ST. PAUL, Minn. - A guest of the Maryland delegation wishes former Gov. Bob Ehrlich (R-Baltimore) would have attended the Republican National Convention.

"I think he's just missing a lot of excitement," said Jeff Parker, who's wife -- Patt Parker --  is an at-large delegate and president of the Maryland Federation of Republican Women .

"He's been one of us. So, on a personal level I miss having him here," he said

Parker had a few thoughts on what it will take for John McCain to deliver an effective speech.

"He needs to continue to tell his story," said Parker. "He hasn't let small defeats get in the way of accomplishing reform and the things that need to be done."

Parker said that McCain wants government to work and that no American can disagree with that. "He's got to run the whole executive branch of government," Parker added.