Tonight was amazing!

Mike Huckabee – in person – is as genuine and selfless as I imagined. His words were eloquent, his demeanor – charming (but not in a two-faced cheesy way).

We arrived at the Hotel in Pewaukee right on time, hustled through the entrance to the indoor waterpark and rushed down numerous hallways to the banquet hall lobby to wait with a few hundred other Huck-fans.

When the doors opened moments later we were ushered into the Grand Ball Room and quickly made our way to the front. I stood at the front barricade and Jess and Ella in the stroller were just a few steps behind me to the left against a wall.

Huckabee was introduced by Senate-hopeful, Tim Michaels and was quickly brought out on stage to give a 40-minute speech.

The air was electric. This man is NOT standing down – and he’s hoping for an opportunity to debate on the Republican Convention floor about where he stands as a True Conservative.

It was an honor to witness him in person and listen to the sincerity in his voice. After the speech we waited in the pressing crowd for an opportunity to shake his hand and/or get an autograph. What we received was even better.

After I asked, “Governor – would you take a picture with the most beautiful baby girl in the world?” I was pleasantly surprised with a pursuit on his part to get closer to me and Ella who was in my arms. I quickly handed her over and told him that I had to forge a similar picture a few weeks ago and that I appreciated the opportunity! A couple quick snapshots later his wife Janet took Ella out of his arms and passed her back over to me with kind remarks. I shook Governor Huckabee’s hand and he signed my poster and I told him that I was a minister here in Wisconsin, that I appreciated him and that I was praying for him. He looked at me and thanked me.

Great experience. Great pictures. In all, I took over 150 digital photos from the evening. Just under 100 “made the cut” and a few less are online for your viewing pleasure!

Here are a few:

The rest of the photos are here!