reagan did great things for this country," said John Hotaling, a sophomore at George Mason University in Virginia.

Hot and Humid, You Say?

The herds of visitors are lucky to be enjoying "unseasonably comfortable" weather--or at least that's what the radio stations are saying. Highs the past couple of days have been in the low 90s with low humidity. But that's not to say the city wasn't prepared for a sticky week. Coined "the air-conditioning Capital of the World." Houstonians use about $1 billion worth of electricity each year.

Riding the Character Issue

T-Shirt available in the Astro-Arena adjacent to the dome:

Front:Late night with "Slick Willie."

Back: Bill Clinton's Top 10 Pickup Lines

10. If you liked Billy Carter, you'll love my brother.

9. You sure do smell like a Rose, Mrs. Flowers.

8. That is a crumpled-up draft notice in my pocket and I am glad to see you.

7. Let's go back to your place. Hillary's at home baking cookies.

6. At what law firm did you say you worked?

5. (Insert a line learned from either Ted Kennedy or Gary Hart).

4. Care to see my version of the "pocket" veto?

3. So many gerbils...so little time...

2. You can blow on my saxophone.

1. Come on over and meet the real "Slick Willie."

Go Figure Travelers to convention  50,000 Volunteers  12,000--15,000 Media  15,000 Delegates  2210 Alternates  2210 Construction workers  est. 1000 Hours preparation  est. 500,000 Days of preparation  20 Telephone lines  8000 Balloons  225,000 (101.8 per delegate) Carpet  100,000 square feet Sound System Speakers  576 Amplifiers  400 Microphones  221