RNCC: First Lady Laura Bush, Cindy McCain
posted at 6:15 pm on September 1, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
We had heard earlier that Laura Bush would address the convention this afternoon, which seemed somewhat surprising given the low-key atmosphere all day. She got a rousing ovation when announced, and seemed happy to speak to the crowd. Mrs. Bush started off by emphasizing the theme for today — support for the people in the Gulf Coast hit by Hurricane Gustav. She introduced messages from governors of the states affected by the storm — Texas, Florida, Mississippi, and Alabama.
Gov. Rick Perry spoke from the front lines of the response. He emphasized the people who have assisted in the relief effort. Governer Riley of Alabama also saluted the National Guard, and pledged his attention and support for those affected by the storm. Charlie Crist focused on Tropical Storm Fay, which the Republican convention has also adopted as a cause. Haley Barbour praised the response of the federal government and joined the pledge to assist their neighbors. All of them emphasized the nonpartisan nature of pulling together as Americans in time of danger.
Cindy McCain then took the stage and introduced the charities at the AidMatrix Foundation, which can be found at Cause Greater. She reminded the convention that John McCain had asked us to put aside our Republican hats and put on our Americans hats instead, and asked for contributions now so that aid can start flowing immediately. After talking about how proud she was to appear on stage with the First Lady, she exited — without a word about politics.
Shortly afterward, the convention adjourned for the evening. Nothing will happen from this point, at least not in the hall. No one expected anything different, although some were surprised by the appearance by Mrs. McCain and Mrs. Bush — pleasantly so. It gave the meeting an energy it had lacked all day.
More later.
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marklmail on September 1, 2008 at 6:17 PM
Yanno, RNC says today is no time for partisan politics, and suspended the campaign today out of respect for the gulf coast.
Narcissus Obamacles says today is no time for partisan politics, and they continue to stump and run a campaign, attacking Republicans.
Huh. I guess this is change.
Enoxo on September 1, 2008 at 6:19 PM
They brought energy to the delegates. Palin has brought energy to the voters. Just wait till Palin’s convention speech.
I love our women. Sarah, Laura, Cindy, Roberta McCain, Meghan McCain, etc. I could go on. The Republican Party is not a boys only club. And this energy is just the beginning.
D0WNT0WN on September 1, 2008 at 6:20 PM
Cindy McCain looks like Bo Derek.
Laura looks wonderful in elegant white, or cream.
Michael Moore will eat his words, big time.
Entelechy on September 1, 2008 at 6:21 PM
” . . . the Republican Party is not a boys only club. And this energy is just the beginning.
D0WNT0WN on September 1, 2008 at 6:20 PM
rplat on September 1, 2008 at 6:23 PM
I just finished watching this. Laura Bush and Cindy McCain exhibited class, grace and dignity. The wildly enthusiastic crowd wouldn’t stop clapping for Laura — it seemed she had to say “Thank you” about a million times to get them to quiet down.
So far, I am very impressed by the way the RNC has handled this unexpected political hot potato. Under the circumstances, in an age where the so-called mainstream media will cut them down no matter what they do, they’ve definitely risen to the occasion. Although part of me hates the fact that hurricanes are now political events, I also understand the difficulty of the decision the RNC had to make. Kudos to them. I also liked the way the Republican governors made a point of thanking President Bush and were not afraid to mention their party affiliation. And all of course ended their video appearance with “God bless America.” Good stuff!
Dariaanne on September 1, 2008 at 6:25 PM
As much as I admire Cindy McCain, I will miss Laura Bush. There is just something about her that I can’t get enough of… class, elegance, grace. I’m sure, however, that Mrs. McCain will ably fill her predecessor’s shoes.
Anna on September 1, 2008 at 6:25 PM
These women should be at home with their children: Sally Quinn.
CanadianGuy on September 1, 2008 at 6:25 PM
More class on that stage than all the liberal campuses combined.
sven10077 on September 1, 2008 at 6:27 PM
Oh, but Michelle Obama is SOOOO much more beautiful and classy. These liberal morons are delusional.
marklmail on September 1, 2008 at 6:27 PM
They should have kept the convention going tonight in the telethon format. Get local bands to perform to raise money for the gulf coast charities. Invite republicans and democrats to speak in unity for relief efforts.
JoeBrooks on September 1, 2008 at 6:28 PM
While Fox gave Cindy McCain’s speech a full window, CNN begrudgingly gave it a 25% window as the rest of the screen showed the same wave over and over washing in. Bad day for Fowler and CNN, so far no massive deaths.
malkinmania on September 1, 2008 at 6:29 PM
How is Palin such a bad pick ?
William Amos on September 1, 2008 at 6:31 PM
The Democratic party has long been the party of women…nobody likes. It’s time we showed ‘em how it’s done.
Hannibal Smith on September 1, 2008 at 6:36 PM
Cindy McCain looks great!
Maureen Dowd is furiously typing a column to slam the pearls (double stranded – and there’s a hurricane going on!)
Marcus on September 1, 2008 at 6:39 PM
You can always tell when a woman is a Republican.
Hate turns the others ugly!!
landlines on September 1, 2008 at 6:43 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65I0HNvTDH4&eurl=http
OMG, look at this!
Enoxo on September 1, 2008 at 6:45 PM
yeah experience we can count on…baby
sven10077 on September 1, 2008 at 6:46 PM
not to be catty but…………. what in the heck was Cindy McCain wearing?
Hey Cindy, Versailles called – they want their drapes back!
On a more serious note, I’m glad to see that ole Volf and CNN are covering all the important angles of this convention, like how Palin’s daughter is pregnant, and Palin’s daughter’s pregnency, and the pregnancy of Palin’s daughter.
They’re also letting us know what Obama thinks of Palin’s daughter being pregnant and what the delegates are saying about Palin’s daughter’s pregnancy.
Gotta hand it to them, they’re really touching on all the hard-hitting issues!
dead-duck on September 1, 2008 at 6:47 PM
Laura Bush is the south…a real live steel magnolia.
Sue on September 1, 2008 at 6:49 PM
It’s more important for the Republicans to get Cindy and Palin on stage at the same time. We need to know that the 2 babes in McCain’s life won’t get into a cat fight.
bayam on September 1, 2008 at 6:50 PM
dead-duck,
I didn’t like her dress either. But I thought she looked pretty.
Sue on September 1, 2008 at 6:50 PM
True. She’s a pretty lady, but I thought the dress was… umm… no! ;)
By the way, did anyone else see the interview the CNN reporter did with the delegate from Alaska? The first thing she asked him about was (of course!) the pregnancy news, and he mentioned that he had been through the same thing with his daughter and it was a private matter etc. The reporter then kept asking him qestions about it from several different angles. I’m not sure exactly what answer she was trying to get out of him, but his responses were very level headed, fair and compassionate.
Just wait, though, eventually someone in the media will find a proper foaming at the mouth “fundie” to give them the answers they want to hear and then they can let the world know exactly what those evil conservatives and rethuglican neanderthals really think!
dead-duck on September 1, 2008 at 6:57 PM
Did anyone see the FOX News panel on Special Report just now? Mort Kondracke just made the most idiotic observation reagarding Bristol Palin’s pregnancy and abstinence teaching in public schools. Bill Kristol was rightfully enraged that Mort would even speculate as to whether Bristol and her boyfriend used protection and let him have it. Kudos to Bill. How dare Kondracke pretend to know what kind of protection (or lack therof) was used! Gee, you’d think that every teenager, or adult for that matter, who used protection, found it to be foolproof every time. It’s not as if condoms, the Pill or any other method have even been known to fail, right? Sheesh, Mort! I expect better from you. That was worse than Fred’s unfortunate comments regarding “working-class” voters during the primaries.
Dariaanne on September 1, 2008 at 7:01 PM
Isnt the story of a recent Presidential candidate holding his family jewels while his knee holds the mens room door shut preventing a horde of national Enquirer photogs from getting in becasue his mistress who he impregnated was upstairs and his cancer riddled wife sits home, more newsworthy to CNN??
malkinmania on September 1, 2008 at 7:05 PM
Actually, Mortie’s making a valid point.
It’s a little known fact that the only women who ever get pregnant are those who a) planned to or b) never had proper sex ed and as such don’t know where babies come from.
Seriously, it’s true. I read it on the internet.
dead-duck on September 1, 2008 at 7:14 PM
Cindy.
Uh .. the dress ..
What the ….
Wait til we start seeing stills of her dressed like a superhero drippin with pearls all over god’s green blogosphere …
Sheesh ..
cgoode777 on September 1, 2008 at 7:32 PM
Silly me! Thanks for the clarification! :) :)
Dariaanne on September 1, 2008 at 7:33 PM
Glad I could open your eyes to that reality! :D
dead-duck on September 1, 2008 at 7:37 PM
This was a smart way to open the first day.
After the week is done, a great ad could be made simply contrasting the Conventions. Hype about Change versus the Straight Talk Express. Look for Obama to follow McCain’s gesture of a complimentary ad to play after McCain acceptance speech.
Doug on September 1, 2008 at 7:37 PM
This is the CONVENTION OF THE HAWT, SMART WOMAN.
***Ed’s hatin’ THAT***
seejanemom on September 1, 2008 at 7:51 PM
She looks fine. Leave her alone, bitch.
argos on September 1, 2008 at 8:37 PM
Who needs swimsuits with real women like these two? Eye, intellect and conviction pleasing.
Caststeel on September 1, 2008 at 9:01 PM
Cindy McCain could give classes on being First Lady. Watching her this weekend doing the press rounds and talking about her trip to Georgia, her relief work around the globe and rolling into today and promoting the Gustov relief…
That is a First Lady.
Enough with for-the-first-time-in-my-adult-life-I-am-proud-of-my-country-I-have-always-said-that-only-in-America-would-my-story-be-possible and her Martha Steward makeover.
Damiano on September 1, 2008 at 10:14 PM
By the way .. if you don’t know much about Laura Bush, do youself a favor and find a good biography about her.
Saw a good documentary about her once and it stuck with me (not the title, though, sorry).
She is an absolutely fascinating and quietly extraordinary woman.
Would love to see her in Congress.
cgoode777 on September 1, 2008 at 10:52 PM
Is that Judy Jetson on the left?
Can.Utility on September 2, 2008 at 12:06 AM