Republican ConventionFollow

Since no one mentioned it at all (that I've seen), I figured I'd toss out my observations so far. Realize that I'm not exactly glued to the screen or anything, but have been watching the major speeches, so that's what I'll talk about most.

Bush's speech. Decent. I think he got the right mix of dealing with Gustav and supporting McCain without getting too close. The Hurricane actually helped because it gave him a way to give a speech remotely to the convention without having to actually appear. Helps to break the whole "this is a Bush third term" argument IMO.

Thompson's speech. Brilliant. The man can talk when he puts his mind to it. He did an excellent job of "introducing" McCain. He perfectly contrasted McCain and Obama. He perfectly deflected the "being a POW doesn't qualify you for president" by turning it into a character issue. He put an explanation point on it with his statement that we'd never have to ask who McCain is and if we can trust him with the presidency. Overall, I thought his was by far the strongest speech and was perfect to get the base going for the convention.

Lieberman's speech. Historic. Really. People say this about Obama's speeches on occasion, but this one was in a way that nothing Obama has said is. This isn't some moderate who's switched sides. Lieberman is no less liberal today than he was 8 years ago when he was the VP choice for the Dem party. For him to give a speech like this at the Republican convention today is monumental, and should indicate to what degree the far left's antagonistic ideology has infected his own party. There's just no way to discount the power of a man with his history and political positions telling independents and democrats to vote for McCain instead of Obama.


Additionally, I think the theme of the convention was (is) brilliant. They've recognized that the Republican brand is at a low point, so the focus is not about the party, but about the country as a whole. When you vote for McCain, it's not about voting for a Republican, but the guy who's best for the whole country. It's a very smart move IMO. At least on this first night, the theme of "Country First" was well handled and seemed to be well received. I saw a lot more excitement than I expected to.


Overall, I think the tone and theme of the convention is very well aimed at blunting the prime arguments and rhetoric of the Obama camp. The approach seems to be that rhetoric is all Obama has, so if you can blunt that, the voters will be forced to choose on their merits and capabilities, and in that comparison McCain stomps him. I think it's the right approach. Honestly, it all hinges on how Palin does tonight. From the one speech I've seen her give so far, she's certainly capable of knocking this one out of the park...

I liked the part where somebody said something and everybody clapped.

Made me want to be American.

We should do that over here instead of messing around with specific policies, tangible plans and stuff.

Ah we keep effective politics & rhetoric separate.

We have dullards like Bliar, Brown & Cameron to talk politics, and knobheads like George Galloway to dance the light verbal fandango.

turned cartwheels 'cross the floor

We have dullards like Bliar, Brown & Cameron

Two of these things are not like the other, two of these things are kind of the same.

Blair was a rhetoric machine.

Funny how even after that's been debunked, some of you keep repeating it. I get repeating something you think is true, but this is just plain amusing now...

But it's been proven that her husband was a member. Given the criticism of Ms. Obama throughout the campaign, I'd say making fun of the AIP connection is still good times.

Why does Sarah Palin's husband hate America? Was it this anti-American influence that caused her teenaged daughter to get knocked-up?

I really wish this damn convention would get the **** out of my city.

Minneapolis was spit polished for this crap. I'm surprised that they didn't bleach the ******* river so the horrible smell of it wouldn't waft over the cities and upset the politicians. For weeks on end leading up to this shindig, there were city workers scrubbing the grout in the sidewalks, powerwashing the slabs, and shining up the shiny things. Businesses have poured fat wads into recarpeting and renovations, practically everything connected to the skyway system has gotten a complete face lift.

I hear St.Paul blew even more money on this crap than Minneapolis did. It astounds me. It really, honestly, astounds me how much money was dumped into this event. It's the multi-billion dollar equivalent to getting out the good china for guests, then switching back to dixie cups and paper plates when they leave.

But, I will say, wherever they shipped the homeless to, I hope they don't ship them back, it's nice to be able to walk the two blocks from the bus stop to work, and not get asked for change four or five times.

Switched sides from being a Liberal Smash. Stop pretending to be dumb about this.

The significance of a man who was the Dem party VP pick just 8 years ago giving a speech in favor of the Republican candidate at the Republican convention is historic. It's never happened. Now. If this happened because Lieberman changed his positions, you could discount it as the man changing. But what's happened is that the party has changed. That's the message that comes out of his action.

And it's a powerful one. You're one of the faithful far left folks, so you don't see it (or choose to ignore it). But for the millions of moderate Liberals who've been voting Democrat most of their lives and are noticing that their party isn't really the same as it was just 10 years ago. This was very significant.



You put too much faith in polling and not enough in people Smash. A typical Liberal mistake, made worse by the fact that because Liberals think this way, they spend most of their efforts doing things designed to generate positive changes in the polls. And when that doesn't translate into success, they cry foul.

Switched sides from being a Liberal Smash.

Yeah, he hasn't. Christ you're fucking idiot.


You put too much faith in polling and not enough in people Smash. A typical Liberal mistake, made worse by the fact that because Liberals think this way, they spend most of their efforts doing things designed to generate positive changes in the polls.

You mean like the Palin pick? Yeah, we have to get better at that.

Can you get trolled easier?

I'm sure if Michelle Obama never said anything about not being proud of America, and was tenously connected to an anti American "minor" political party, the conservatives would be talking about it too.

Also, I dunno..to me, saying you haven't been proud of what your country has done over the past 40 years is different than saying you want to secede. And are you honestly saying that you can't make a case for the fact that there's things black people aren't proud of how America's been for the past 40 years?