The Republican National Convention's first night of festivities seemed to come off without a glitch last evening. The very effective and recurring theme of the night was "Country first."
I felt it was fortuitous for McCain, and the GOP, that both Bush and Cheney's speeches were bumped on Monday night due to hurricaine Gustav. I thought, due to thier poll numbers, it might be best to have them both make just ceremonial appearances going forward.
But the combination of short speaking stints by Laura and George Bush, with Bush coming from Satillite feed from the White House, worked perfectly. She was fantastic, as usual, and more outwardly political than we normally see. He was to the point and made a number of strong political statements that supported the GOP nominee.
The President also helped McCain separate himself from his administration when he joked about how McCain has the tendency to tell you what he thinks when he disagrees with you when he said, "John is an independent man who thinks for himself. He's not afraid to tell you when he disagrees. Believe me, I know! No matter what the issue, this man is honest and speaks straight from the heart." The humorous moment was part of a speech that enabled Bush to speak positively about the last 8 years without tying McCain to much of what happened during them.
Sen. Fred Thompson gave the most aggressive speech of the night and, as always, he proves why he's been in public life and television for many, many years - McCain's personal story could not have been told more forcefully and contrasted more effectively to that of the life of Sen. Obama. He also slammed Obama effectively, calling him "the most liberal and inexperienced nominee ever to run for president."
Last, but not least, Sen. Joe Lieberman gave a typically monotoned speech that made history, if not much else. He appealed to "bi-partisanship," which i'm sure the crowd in St. Paul wasn't looking to hear, and he talked about his personal and professional respect and admiration for Sen. McCain. Overall, it could be seen as comforting to many who are on the fence about Obama to come over to support John McCain, but it will surely make the Senator from Connecticut enemy number one in the Senate's Democratic Caucus this coming legistlative cycle.
Overall, the entire night went well and, unlike the Democratic convention, which seemed as disjointed and directionless as you would think the party of special interests would be, the Republicans put on three hours of a concise message for the American people that John McCain is ready to lead and has been since he joined the Navy at 17...
UE's thoughts??
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written by Andrew Roman , September 03, 2008
I happened to be watching on NBC for a time, although I generally watch convention coverage on C-Span. On NBC, during President Bush's comments, the convention hall crowd volume was mixed down, making for some slightly akward looking pauses in the President's delivery while the (unheard) crowd was cheering and clapping.
Perhaps I'm too focused on minutae.
Leiberman was very good in his predictably wavy monotoned style. I thought his best line was, "“God only made one John McCain, and he is his own man." It won't be quoted by school kids in twenty years, but I liked it. I agree with you, Jay, about Leiberman's probable future in the Senate. Seeing as the Democrats will assuredly pick up seats in the Senate in November, Leiberman's importance to the party as the "tie-breaking guy" will be non-existent. Public enemy number one, indeed.
Fred Thompson was being Fred Thompson, and that's perfectly all right with me. As you stated in your piece, Thompson's most effective line - for me anyway - was calling Senator Obama "the most liberal and inexperienced nominee ever to run for president." It worked.
My overall impression of last night's proceedings was one of mild satisfaction. It certainly did not come off badly by any stretch of the imagination. As Jay alluded to, the night did, in fact, go well. It was certainly more cohesive in many ways than the Democratic showing last week. I certainly didn't walk away with any feelings of excitement or chills after last night - not that I expected to. I watched. I ingested. I enjoyed. I said, "Okay." I went to bed.
Enter Rudy and Sarah ...
Andy Roman
Brooklyn, NY
written by Jay Golub , September 03, 2008
The best part about last night is that it is over. By covering "the past," the McCain campaign can look forward now. And the manner in which they covered "the past" was to balance the very unpopular Bush Administration "achievements" with the very popular history of Reagan and the very compelling tribute to McCain's past.
The impression that was left with me is that McCain was doing great things before Bush took office and will be doing great things after Bush is out of office - de-linking Bush from the Senator from AZ will be the single greatest challenge to for the McCain camp and last night was a great start.
The convention last night demonstrated why the GOP has been the favorite in most Presidential elections for the last few decades. The GOP, due to it's compostion, enables the type of patriotic message that only a party based on tradition can offer.
The Dem's had the heads of Planned Parenthood and the AFL-CIO as speakers, something that will never bring our country together and something that only pleases the Democratic base. Obama's appeal, if you will, is not in supporting those special interests.
Essentially, how can Obama be the agent of change and "end the business as usual" when he and his party invite the leaders of the DC elite to address thier convention?
The next two days will be filled with what is to come next for the GOP...
BTW, although i was a strong supporter of Rudy for this nomination, it's important to note that the patriotic theme of last night and the slogan "Country First" could not have been pulled off by the former NYC Mayor. His convention, if he had won, would have been filled with domestic discussions and revisiting 9-11 - things that would not have had the same positive effect as last nights program offered.
In many ways, the party is better off with McCain as the nominee, at least in the short run...
written by Andrew Roman , September 03, 2008
Carefully constructing this convention to be all about John McCain's vision for the future (as it should be), with a tasteful and well-done look into his distinguished and honorable past, by default makes this the "anti-Bush" convention in many ways. It is a very smart move. As you say, Jay, McCain is tactfully "de-linking" from President Bush.
Indeed, it's all about what lies ahead.
An excellent "take," Jay.
Andy Roman
Brooklyn, NY
written by Jay Golub , September 04, 2008
http://www.nypost.com/seven/09...127205.htm
Day 2 reaction...
Palin did very well last night. Might have gone on about 8 minutes too long and she stumbled with the first few sentances, but after that she seemed poised and confident. With all that was on the line last night, Gov. Palin proved herself to be ready for the bigh stage with that professionally delivered speech.
The fact that Obama has allowed himself, via the post above, to get into the "I'm more qualified than her"-thing is a sign of both how far Obama's star has fallen recently and how the pressure may be getting to his staff.
Just a few months ago, Obama's campaign was the best run political operation in recent memory, and he needed it to defeat Hillary Clinton for the nomination. Between the failed trip to bolster Obama's international credentials to Germany and Iraq and the lackluster Convention, his people aren't getting the job done any more.
Responding to the GOP's collective charge that Palin is "more experienced" than Obama is moronic - like stepping in an obvious beartrap.
To that end, i must adjust my debate predictions. She may be just cutting and confident enough to fight to a draw with Biden. Like his response last night, Biden is easily flustered and prone to being condescending. Palin will get under his skin enough to force some reaction from him, putting him on his heels and, potentially, suffering the same fate Rick Lazio met vs. Hillary in her first senate race.
Rudy gave a great speech - one only an Urban Republican could give...
I was concerned that after his speech, Palin would have little room for improvement. But she came right out and did the job.
I still think it was an unnecessary pick, and although it's only been a week, she has passed every test with high grades so far. If this continues, McCain will get much credit for his "judgement"....
written by Jay Golub , September 08, 2008
http://www.nypost.com/seven/09...127995.htm
It seems that "country first" is working. McCain's bounce after the convention is exactly what the doctor ordered and has put Obama on his heels.
And after Obama's appearance on national television this weekend's "This week" program, i think those numbers could get worse.
It seems that the "unity" and "bi-partisanhip" Obama is looking for using phrases and luke-warm policies, was easier attained by what the GOP did last week at it's convention.
What an election cycle this has turned out to be...
written by Daniel Peterson , September 08, 2008
I got a chance to see Huckabee & Romney's speeches on C-SPAN this weekend.
I have to say Huckabee gave a very good speech and Romney's speech made me feel he was going to pull out an index card and say "the actual retail price of his speech is....."
written by Jay Golub , September 08, 2008
yeah, Romney's speech seemed stale and insincere. He really was unimpressive. Yet, i could assume he was very disappointed not to be selected for the VP slot and probably felt, even moreso than myself, that Palin's selection was in error. He had no hop in his step that night.
Huckabee is a skilled southern pol with the ability to convey a message well - pastor-style if you will. He should actually be speaking at the Dem's convention due to his domestic policy stances, but the pro-lifers certainly love him...
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