I wanted to ask the delegates to respond to last night's speeches. It seems to me that the same people who were cheering Colin Powell were the ones booing William Weld 4 years ago. Is the message more tolerated now or is it the messenger?

Jim Fleming - Connecticut
First of all, I and many others were not at the convention four years ago. I am a big supporter of Bill Weld and hope he will be the next senator from my neighboring state to the north. I guess my point is that opinions change over time. Weld and Powell are very popular in our party and will have a great future in the Republican party.

Natalie Meyer - CO
We have had our discussions, we have our differences, but we are focused on the basic principles of the Republican Party: individual responsibility and the freedom to manage our own lives. These are the issues that unite us.

Michael Steele - Maryland
Both! And the fact that the Republican party has continued to grow. The speeches last night reflected the diversity that has taken hold in the party. Republicans a beginning to recognize that the Big Tent does hold everyone comfortably. No doubt, there are pains associated with such growth in ideology but there is also strength which comes from it. Last night I was the proudest I've ever been as a Republican. The best is yet to come.

Dwight Adams - SD
I'm not familiar with what took place with William Weld last year.

A question from Mike Hadley of Charlottesvile, VA

Can Colin Powell ever really become a leader in the Republican Party when he is openly opposed to "corporate welfare," is pro-choice and supports affirmative action?

Fred Dudley - Florida
Absolutely! We are not a party of "single" issues, and those few Republicans who focus only on a single issue do not represent the real leadership of our party. Our party's view of "leadership" is allowing fair and open debate and resolution on different and conflicting issues, and I believe General Powell's speech last night demonstrates his own ability to be "tolerant" of others.

Thanks for writing. Please keep up the watching, listening and learning.

Jim Fleming - Connecticut
Yes he can. He already is a leader in our party . I am a pro life Republican but it is not the only issue for me and it is not the only issue for others. Powell made the most remarkable speech last night that set a new course for our party . I believe that one day he may in fact be President of our country. He reminds me of another great military man who became our President that was Eisenhower.

Natalie Meyer - Colorado
Colin Powell is already a leader in the Republican Party. Republicans have raised a big tent with room for tolerance on side-bar issues. We are united on basic principles of individual responsibility, freedom to manage our own lives without excessive government intrusion.

Bill Preble - AZ
The Party is undergoing change. Colin Powell, and almost anyone who has a reasonable intelligence, and sense of the political process, and the people, can become a Republican leader. All comers can play.

Michael Steele - Maryland
I certainly hope so. Colin Powell represents the future of the party, as do so many other Republicans--of all stripes. You witnessed a new beginning for the party. As an African-American Republican, I was proud of Colin and my party. I think the Country has everything to gain from a Republican party that is both tolerant and diverse. I believe we can be both without diluting the essential tenants of support for life, equal opportunity, and economic growth for the individual and business.

Bob Welch - WI
Colin Powell is a great American leader. He stands firmly in the mainstream of American opinion on many issues and is welcome as a leader of the Republican party. On a few controversial issues he is out of step with the majority of the delegates and a majority of America. So what? Bob Dole and I don't agree on everything either. An old line is "If two people agree on everything, one is unnecessary." Ending corporate welfare, however, is precisely in the mainstream of what Republicans believe. The difference between Powell and Weld is one of attitude. Powell said we can disagree and still be united on the economy, on foreign policy, on family values, on the military. And we can work together to push the country forward. Bill Weld, in contrast, complained about the party and sought to divide to conquer - wholly unconstructive and out of place at a nominating convention.

Dwight Adams - SD
I would disagree with the questioner including "corporate welfare" as a basis for identity with a political party. As to the views on all of the pertinent issues, the adopted platform of the Republican party, the speakers from all viewpoints that are addressing the party convention clearly demonstrate that the party is an open party to all views and welcomes participation of people with all divergent views here. Unlike the Democrat Party, that in its last convention would not allow speakers to address the convention concerning divergent viewpoints from their Party position on pertinent social issues.