The Republican National Convention takes place this week in Tampa, Fla. Patrick Mara is a delegate to the convention representing the District of Columbia, and an elected member of the D.C. State Board of Education. On Wednesday, Mara caught up with former D.C. Public Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee, and really kicked it at the CNN Grill.

I started my Wednesday at the “Conservatives for the Freedom to Marry” brunch, a very well attended event of folks like me who support marriage equality. If the GOP is going to continue to grow, the party and its leaders need to adopt a more inclusive policy with regard to marriage and the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender communities. As evidenced by the number of reporters at this event, there is a lot of interest in the issue.

After brunch, I downed my 10th Cuban sandwich in Ybor City. Conventions typically include seven meals a day. Former D.C. Public Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee was speaking at the Improv as part of a next generation of voters event. Rhee is beloved by Republicans. I had the opportunity to say “Hello” afterward. Some folks were surprised that Rhee remembered me. Are they crazy? How hard can it be to remember the name of the only Republican office holder in D.C.?

After chatting with Rhee, I headed back to the convention site for the official D.C. delegation photo. Several of us then checked out the CNN Grill. It’s basically a restaurant/brewery-type place sponsored by CNN, but everything is free. So when you’re watching Mitt Romney accept the nomination tonight, watch it on CNN. (I drank their free beer, I feel I owe it to them to plug the station.)

Stephen Baldwin was at the Grill, too. You know Stephen as the Baldwin who isn’t on 30 Rock.

Notwithstanding his B-list status, I felt like I had to take one for the DCist team. So, I asked Baldwin if we could snap a photo.

Mara, left, with Stephen Baldwin. (Photo by Rachel Huff)

Based on the reaction of onlookers inside CNN Grill, my street cred took a hit. I’ve asked the editors to photoshop Alec’s face over Stephen’s.

Or, better yet, Tina Fey.

Editor’s note:

Photo of Fey by Helga Esteb / Shutterstock.com

No, wait. Then people might think I was posing with Sarah Palin.

OK, let’s just stick with Stephen Baldwin. He was in The Usual Suspects, which is a damn good film.

I should add here that the portable bathrooms at CNN Grill are the finest I have ever seen. Hardwood floors, mints, plants—it’s incredible.

During the prime time speeches I sat in front of Newt and Callista Gingrich. Apparently, D.C. is in a good location because we keep getting up on the big screens.

I closed the evening at a Kid Rock concert where he performed a song written for the 2012 election. “They say Obama is lyin,’ that’s why I’m voting for Romney and Ryan.”

Patrick Mara is a delegate to the 2012 Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla. and an elected member of the D.C. State Board of Education.