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Republican convention, night three: The crucible

posted at 7:57 pm on September 3, 2008 by Allahpundit
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Michael Steele, Mitt, Huck, Rudy, and then the main event: The heavy hitters start around 9 p.m. ET with the Barracuda to follow circa 10:30. Strident Obama partisans are excused from rooting for her; everyone else needs a note from mom. She’s still got an open field to run: 66% say they don’t know enough about her, and of those who do, two to one are in favor.We’ll have the video as soon as it’s available, probably shortly before midnight. If you’re away from the TV, most of the news nets’ websites offer live feeds, as of course does C-SPAN’s. A taste of things to come:

Before I became governor of the great state of Alaska, I was mayor of my hometown. And since our opponents in this presidential election seem to look down on that experience, let me explain to them what the job involves. I guess a small-town mayor is sort of like a ‘community organizer,’ except that you have actual responsibilities.”

Romney’s going to go out and tweak Michelle Obama, an exceedingly foolish move after The One made a show of pushing Bristol Palin out of the crosshairs a few days ago. Granted, it’s apples and oranges, but it’s stupid to hand the media a gimme victim meme. Maybe Mitt will wise up and pull it beforehand.

While we wait, I offer you the good, the bad, the ugly, and the bizarre. The good: Whatever the left would have you believe, Palin’s apparently not one to legislate her religious convictions. The bad: The talking point about commanding the Alaska NG really is weak. The ugly: Three of the earmarks she requested as mayor of Wasilla were included in “pork lists” compiled and publicized by … John McCain. And the bizarre: Jake Tapper floats the theory that McCain’s camp is itself trying to circulate smears about Palin, to rally the base behind her. His evidence? The fact that they sent out a press release today about the new Enquirer story before he’d had a chance to see it. Good work, Jake.

I leave you with sweetness and light from a different McCain/Palin ticket. Exit question: Timothy Noah makes a tantalizing point here. Could the pathetic “scandals” the media’s unearthed have lowered expectations so much that anything north of decent tonight will be hailed as an earth-shattering triumph? Just desserts, baby. Taste them. Click the image to watch.

Update: Here’s a better exit question, actually. Try to guess who asked it: “Why shouldn’t a little-known woman have the same opportunity to grow?”


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Second the other sentiments. Wouldn’t vote for Huck, but tonight I’m thankful he’s on our side. Great speech.

BadgerHawk on September 3, 2008 at 9:40 PM

God bless that teacher and those men that brought in the desks. :)

Ryan Gandy on September 3, 2008 at 9:40 PM

I’m not a fan of Huck either, but he is doing a GREAT job tonight. Some awesome, awesome lines in this speech.

capitalist piglet on September 3, 2008 at 9:40 PM

That story was way too long.

He could have told that in half the time, with no loss in the impact.

Harpazo on September 3, 2008 at 9:40 PM

AC has become a self-parody.

Dariaanne on September 3, 2008 at 9:40 PM

100% agree

carbon_footprint on September 3, 2008 at 9:40 PM

Back during the debates, Huck fell completely out of favor with me when he said “I didn’t raise taxes, I raised hope”. Feh.

bluetick on September 3, 2008 at 9:40 PM

Come chat the RNC with us!

http://rightwingsparkle.blogspot.com/

Rightwingsparkle on September 3, 2008 at 9:34 PM

Not great manners to come on one forum and urge people to leave and come to yours.

rivlax on September 3, 2008 at 9:41 PM

Palin’s warmup act? Fellow “maverick” female Rethuglican Governor Linda Lingle, who runs the all-Blue state of Hawai’i.

She has quite a lot in common with Sarah, actually-she started in the islands by founding a newspaper (Sarah was a sports reporter) and then Linda was Mayor of Mau’i.

Pass the poi!

Del Dolemonte on September 3, 2008 at 9:41 PM

Not bad, not bad. Desk story was too long. But not bad.

Spirit of 1776 on September 3, 2008 at 9:41 PM

Huck is good at speeches and stories.

carbon_footprint on September 3, 2008 at 9:41 PM

Dang.

Huck blew it away with that story.

VolMagic on September 3, 2008 at 9:41 PM

Strong ending to the speech, with the story, and the desk, and the Oval Office for McCain. Nice work, Huck.

MikeknaJ on September 3, 2008 at 9:41 PM

Next up is Rudy! This should be good!

techno_barbarian on September 3, 2008 at 9:41 PM

Huck — McCain earned the desk in the Oval Office.

Paul-Cincy on September 3, 2008 at 9:41 PM

Keep it up, Keith.

Vizzini on September 3, 2008 at 9:41 PM

How can Fox justify not covering these speeches?

Ronnie on September 3, 2008 at 9:42 PM

nothing quite like a preachers cadence for witnessing to character.

zane on September 3, 2008 at 9:42 PM

Huckabee was quite inspirational tonight. Damn good speaker.

theguardianii on September 3, 2008 at 9:42 PM

Whoops! Sorry ’bout that. Rudy will be up in a little while.

techno_barbarian on September 3, 2008 at 9:42 PM

Huck is flatout crushing the opposition. Didn’t want him as Pres, but I’m glad to have him around.

Brad on September 3, 2008 at 9:42 PM

WTF. A Palin Bio and no one but C-SPAN is covering it.

BadgerHawk on September 3, 2008 at 9:42 PM

What a magnificent speach by Huckabee! You guy’s blew it. He should have been the GOP nominee. You blew it. *sigh*

apacalyps on September 3, 2008 at 9:43 PM

I’m only watching CspanI. Don’t need commentary.

Paul-Cincy on September 3, 2008 at 9:43 PM

I thought it was pronounced Wasilly?

carbon_footprint on September 3, 2008 at 9:43 PM

How can Fox justify not covering these speeches?

Ronnie on September 3, 2008 at 9:42 PM

and giving Obama space tommorrow night!!!

jp on September 3, 2008 at 9:43 PM

I am watching online on CSPAN and TV is on FOX, and recording CSPAN on my DVR… I think I have it covered.

Dasher on September 3, 2008 at 9:44 PM

Huckabee kicked butt!!

dugan on September 3, 2008 at 9:44 PM

Great speech by Huck. I am also glad he is on our side.

Winebabe on September 3, 2008 at 9:44 PM

How can Fox justify not covering these speeches?

Ronnie on September 3, 2008 at 9:42 PM

Screw ‘em. They’re dinosaurs that don’t know they’re facing eextinction. Won’t be long now.

techno_barbarian on September 3, 2008 at 9:44 PM

and giving Obama space tommorrow night!!!

jp on September 3, 2008 at 9:43 PM

Fortunately (if there’s any sunshine in this), B.O. said B.O. will just be on for a short time and the rest will be on next week.

Ronnie on September 3, 2008 at 9:45 PM

“Sarah Palin will not try to reinvent herself during this campaign”

Great line!

progressoverpeace on September 3, 2008 at 9:46 PM

What a magnificent speach by Huckabee! You guy’s blew it. He should have been the GOP nominee. You blew it. *sigh*

apacalyps on September 3, 2008 at 9:43 PM

No we did not. Huck was not meant for the Presidency or the Vice Presidency.

Get over it.

techno_barbarian on September 3, 2008 at 9:46 PM

We have a lesbian governor?

Who knew.

The Ugly American on September 3, 2008 at 9:46 PM

hey Jaws is on channel 3. cool!

custer on September 3, 2008 at 9:46 PM

Fox is quickly losing the base.
Enough of the missing white girls.

carbon_footprint on September 3, 2008 at 9:46 PM

You go Sarah. Knock it outta the park and make the Dems wring their hands in angst.

buckichick1 on September 3, 2008 at 9:47 PM

Sarah Palin is so tough that she cleans the house by picking it up and shaking out all the dirt.

carbon_footprint on September 3, 2008 at 9:47 PM

Dang this speaker is buzzkill after Huck. Let’s have us some RUDY!

Spirit of 1776 on September 3, 2008 at 9:47 PM

Drudge is saying that Palin’s speech will run 40 mins, twice what they said it would run. McCain’s team is playing things so close to the chest, and it is great. If it means twice the amount of what they released, this speech will be awesome.

Weight of Glory on September 3, 2008 at 9:47 PM

this Hawaii gov. is boooorrring

jp on September 3, 2008 at 9:47 PM

Serena wins first set against Venus…FYI. I’m flipping back and forth! Can’t help it.

SouthernGent on September 3, 2008 at 9:47 PM

Sad to say, C-NN and Fox are both ignoring Gov. Lingle’s speech.

Del Dolemonte on September 3, 2008 at 9:48 PM

Sarah Palin is so tough that she cleans the house by picking it up and shaking out all the dirt.

carbon_footprint on September 3, 2008 at 9:47 PM

Lol Awesome!

Weight of Glory on September 3, 2008 at 9:47 PM

Very cool.

Spirit of 1776 on September 3, 2008 at 9:48 PM

We have a lesbian governor?

Who knew.

The Ugly American on September 3, 2008 at 9:46 PM

Not that there’s anything wrong with that. ;)

techno_barbarian on September 3, 2008 at 9:48 PM

They could have done this with a video.

Ronnie on September 3, 2008 at 9:48 PM

how did this women get elected?

jp on September 3, 2008 at 9:48 PM

Why are they doing all the Sarah Palin stuff before Rudy? Rudy bumped?

SouthernGent on September 3, 2008 at 9:48 PM

Tonight the world will know.

carbon_footprint on September 3, 2008 at 9:48 PM

and giving Obama space tommorrow night!!!

jp on September 3, 2008 at 9:43 PM

I have a feeling that O’Reilly is going to be the only one with the opportunity to nail B Hussein down on many of the issues that we all want to see him respond to. Dennis Miller said this to Bill, and warned Bill that Obama will not be exposed to any real questioning after that – and I agree with Miller 100% and I got the feeling that OReilly did too. We’ll see how it goes. But I don’t think anyone even close to the right is going to get another chance like this to really corner BHO on much of anything.

progressoverpeace on September 3, 2008 at 9:49 PM

ZZZZZZZZZ

jencab on September 3, 2008 at 9:49 PM

“Sarah is a leader and a winner” — I like this speaker

Paul-Cincy on September 3, 2008 at 9:49 PM

Spirit of 1776 on September 3, 2008 at 9:48 PM

Thank you.

carbon_footprint on September 3, 2008 at 9:49 PM

Palin/Huckabee 2012 FTW!

econavenger on September 3, 2008 at 9:50 PM

Poor Bristol; her heart must be racing. Piper’s so cute.

Pasalubong on September 3, 2008 at 9:50 PM

Palin/Huckabee 2012 FTW!

econavenger on September 3, 2008 at 9:50 PM

The Thrill from Wasilla and the Pope of Hope?
: P

carbon_footprint on September 3, 2008 at 9:51 PM

how did this women get elected?

jp on September 3, 2008 at 9:48 PM

By spelling stuff correctly.

BadgerHawk on September 3, 2008 at 9:51 PM

So Thompson, Lieberman, Mitt, Huck….none get network exposure.

and Fox isn’t even showing Mitt and Huck speak

jp on September 3, 2008 at 9:39 PM

I wasnt aware of this… I choose not to have a TV… that coverage is pretty disturbing… I didnt think the MSM was that blatantly biased, but guess I was wrong. I’ve been watching a live feed from MSNBC, actually – it is uninterrupted, with no punditry. I’ll at least give MSNBC credit for that.

gxpgxp on September 3, 2008 at 9:51 PM

wait, is that Palin’s son that is going to the army, and who is the baby in the arms to the chick next to him?

jp on September 3, 2008 at 9:51 PM

Drudge is saying that Palin’s speech will run 40 mins, twice what they said it would run.

Weight of Glory on September 3, 2008 at 9:47 PM

5-minute speech and 35 minutes of standing ovation?

ReubenJCogburn on September 3, 2008 at 9:51 PM

Palin/Huckabee 2012 FTW!

econavenger on September 3, 2008 at 9:50 PM

Palin/Jindal or Palin/Steele 2012!

techno_barbarian on September 3, 2008 at 9:51 PM

its not Trig I don’t think

jp on September 3, 2008 at 9:52 PM

Yeah, that’s Palin’s son.

Pasalubong on September 3, 2008 at 9:52 PM

Pictures of Bristol do not do her justice. Anybody else watching Fox?

Micheal on September 3, 2008 at 9:52 PM

ZERO!

progressoverpeace on September 3, 2008 at 9:52 PM

how did this women get elected?

jp on September 3, 2008 at 9:48 PM

She was the 10th caller.

Ronnie on September 3, 2008 at 9:52 PM

Alaska girls kick ass like it is there job.
Sarah is getting ready to clock in and go to work!

custer on September 3, 2008 at 9:52 PM

SARAH SARAH SARAH SARAH

jencab on September 3, 2008 at 9:52 PM

Screw cable news. Never again.

Thank God for C-SPAN.

VolMagic on September 3, 2008 at 9:52 PM

Sarah Palin’s enemies are automatically added to the Endangered Species List – palinfacts.com

theguardianii on September 3, 2008 at 9:53 PM

Hopey and Changey,and same ol’Biden
are going to get a taste of SarahCuda!

With a 21st. Century style Anne Oakley!!!

canopfor on September 3, 2008 at 9:53 PM

Hannity: “Energy independence demands “all of the above”, including drilling.”

T.Bone Pickens: “They left out gas.”

Rovin: The “gas” was passed last week.

Rovin on September 3, 2008 at 9:53 PM

She woke me up! Not Chief executive of anything!

jencab on September 3, 2008 at 9:53 PM

Palin’s son has a girl sitting with him, and she is holding a baby. Maybe its Trig though? it has some hair?

jp on September 3, 2008 at 9:53 PM

0 0 0 0 0 0

theguardianii on September 3, 2008 at 9:53 PM

Did I just see the Obama O sign in the crowd? lolol
Zero Zero Zero

Ronnie on September 3, 2008 at 9:53 PM

techno_barbarian on September 3, 2008 at 9:51 PM

Palin/Steele would be a phenomenal ticket! Dear God I hope she doesn’t blow it in the next 4 years.

Harpazo on September 3, 2008 at 9:53 PM

how did this women get elected?

jp on September 3, 2008 at 9:48 PM

She opted for Governor over the set of steak knives?

carbon_footprint on September 3, 2008 at 9:53 PM

I’m liking the Lingle chick..sorry. Maybe I’m just a boring guy. I like facts, not platitudes.

SouthernGent on September 3, 2008 at 9:53 PM

I’d watch it, Governor Lingle.

Otherwise, you’ll be the next to end up on the cover of US magazine.

The Ugly American on September 3, 2008 at 9:54 PM

wait, maybe thats the middle daughter.

jp on September 3, 2008 at 9:54 PM

Think Huck is still swiping at Mitt when he talks about growing up rich?

Get over it Huck. We like Mitt better. Period.

IrishGirl17 on September 3, 2008 at 9:34 PM

Based strictly on speeches, Huck had the better one tonight. He’s got great delivery, and he had the crowd eating out of his hand.

I only wish he’d get over Mitt’s bank account. It’s beyond tiresome.

sulla on September 3, 2008 at 9:54 PM

You go, Linda Lingle!!

SouthernGent on September 3, 2008 at 9:54 PM

By spelling stuff correctly.

BadgerHawk on September 3, 2008 at 9:51 PM

Heh. “Keith, back to you!”

capitalist piglet on September 3, 2008 at 9:55 PM

There’s some nicely delivered meat there. Biden kinda sucks.

BadgerHawk on September 3, 2008 at 9:55 PM

H&C can have their show another night. Fox should be airing these speeches, no question. Bad move, FNC.

MikeknaJ on September 3, 2008 at 9:55 PM

She is doing ok…just setting up Rudy and Sarah.

WisCon on September 3, 2008 at 9:56 PM

Think Huck is still swiping at Mitt when he talks about growing up rich?

Get over it Huck. We like Mitt better. Period.

IrishGirl17 on September 3, 2008 at 9:34 PM

carbon_footprint on September 3, 2008 at 9:56 PM

levi and bristol up in the gallery with Cindy.

zane on September 3, 2008 at 9:56 PM

so is Rudy bumped? maybe b/c Nets didn’t cover tonight and they want his speech in primetime?

jp on September 3, 2008 at 9:56 PM

SouthernGent on September 3, 2008 at 9:53 PM

She did a very good interview with Neil Cavuto, today. I like her, too.

progressoverpeace on September 3, 2008 at 9:56 PM

Linda Lingle, you are great.

jencab on September 3, 2008 at 9:56 PM

Based strictly on speeches, Huck had the better one tonight. He’s got great delivery, and he had the crowd eating out of his hand.

I wish Huck had given Mitt’s speech. Though Huck’s laugh lines were great.

Spirit of 1776 on September 3, 2008 at 9:56 PM

she’s a slow start but i’m enthralled now

theguardianii on September 3, 2008 at 9:56 PM

Lingle is doing a great job.

carbon_footprint on September 3, 2008 at 9:57 PM

She’s getting much better.

Ronnie on September 3, 2008 at 9:57 PM

Spirit of 1776 on September 3, 2008 at 9:56 PM

Er, I don’t not put Mitt up there, I just mean Mitt’s was better on substance, Huck’s on style.

Spirit of 1776 on September 3, 2008 at 9:57 PM

There’s the First Dude~

carbon_footprint on September 3, 2008 at 9:57 PM

There’s the First Dude!

capitalist piglet on September 3, 2008 at 9:57 PM

Mitt was good. Huck was better. And gosh, Governor Lingle is doing great!

Loxodonta on September 3, 2008 at 9:57 PM

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