Thursday, September 04, 2008
RNC's last night
John McCain just gave a great speech.
He talked coherently and sensibly about policy issues, and acknowledged that his party has failed to live up to its ideals for the past 8 years.
Rather than just claiming war hero status, he spoke with depth and passion about how that experience humbled and changed him.
Rather than insulting his opponents, he made a strong case for why he would be a great president.
I very much admire what he chose to say.
The following is IPLawGuy's final-night report:
Congressman Boehner gaveled the convention to a close after what we think was a sucessful Television-oriented speech.
According to those who should know, last night's speech by gov. Palin was for "the arena" (and the GOP base) while tonight's was for the people at home.
McCain has been running a campaign where he appears "presidential" not partisan. He took only a few shots at Obama and they were gentle, while Obama went after mcCain pretty hard last week.
The only fellow POW he mentioned, Bob Craner, passed away many years ago. Craner's son worked with me on McCain's staff in the 80's.
Cindy McCain had a tough job warming up for her husband without a podium to hide behind! The consensus here is that she was good too.
The others, not so much...
As for parties, the Virginia delegation was treated to lunch by Target today. It was delicious!
Got some good swag too, including a man purse.
He talked coherently and sensibly about policy issues, and acknowledged that his party has failed to live up to its ideals for the past 8 years.
Rather than just claiming war hero status, he spoke with depth and passion about how that experience humbled and changed him.
Rather than insulting his opponents, he made a strong case for why he would be a great president.
I very much admire what he chose to say.
The following is IPLawGuy's final-night report:
Congressman Boehner gaveled the convention to a close after what we think was a sucessful Television-oriented speech.
According to those who should know, last night's speech by gov. Palin was for "the arena" (and the GOP base) while tonight's was for the people at home.
McCain has been running a campaign where he appears "presidential" not partisan. He took only a few shots at Obama and they were gentle, while Obama went after mcCain pretty hard last week.
The only fellow POW he mentioned, Bob Craner, passed away many years ago. Craner's son worked with me on McCain's staff in the 80's.
Cindy McCain had a tough job warming up for her husband without a podium to hide behind! The consensus here is that she was good too.
The others, not so much...
As for parties, the Virginia delegation was treated to lunch by Target today. It was delicious!
Got some good swag too, including a man purse.
Comments:
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It was a nice break after the unseemly, often vicious comments on Wednesday. I was deeply disappointed in Rudy G. and Palin's attacks. This was a big improvement.
RFDIII
RFDIII
# posted by 
: 11:32 PM
: 11:32 PM
I agree totally. He handled the hecklers--and those in his own party--with grace and tact. I was most impressed, though, with his stories about being a POW, and how grateful he was to those who helped him through it. Powerful stuff.
Is it just me and my admittedly slanted view of things, or did the reception of his speech seem rather lukewarm?
I mean, I wasn't really listening (I was too busy playing "spot the minority!" with my friends), but I didn't see the pizzazz I usually come to expect from Republicans.
I mean, I wasn't really listening (I was too busy playing "spot the minority!" with my friends), but I didn't see the pizzazz I usually come to expect from Republicans.
Twas a nice attempt by McCain to distance himself from everything his convention has put forth for the previous days -- biting partisan rancor, in tone and in policy -- but I can't believe how many people, for now, are swallowing it honestly.
McCain's POW story is fine, but it is also oozingly, drippingly overdone by now; we will not elect an individual based on a courage displayed nearly 40 years ago.
McCain's POW story is fine, but it is also oozingly, drippingly overdone by now; we will not elect an individual based on a courage displayed nearly 40 years ago.
# posted by : 9:19 AM
: 9:19 AM
Septimus--
With McCain, though, it does connect to things he has done in the past, like push for campaign finance reform. It was a good speech if approached with some measure of objectivity.
I agree with you about the rest of convention. And Lane is right--those in the hall seemed lukewarm about McCain's presentation.
With McCain, though, it does connect to things he has done in the past, like push for campaign finance reform. It was a good speech if approached with some measure of objectivity.
I agree with you about the rest of convention. And Lane is right--those in the hall seemed lukewarm about McCain's presentation.
Yes, the "inside" reception for McCain was not as ecstatic as it had been for Palin, Thompson, Giuliani and Michael Steele.
And that was by design. The "base" of the party wanted red meat -- but that just is not McCain's style. Never has been. And he knows that he needs to win an election.
So, yes indeed, many of my fellow conventioneers were disappointed. But these are the kind of people who would be perfectly happy nominating a "true conservative" (whatever that is) every time, no matter what the chances of winning would be and no matter whether that person could actually govern. Those of you who know anything about Virginia politics would know what I am talking about. (see Earley, Mark; North, Oliver; Farris, Mike, etc.)
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And that was by design. The "base" of the party wanted red meat -- but that just is not McCain's style. Never has been. And he knows that he needs to win an election.
So, yes indeed, many of my fellow conventioneers were disappointed. But these are the kind of people who would be perfectly happy nominating a "true conservative" (whatever that is) every time, no matter what the chances of winning would be and no matter whether that person could actually govern. Those of you who know anything about Virginia politics would know what I am talking about. (see Earley, Mark; North, Oliver; Farris, Mike, etc.)
# posted by : 4:43 PM
: 4:43 PM << Home
