Republican convention, night four: Some guy to speak, denying us a double dip of Palinmania; Update: Or will he?
posted at 7:32 pm on September 4, 2008 by Allahpundit
The line-up’s noticeably weaker than last night’s, consisting mainly of the host governor plus McCain’s inner circle/cronies: Mel Martinez and Pawlenty in the eight o’clock hour, Grahamnesty and Ridge at nine, then Maverick at 10. Totally disinterested after last night’s blowout? Don’t be. Remember, something like 70 percent of the public says the VP choice is irrelevant. If there are votes to be swung, tonight’s speech may well do more to swing them than Palin’s did.
If you missed Ed’s post about the contrast with Obama’s speech that they’re trying to draw through the staging, here it is. “There will be no negativity,” says Mark Salter, apparently not taking Limbaugh’s advice to have McCain come out and say, “I’m looking forward to working with Democrats in November — those that are left, anyway.” (Follow the link for video of that during his appearance on Neil Cavuto today.) Instead, they’re going to emphasize … change. Exit quotation from Spengler’s cynical optimism about McCain’s chances:
Obama will spend the rest of his life wondering why he rejected the obvious road to victory, that is, choosing Hillary Clinton as his vice presidential nominee. However reluctantly, Clinton would have had to accept. McCain’s choice of vice presidential candidate made obvious after the fact what the party professionals felt in their fingertips at the stadium extravaganza yesterday: rejecting Clinton in favor of the colorless, unpopular, tangle-tongued Washington perennial Joe Biden was a statement of weakness. McCain’s selection was a statement of strength. America’s voters will forgive many things in a politician, including sexual misconduct, but they will not forgive weakness.
That is why McCain will win in November, and by a landslide, barring some unforeseen event. Obama is the most talented and persuasive politician of his generation, the intellectual superior of all his competitors, but a fatally insecure personality. American voters are not intellectual, but they are shrewd, like animals. They can smell insecurity, and the convention stank of it. Obama’s prospective defeat is entirely of its own making.
Update (Ed): We may indeed get a second dose of Palinmania, although indirectly. Word is that the GOP will play the bio video that got scratched last night when Rudy Giuliani’s speech ran too long.
Blowback
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Goldberg’s a great writer, but he goes on those NR Alaskan cruises. So he’d naturally be bored with things Alaskan.
BuckeyeSam on September 4, 2008 at 9:07 PM
I confess I hated the Palin biography video too, and can count the number of speeches I’ve liked on the fingers of one hand (still waiting to give the thumb something to do).
sulla on September 4, 2008 at 9:07 PM
Omg, Lindsey Graham is horrible.
p0s3r on September 4, 2008 at 9:08 PM
No he wont you gringo. He has been told to be muy silencioso on that until after the election. Then he will let all you bigots have it in la boca again extra buena.
NoBordersJose on September 4, 2008 at 9:08 PM
Give it up, Mikey. You’ve been outed. Take your place with Peggy.
ManlyRash on September 4, 2008 at 9:08 PM
To bad he can’t sneak him into the ‘back of the book’ section and play 30 seconds of obama going ‘ah, umm… ah .. ah.. umm…” and then cut him off with O’Reilly saying, ‘and then he kept going blah blah blah, and oops! out of time, senator, thanks for stopping by!’ and next on the factor, viewer email!!’
wise_man on September 4, 2008 at 9:08 PM
Sorry CanadianGuy, I caught it in real time on CSPAN.
carbon_footprint on September 4, 2008 at 9:08 PM
Is Lindsey Graham drunk?
bridgetown on September 4, 2008 at 9:09 PM
We should all be grateful, ladies and gentlemen, that Graham isn’t the VP nominee.
BacaDog on September 4, 2008 at 9:09 PM
Everybody looks horrible after Palin
CanadianGuy on September 4, 2008 at 9:09 PM
If he only would,
wise_man on September 4, 2008 at 9:09 PM
Got any Kool-Aid left in your cup?
Blackacre on September 4, 2008 at 9:09 PM
Ditto. And the interview is a yawner. Nice Graham line, using Obama’s “doesn’t care, doesn’t get it.” Except with Graham, it was “git” rather than “get.” In this case, his accent was effective. I prefer the grovely southern accent of Fred Thompson.
BuckeyeSam on September 4, 2008 at 9:09 PM
Not this VP choice.
Utter nonsense. The number of “swing votes” are irrelevant compared to Palin’s invigoration of the base which is where eighty to ninety percent of McCain’s votes will come from. Palin is the star of this show… not McCain.
Maxx on September 4, 2008 at 9:09 PM
Graham is a fudge packer.
Valiant on September 4, 2008 at 9:09 PM
Giventhe post of yours that followed, you would.
ManlyRash on September 4, 2008 at 9:09 PM
The only way Graham could turn this speech around is if he started talking about Palin.
p0s3r on September 4, 2008 at 9:10 PM
Jonah is WRONG. That is greatness. Pictures of America interspersed with shots of the flag. That’s been spectacular. It shows shots of America unified by the flag. Jonah – fail.
You are becoming a parody of yourself. Read this very post to find criticism. Seriously, talk about googles, some people are wearing blinders.
Spirit of 1776 on September 4, 2008 at 9:10 PM
I would rather be drunk on Sarah than sober on Pawlenty.
carbon_footprint on September 4, 2008 at 9:10 PM
Yippee-ki-yay!
dugan on September 4, 2008 at 9:10 PM
Graham couldn’t even get applause invoking the name of Sarah Palin!
Valiant on September 4, 2008 at 9:11 PM
True dat, Wise Man.
ManlyRash on September 4, 2008 at 9:11 PM
Yeah, that is pretty tacky. Did he have McCain on during Obama’s big night?
I stopped watching O’Reilly during the 2004 campaign when I felt he smeared the Swift Boat Veterans and haven’t watched him since. I believe he simply straddles the middle on every issue for the sake of ratings, instead of actually taking a stand on an issue for the sake of principle.
Michael in MI on September 4, 2008 at 9:11 PM
Buy that man a drink…and a filly cheese steak.
ManlyRash on September 4, 2008 at 9:12 PM
They better not make her cut her hair, or get contact lenses!
gxpgxp on September 4, 2008 at 9:13 PM
he’s a douchebag…and his political days are numbered.
ManlyRash on September 4, 2008 at 9:13 PM
The Palin video was probably hard to make because there just aren’t many high-quality moving image clips of Palin. Not until recently.
RBMN on September 4, 2008 at 9:13 PM
It’s all relative.
I’ve loved Palin’s, Thompson’s, Giuliani’s, and Bush’s. I liked Romney, Huckabee, and Graham. The rest have ranged from meh to feh.
But that’s just my take.
sulla on September 4, 2008 at 9:13 PM
Why must he take a stand?
I think his job is about getting others to explain their stances. I think he does a good job of it.
bridgetown on September 4, 2008 at 9:14 PM
Trivia: the Voice narrating the Palin video is Hector Elizondo–currently, Dr. Neven Bell on USA’s Monk. He was the chief of staff on Chicago Hope.
BuckeyeSam on September 4, 2008 at 9:14 PM
I really hate that expression.
Connie on September 4, 2008 at 9:15 PM
Standing ovation after the Sarah bio at the convention.
All drunk on Sarah, I suppose.
carbon_footprint on September 4, 2008 at 9:15 PM
Uh huh.
ManlyRash on September 4, 2008 at 9:15 PM
It is officially RINO night to culminate with McCain.
Valiant on September 4, 2008 at 9:15 PM
Ugh…Why can’t these people memorize their speeches?
This teleprompter world is so annoying.
bridgetown on September 4, 2008 at 9:15 PM
Very true.
Maxx on September 4, 2008 at 9:16 PM
Thanks for sharing. We all really wanted to know when you stopped watching him. It so very important to us!/
wise_man on September 4, 2008 at 9:16 PM
She may be the star of the campaign, but McCain will still be President of the United States. I wonder if that is the strategy: make people forget they are voting for McCain and make them think they are voting for Palin. Then, when McCain is President, we get all the Maverickiness from his Administration that conservatives have despised for the last 8 years.
Unfortunately, people don’t seem to think about how McCain is simply using Palin to become President. But if his Administration continues to sour the American public on the GOP brand (as they have already become sour over 8 years of President Bush and the Congressional GOP), then the GOP won’t stand a chance in 2012 or 2016.
Just something to keep in mind. A McCain-Palin Administration has to turn around the public’s perception of the GOP, otherwise Palin will be tainted by her stay in a McCain Administration, just as all Bush Administration people are tainted by being associated with his Administration.
Michael in MI on September 4, 2008 at 9:16 PM
It’s a wasted argument. Crazy.
Hi, I am unhappy with the level of depression the base has.
Hi, I am unhappy with the level of enthusiasm the base has.
Spirit of 1776 on September 4, 2008 at 9:16 PM
Talk about leading the witness!!!!!!!!!!!!..He was so busy pumping himself up that he spoke more than NObama!
Domino on September 4, 2008 at 9:16 PM
Drudge already has a post up that summarizes McCains speech tonight. WTF?
http://apnews.myway.com/article/20080905/D9307OIO0.html
winemkr on September 4, 2008 at 9:17 PM
I wonder if he is a friend of Abe.
ManlyRash on September 4, 2008 at 9:17 PM
Er, that would be Philly as in the city in PA (not Scranton!), Filly is a horse, mare or sumthin’
: P
carbon_footprint on September 4, 2008 at 9:17 PM
Are the Obamanauts going ahead with their plans for their Rapture?
pedestrian on September 4, 2008 at 9:17 PM
Is it too late to flip the ticket slots?
RBMN on September 4, 2008 at 9:17 PM
Good Lord. Who’s gonna fire the crowd up before McCain comes on? Jeez. Half the country will be asleep from boredom if these guys don’t pick it up.
Can Rudy give two speeches?
BacaDog on September 4, 2008 at 9:18 PM
Why are you even watching if you hate him so much. Do as Michael in MI does, and tell the world that you stopped watching McCain in 2008 because he’s such a doodie-head.
wise_man on September 4, 2008 at 9:18 PM
Yeah, yeah. Blah, blah. Whatever.
*makes yakking sign with hand*
ManlyRash on September 4, 2008 at 9:18 PM
Good F*king Lord you are the anti- energizer bunny. Do you ever shut the F* up?????
wise_man on September 4, 2008 at 9:19 PM
We need to get together over a few beers.
ManlyRash on September 4, 2008 at 9:20 PM
Maybe we’ll get a Sarah’Cuda curtain call.
BuckeyeSam on September 4, 2008 at 9:20 PM
If you don’t like surprises–good surprises, bad surprises–you’ll never love McCain. I kinda like surprises, within limits.
RBMN on September 4, 2008 at 9:20 PM
He is this time! I teared up and I’m a tough cookie.
Domino on September 4, 2008 at 9:20 PM
His wife’s supposed to speak. Has she? She might be good.
BuckeyeSam on September 4, 2008 at 9:21 PM
Tonight, it’s the parade of McCain’s closest friends that’s giving me a little indigestion.
RBMN on September 4, 2008 at 9:21 PM
I know, I’m in Texas. Stop by sometime.
carbon_footprint on September 4, 2008 at 9:21 PM
You aren’t alone.
Spirit of 1776 on September 4, 2008 at 9:21 PM
Good point. I guess it’s a matter of the format of his show. I guess I prefer shows such as Rush Limbaugh moreso, because he is not out to impress anyone or get people to explain their stances. He is all about explaining his stance (conservatism), why it’s correct and why people should agree with him.
I really think shows like Hannity and Colmes, Bill O’Reilly, Hardball, Keith Olbermann have been very bad for political discussion in this country. I prefer to debate issues and spend more than 5 minutes on the details and provide more than just surface details. That’s why I don’t watch cable or TV news and instead spend my time on blogs researching all the details, instead of just getting whatever details or talking points these pundits can fit into their 5-10 minute segments on issues.
I also like Glenn Beck on CNN. I like how he (1) spends a lot of time on issues and (2) takes a stand on the issues he discusses.
But you’re right that O’Reilly does seem to do a decent job of getting people on his show to express their opinions and stances on issues. Straddling the fence maybe gives him the credibility with people of different political ideologies and makes them more comfortable coming on his show, whereas the same people would not go on the show of an ideologue like Hannity or Rush or Beck.
Michael in MI on September 4, 2008 at 9:22 PM
Hey, I said “culminate”. He’s coming out to say he’s drilling in ANWR and enforcing the border. That is why I’m watching- the audacity of hope.
Valiant on September 4, 2008 at 9:22 PM
She’s going to introduce him I think. She’s spoken 2x shortly this week, but she needs some primetime air time especially since the favorable of MO were higher post DNC then CM. CM is classier, imho, so she needs to have those numbers at or above same level.
Spirit of 1776 on September 4, 2008 at 9:23 PM
Not loving Ridge’s delivery, but the content is excellent.
sulla on September 4, 2008 at 9:23 PM
Michael in MI on September 4, 2008 at 9:16 PM
All valid concerns. My hope is that Palin will have some influence with McCain and maybe keep him more attuned to the wants of the base. Yeah…. I know … fat chance. Yet its the best we can hope for. Obama is not an option.
Maxx on September 4, 2008 at 9:23 PM
I am sporting a woody. Graham and Ridge have me so fired up,
Valiant on September 4, 2008 at 9:23 PM
Michael in MI on September 4, 2008 at 9:24 PM
All, right, I’m sorry. Still at work until I get this project done and then I can go home. Spending time here is just making it longer. Trying not to be so clingy and bitter. Sorry Valiant.
wise_man on September 4, 2008 at 9:24 PM
What people don’t understand is that Reagan won’t have any influence on the Republican party. Stop getting excited about Reagan.
Spirit of 1776 on September 4, 2008 at 9:25 PM
Michael in MI on September 4, 2008 at 9:22 PM
I hear what you’re saying. I enjoy Beck and Rush as well….but sometimes you gotta come out of the bubble and hear differing views….keeps things interesting anyway.
bridgetown on September 4, 2008 at 9:25 PM
http://michellemalkin.com/2008/09/04/and-still-more-whining-from-camp-obama/
Michelle Malkin has a great picture graphic that she uses when she has for entries about Obama’s whining.
BuckeyeSam on September 4, 2008 at 9:25 PM
I’m guessing they didnt want any of the speakers to upstage McCain tonight.. because all the speeches so far are so boring.. I hope people will applause for McCain at least.
justinok on September 4, 2008 at 9:25 PM
I love you, man. We want the same thing for this country.
Valiant on September 4, 2008 at 9:25 PM
ANWR as seen by each party.
carbon_footprint on September 4, 2008 at 9:25 PM
Palin is young, articulate, smooth as silk and sly as an arctic fox. A polished outsider hell bent on taking on the beltway insiders. I don’t know how others feel but I quit looking at her as a VP choice about five minutes into her speech last night. She’s the real deal.
When the VP choice has all the long awaited for characteristics of a strong Republican presidential candidate, that 70% statistic flies out the window.
Relevant choice? You Betcha.
fogw on September 4, 2008 at 9:26 PM
Should have staggered the RINO speakers.
Elric66 on September 4, 2008 at 9:26 PM
Dang. Not exactly driving distance. Someday, perhaps.
ManlyRash on September 4, 2008 at 9:27 PM
Sheesh. Such a good friend. I would like to have seen him speak from the heart. And not struggling with the teleprompter.
bridgetown on September 4, 2008 at 9:27 PM
Exactly right. Has Pawlenty been up yet? Time to induce the coma.
Valiant on September 4, 2008 at 9:27 PM
Oh noes! van halan is going to effin sue again!
carbon_footprint on September 4, 2008 at 9:28 PM
I would have that hope as well, except for the fact that people have told me since McCain won the nomination that his best quality is that he is principled and doesn’t just change his mind for political reasons. Therefore, I wouldn’t expect him to be influenced by Palin, since he hasn’t been influenced by the electorate which supports immigration enforcement and a fence. He also has won despite highly influential and popular people such as Rush Limbaugh, Michelle Malkin, Laura Ingrahm and the rest of talk radio being against him the last 8 years and in the Primaries.
For all on which I disagree with him, I’ll give him credit for being a stubborn, principled SOB. But, because of that quality, I have no hope that Palin will do anything to influence him on policies. He didn’t dump Juan Hernandez or La Raza over cries from the base and how bad it made him look, I don’t expect him to change policies now just because of Palin.
Michael in MI on September 4, 2008 at 9:28 PM
Cindy McCain is on next and she’ll be introducing the Maverick.
BacaDog on September 4, 2008 at 9:29 PM
You just supplied the context for the moniker. God bless you.
SARAH’CUDA…THE ARCTIC FOX.
ManlyRash on September 4, 2008 at 9:29 PM
When Obama & McCain are at the top of the ticket…..Me and many, most..wait ALL of my friends and family were anxiously waiting to find out who the VP’s were going to be.
It’s more relevant this year, I think.
Palin proves that.
bridgetown on September 4, 2008 at 9:29 PM
Absolutely.
Valiant on September 4, 2008 at 9:29 PM
yes.
sulla on September 4, 2008 at 9:29 PM
“If man were meant to fly, he’d have wings.”
Get off the track, doofus…the train is approaching.
ManlyRash on September 4, 2008 at 9:31 PM
I don’t differ very much from O’Reilly’s views on most things. I just like people who take a principled stand instead of giving moral equivalence to all sides of a debate. Sometimes, the ‘other side’ is simply wrong, not just ‘the other side’. It’s like saying that Code Pink or Iraq Veterans Against the War are in the same league as Vets for Freedom. It’s simply not true. But I got the sense that he was doing that with too many issues and it turned me off to his show and schtick, that’s all.
Michael in MI on September 4, 2008 at 9:31 PM
SARAH PALIN knows who she is.
Qui pro innocente dicit, satis est eloquens.
He who speaks for the innocent is eloquent enough.
Publius Syrus
Omnia vincit amor.
Love conquers all.
Vergil
Nosce te ipsum! Know thyself.
For all of his autobiographies, Obama has yet to admit himself who he is, Mr. Malleable.
maverick muse on September 4, 2008 at 9:31 PM
Wow. Cindy McCain has quite a resume. I didn’t know half of the story.
BacaDog on September 4, 2008 at 9:33 PM
I’m tearing up.
CanadianGuy on September 4, 2008 at 9:34 PM
Giants 16, Skinss 7.
6 minutes to go. Looks like the game won’t collide with McCain’s speech.
Valiant on September 4, 2008 at 9:34 PM
Cindy McCain was a community organizer like Barack.
Obama for First Lady?
econavenger on September 4, 2008 at 9:35 PM
Excellent video of Cindy McCain.
sulla on September 4, 2008 at 9:35 PM
Did anyone have any idea just how great Cindy was before this election? Amazing.
carbon_footprint on September 4, 2008 at 9:35 PM
I didn’t know much about Cindy McCain either. What a woman! McCain has great taste in women. :)
bridgetown on September 4, 2008 at 9:35 PM
OMFG! They showed some Sarah!
carbon_footprint on September 4, 2008 at 9:35 PM
Great history never knew half of that
flyboy777 on September 4, 2008 at 9:36 PM
That video bio stands in stark contrast to what the Dems gave us for bios of the Obamas.
James on September 4, 2008 at 9:36 PM
Cindy is a very beautiful lady, inside and out.
Michelle……well…-hey Cindy’s talking now.
carbon_footprint on September 4, 2008 at 9:36 PM
thanks media for letting me know everything about Michelle and none of this about Cindy.
CanadianGuy on September 4, 2008 at 9:36 PM
I was not aware of all that Mrs. McCain has done. You know what? She has done more for people all over the world, than that little “community organizer” has done in Chicago. It’s amazing, John McCain, Sarah Palin, and Cindy McCain have all made Obama look very, very small.
Weight of Glory on September 4, 2008 at 9:36 PM
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