Change is the theme of Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama. But the Republicans in Minnesota have adapted and adopted it as their own. For all that their party has held the White House for eight years, Republicans talk about John McCain as a needed reformer. Ask what they like about his running mate, Sarah Palin, and it’s a toss up what you’ll hear first: reformer or pro-lifer. And a couple delegates sheepishly acknowledged they were happier to see Laura Bush in person on the stage at the Xcel center than George Bush.

Still, for all the talk of a need for change, one member of the old guard is held in high regard. Karl Rove got a standing ovation from many on the convention floor tonight, and a warm welcome from the Ohio delegation at its breakfast this morning. That’s where he gave a speech praising Sarah Palin as… a reformer

rove-on-palin-as-reformer-for-web