Minneapolis/St. Paul GOP chronicle

Former Gov. Thomas Kean and Scott Morrison of Camden County at the Hilton: Politicker photo

MINNEAPOLIS - From Hurricaine Gustav, to the Labor Day late night cruise with the Crowleys, to Bush cringe, to the Sarah Palin story, to the Blue Grille Bar in the Hilton, to Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz) and back to the Blue Grille, and back to the East, New Jersey Republicans led by State Chairman Tom Wilson forged a convention of small but diehard members. 

Minority Leader Alex DeCroce (R-Parsippany-Troy Hills) arrives, is greeted by Assemblyman Sam Thompson (R-Old Bridge): Politicker photo

They arrived amid the unknowm as a hurricane down south threatened to turn the lights out on the entire event.

Rick Mroz, McCain's New Jersey campaign coordinator.: Politicker photo

Presidential nominee Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) was never as big in New Jersey as former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, but he had supporters with whom he went back a long way, including former Gov. Thomas Kean; state GOP Chair Tom Wilson; state Sen. Bill Baroni (R-Mercer), McCain's state chairman; state Sen. Sean Kean (R-Monmouth); state Sen. Kevin O'Toole (R-Essex), and state campaign coordinator Rick Mroz.   

Sen. Joe Kyrillos (R-Monmouth), former Romney campaign chief in Jersey, at the Xcel Center with McCain fundraiser Fred Zeidman.: Politicker photo 

The falling in line of former Giuliani and Romney supporters proved no bitter struggle. They fell in line.

Assemblywoman Alison McHose (R-Franklin) in the Xcel Center.: Politicker photo

After a faltering start with thematic efforts shaped around Hurricane Gustav relief and country-first pride, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin gave the delegation a boost on Wednesday night.

Liquor flowed at the Blue Grille after her speech.

Burlington County Freeholder Director Aubrey Fenton: Politicker photo

Burlington County Freeholder Director Aubrey Fenton gave the invocation before every breakfast at the Hilton Hotel.

John Crowley and his wife, Aieleen, aboard the Jonathan Padelford.: Politicker photo

It was difficult not to read into the presence of young wheels-on their-heels lawmakers and playmakers - the Baronis, Kean juniors, Keans, O'Tooles, Spadeas, Murphys and Crowleys. Every smiling encounter contained undertones of intense, coming collisions in future GOP primaries - governor? senator? congressman? - as Jersey politicos fueled their ambitions in this atmosphere of political animals from everywhere. capped by McCain's appeal to country.

Biotech businessman John Crowley is the latest 45-and-under member of the more high octane Jersey GOP, treating fellow Republicans to a cruise on the Mississippi River on the first day.