That chatty assemblyman I met at the convention? He’s governor now

I count myself lucky I covered the Republicans in 1996 in San Diego and 2000 in Philadelphia, as well as the Democrats in Chicago and Los Angeles those respective years.

What do I remember best from San Diego? A bus ride and one speech.

The speech was Elizabeth Dole’s walk-around emulating Oprah Winfrey, which was never done before, or since. She was so relaxed and chatty and seemed completely at ease.

Just like Ann Romney on Tuesday, Dole was meant to humanize her stiff husband, former Kansas Sen. Bob Dole, who along with Jack Kemp, constituted the GOP ticket. Both women faced a heavy burden.

Now, about that bus ride:

Nevada Republicans had no clout that year, so the delegation’s hotel was about an hour ride from the convention center.

One bus ride, I ended up sitting next to a Reno assemblyman, and we chatted nonstop. It was his first convention as well as mine and we both learned they were exhausting. I came away thinking that Brian Sandoval was such a nice guy, an impression that has never changed.

Assemblyman Sandoval was struck at the time by two speeches. "It was inspiring to see President Ford and President Bush. It was like a one-two punch. It makes me feel good about being here and proud to be a Republican. It’s like people walking out of the history books and speaking to you."

Advance to 2012 in Tampa, Fla., and that nice guy is governor of Nevada, who was expected to be showcased by the GOP at 6 p.m., Tuesday as part of the "I’m a minority, and I have a personal story of success and yet I’m still a Republican" message.

Sandoval was supposed to be prime time.

Except when he was up to speak, most stations switched to coverage of Hurricane Isaac.

Was Nevada being snubbed because the delegation was packed with rabid Ron Paul supporters? The ones who ignored the rules and voted their "conscience"? The ones who embarrassed most state Republicans?

No, it really was the weather, and the poor luck of being sandwiched in between two bigger names – Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker and former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum.

The Republican convention delegates in 1996 had to work hard to get excited about the Dole-Kemp ticket, before and after that convention. Democrats Bill Clinton and Al Gore took Nevada and the nation in a repeat of 1992, although by a smaller margin.

The Republicans in 2000 were a lot more upbeat with Texas Gov. George W. Bush and Dick Cheney as their standard bearers.

My most vivid memories? The seating, a slap and learning what access $100,000 will buy.

In Philadelphia, the Nevada delegation was right in front of the box where former President George H.W. Bush and his wife, Barbara, sat, and they were happy campers watching their son’s convention. With Al Gore and Joe Lieberman on the Democratic side, Nevada and the nation went with the Bush-Cheney ticket.

Nevada National Committeewoman Beverly Willard of Carson City slapped a reporter (not me, thankfully) after he asked her to eat her lunch outside of the area set aside for reporters to work.

Sheldon Adelson’s $100,000 contribution to the GOP was large enough to get two of his top executives seated with the first President Bush and his wife, Barbara, at a private dinner for about 20.

The casino owner himself was in Israel and didn’t attend, but 12 years ago, $100,000 was enough to nab seats for two of his top people.

Can’t imagine what Adelson’s $36 million in GOP donations so far get him in today’s market.

Jane Ann Morrison’s column appears Monday, Thursday and Saturday. Email her at Jane@reviewjournal.com or call her at 702-383-0275. She also blogs at lvrj.com/blogs/Morrison.