The Highlights from El Rushbo's Miss America Press Conference (WITH VIDEOS ALERT)

RUSH: We had a press conference, all of us judges had a press conference yesterday afternoon at one o'clock here, four o'clock Eastern time, with the entertainment media: four people from State-Controlled Associated Press, Las Vegas media, People magazine, all those kind of people. Robin Leach was there in the front row. And toward the end of the press conference one of the female reporters asked me, I'm paraphrasing her question: "Do you penalize any contestants -- I mean you're a big conservative -- do you penalize any contestants if they have answers which are more liberal on issues than what you believe?" And I said no. No, no, no, no. We don't do that. What we're looking for is people who actually believe what they say and can demonstrate it and can tell us why. We want to make sure that they're not just saying it because they expect people to think that they should have that attitude or whatever. We're trying to find women who are poised and actually hold whatever beliefs they hold, but we're not the opinion police here. We're judging other things, not what they think, judging how informed they are on whatever issue we ask them about, and issues that they say they're interested in.

I said, "Besides, I'm not looking for Miss Conservative. I've already found her." And the place erupted in laughter. Now, there's a YouTube clip of another section of the press conference. Robin Leach, the first night of preliminaries, introduced all the judges individually and we stand up and receive applause and accolades, and mine was particularly huge from the audience. We're right in front of the stage and as I turned around and faced the audience I see a couple women in the back just waving their arms at me like crazy. So I did my traditional grab my fist and pumped my heart, and Robin Leach said, "What was that? Were you having a heart attack? What was that?" I said, "No, no, no, I saw these women shaking their hands at me and waving their arms, that just means I'm the best," and that brought the house down. There's a YouTube clip of that that Cookie found. I don't know where this is press conference is aired in total, I forgot to ask that. But there were a lot of people there, and I suspect at some point parts of it will air.

http://www.independentpub.com/story.asp?pubId=wi&artId=1264723722
XCLUSIVE BLOG - On the Road to Miss America Thursday's Entry: A supportive and proud family
1/28/2010 By Deb Landry

Welcome back to day three of the Miss America journey. Last night's preliminary was an evening filled with great talent, beautiful and articulate women. Susie's group participated in on stage questions, 5% of the score. What the judges are looking for here is how fast the contestants think on their feet.

Susie was asked about her platform which is community service. She answered with some information about her India mission trips and how you don't have to go to a third world country to volunteer, there is so much that needs to be done in your own backyard.

The evening's winners were New York for Fitness and California for a ballet en point talent performance. Keep in mind, thesewinners may be in the top 15 but are not necessarily the new Miss America, now if one person won everything or more than one category, I'd say they would be in the top 5. The past two Miss America's didn't win talent awards. But let's take a look at the winners so far, we have: NY, California, Virginia and Puerto Rico, let's see who we add to it Thursday night.

I spoke with Susie after the pageant and she felt confident in her answer and was upbeat. She has lots of energy and is just taking in all of the excitement. She met Clinton Kelly and was a little star struck, said her sister Jill.

We attended a party after the show at the Wyndham Grand Resort Penthouse for the Maine people. There were several people there with a group from LA and Conn. I met a guy who was in a commercial for Nikon with Ashton Kutcher. I got to speak with all the Staubles for the first time since arriving in Vegas.

Mom Barb is so excited for Susie, ''If they spend any time getting to know Susie, they would know she is the one for the job, she is so sincere and passionate.'' It is easy to see where the Stauble girls get their energy, poise and beauty, a classic lady.

Jill is, in one word, overwhelmed with Las Vegas. So much to do, even if you don't gamble. They spent the day hotel hopping, checking out all the sites. If you are not familiar with Vegas, several years ago they decided to try and make it family-friendly. Every hotel has an attraction. Almost like Disney and most is free. You can stay and eat cheap here if you look for the deals, saving more money for gambling.

Ali and Charlie (Susie's fiance) are so proud of Susie but miss being away for her. When Susie saw them on Tuesday night, she ran over and gave Ali a big hug. Charlie is prepared to possibly being without his fiance for a year if Susie wins. But if she doesn't, I think there will be a wedding in the near future.

Okay, enough about the pageant, let me tell you about my day. It started off with a press conference with the judges. I got there early and was in the front row. We got lots of great pictures. I had a list of questions, then the officials came in and told us we couldn't ask any personal or political questions. They had to be all about the pageant. Rush Limbaugh was a big hit. One reporter asked if he was going to be a fan of Miss America even after Sunday and he said he had a new appreciation for the organization, now that he knows more about it.

What impressed me most was 18-year-old Shawn Johnson. Wow, what a peanut. She is so articulate for a young woman; focused, intelligent and precious. A true role model for any teenager.

The judges are chosen for their expertise in their fields, for example: Rush for communications, Shawn for fitness, Dave Koz for talent and so on. I asked Koz and Brooke if they could tell in just 90 seconds if a contestant had talent and why. He said he could tell in 30 seconds if someone had talent, and there were a few great talents on Tuesday night. I know one was Susie.

Did I mention that I was sitting next to Robin Leach, of the former ''Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous''? Some of the reporters are as famous as the judges. Robin now resides in Las Vegas and covers all the events here. He has been a Miss America fan and reporter for many years. His voice is unique, and you know when he is in the room. And although we were instructed not to ask personal questions, he asked Rush about his health. After his answer, Robin said, ''Okay you avoided the question, now tell me how your health?'' Rush reported he got a great bill of health in Hawaii!

Before the pageant last night, Jeff Christenbury (friend, Miss Maine Board member and producer/TV host at the CW in Portland) and I went to see Donny and Marie Osmond. Okay, I convinced him he would love it and he did. GREAT show, gotta love Donny. He had his Dancing with the Stars trophy on stage and ribbed his sister that he won and she didn't. They reminisced with songs, video clips and dance moves. Just a reminder that us 50+ year old people still have it. I'd recommend this show to everyone. Hey...come to think of it... we met two Dancing with the Stars champs today, Donny and Shawn.

Deb Landry will be following Miss Maine Susie Stauble from Las Vegas all week and will be checking in with daily blogs.

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