They're running a tight ship, a mix of tight security and flowing efficiency. The convocation included a prayer, pledge and the national anthem. The anthem was beautiful, but I can't say I've ever thanked God for Tony Perkins before.

The master of ceremonies' second order of business after telling us to turn off our phones was to telling a rather lengthy joke about Sean Penn. Really cutting to the chase with the derision.

Perkins' opening remarks... Nothing surprising about the rights of the unborn, "the threat to traditional marriage," and the importance of family.

His words about foreign policy were a curious blend of newfound humility and enduring militaristic American exceptionalism. I could sense that he was speaking to an audience that's weary of Iraq as he called in a gentle voice for "responsible foreign policy," but as he harkened to "peace through strength" I gathered that his views of militarism haven't changed.

He had a good joke, which I might have time to relay later.