On McCain's day, Frelinghuysen faces the troops

MINNEAPOLIS - The breakfast gathering welcomes U.S. Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-Harding) to the podium as a friend of military veterans and longtime supporter of Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.).

Frelinghuysen stands between the flags of the Untied States and New Jersey and exhorts the small crowd to support congressional candidates Medford Mayor Chris Myers in the 3rd District and state Sen. Leonard Lance (R-Hunterdon) in the 7th.

"We need to keep Republicans in the House from New Jersey," he says. "These are tough races. Democrats in those races have raised a considerable amount of money. ...We need to work toward a Republican majority in both the House and Senate."

Applause.

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin’s speech last night is still bringing smiles to the faces of those in this room, and the congressman seizes on the mood.

"How about that speech?" Frelinghuysen asks. "I was channel surfing after the speech last night, and, maybe with the exception of Donna Brazile, Sarah Palin did a great job for us.

"If you look at New Jersey - the number of small towns we have - people can identify with Sarah Palin. She’s strong-willed," he adds. "Quite frankly, I thank Sarah Palin will eat Joe Biden for lunch."

The feeling was all for McCain, who’s speaking tonight to anchor leg the convention.

A Vietnam veteran, Frelinghuysen describes taking a trip back to that country with McCain and traveling to the West Lake.

"It’s equivalent to having a plane falling into a lake in Central Park," says the congressman, recounting McCain getting shot down and having his arms broken.

"The primary reason for going to Vietnam was to go to the Hanoi Hilton. ...What I drew from that experience is here is a man who truly embodies the American spirit," Frelinghuysen says. "Here is a man who never broke. ...I am so proud as a member of Congress to be on the ticket with him."