ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Portions of downtown St. Paul took on the appearance of an armed camp Thursday, as war protesters and police engaged in tense standoffs near the site of the Republican National Convention.

But inside the arena, surrounded by tall steel fences, multiple checkpoints and a small army of law enforcement officers, GOP delegates said they were happy to be insulated from the street drama.

"I actually expected more" protests, said Minnesota delegate and Iraq war veteran Brian Wiener, as he waited for events to get under way on the convention floor. "I've seen a lot more dangerous situations."

"It's not as if this is a base in Iraq," he said, comparing it his experiences in the war, where he served with the Minnesota National Guard's 34th Infantry Division.

Seated next to him, delegate Judy Soderstrom said she could see some protesters from time to time near the arena, and she welcomed the security net around the convention site.

"I feel so protected here," she said.

And even though she heard stories about at least one delegate's bus having its tires slashed, and her own bus was held up on Monday by protesters sitting down in the street, she said she respected the right of demonstrators to be heard.

Wiener agreed, but added that, "I wish they would respect our right to free speech and to freely assemble as well."

Hundreds of protesters have been arrested since the convention began on Monday. While most marchers were peaceful, smaller bands of self-described anarchists have broken downtown windows, damaged police cruisers and prompted tear-gas assaults by authorities.

Alaska delegate Paul Verhagen said he welcomed the heavy convention security but suggested that more might have been done to protect a Tuesday afternoon program he attended off site in Minneapolis.

Organized by Phyllis Schlafly, the 83-year-old founder of the Eagle Forum, and a conservative movement icon, the "Life of the Party" gathering at the Crowne Plaza was billed as an anti-abortion rally of sorts.

Verhagen said the audience was caught off-guard when Schlafly's remarks were interrupted by some women who barged their way onto the stage. One shoved Schlafly out of way and tried to seize the microphone, according to local press reports.

Before police had time to respond, however, Schlafly grabbed a paper sign the protester was carrying and ripped it in two, Verhagen said. Then she took back the microphone and introduced conservative radio host Laura Ingram.

Verhagen said he was surprised -- and pleased -- by how vigorously Schlafly responded. But he said he wished the episode hadn't taken place at all.

"At least there was no violence," he said.

New York delegate Jim Coleman said his bus had trouble returning delegates to their hotel in downtown Minneapolis after "about 100" protesters jammed the streets in front of them, forcing a short detour. But he said he expected protests and welcomed the freedom of expression.

"If we all agree on something, great," he said. "If not, then speak out."

Whether the protesters were able to generate any sympathy for their positions was another matter, said Texas alternate delegate Steve Thompson, because the average person may have a hard time supporting people who break the law.

"Still, I think I'd be more worried if there were no protests at all," he said.