Live from the RNC: Mike Duncan and Katon Dawson

Matt Strawn, the newly-elected chairman of the Iowa Republicans, gives the most scripted of the nominating speeches thus far, in support of current Republican National Committee Chairman Mike Duncan. “I’ve been all around Iowa, and let me tell ya, Iowa Republicans are fired up ready to fight.”

From a second nominating speech: “He knows this committee better than anyone I’ve ever worked with. Mike Duncan’s only agenda is serving his committee, serving his candidates.”

Katon Dawson, the South Carolina Republican chairman who’s been battered by stories about his membership in a whites-only country club, is next. Glen McCall, a black committee member from the state, gets up for a character witness speech. “Katon’s been a mentor to me,” McCall says. “We’re not like the Democrats. We’re about experience and accomplishments.”