Palin’s Preview: Panache or Panic??
When Sarah Palin walks onto the stage at the Republican National Convention tonight, we conservatives and the rest of the country will get a very good read on whether her selection as McCain’s VP was a stroke of genius or a grasping at straws.
Obama doesn’t seem poised to run the table at this point. So any significant bounce the ticket gets is potentially a game changer.
I can’t wait to see the crowd’s reaction to Gov. Palin. If she gets a thunderous reception and her address is well received, with numerous applause lines, it looks very good ( barring any major gaffes from either McCain or Palin ) for a Republican win in the general election.
I am also predicting a crowd explosion when Mitt walks on stage. Megan Kelly of FOX NEWS said earlier today that when Mitt walked onto the convention floor, the crowd roared it’s approval. Get the kids, brew a fresh pot of coffee and get your favorite snacks and get ready to witness history.
~~John Cronin~~
September 3rd, 2008 at 7:04 pm
Mcbarbie won’t get any bounce.
You heard it here first.
September 3rd, 2008 at 7:32 pm
Will someone please post Romney’s speech when they get a chance? Afraid I missed pretty much the whole thing.
I’m sure it’s tough for him to get up there and vouch for Palin when he knows very well that there are a number of candidates out there far more prepared for a VP spot than her. I don’t have a problem with McCain picking a woman as VP, but I do have a problem with him choosing a far less qualified person in order to manipulate the woman vote. My wife supports Republican values but she is wondering (perhaps with millions of others) if McCain takes her for an idiot who will vote for Palin because she wears a skirt. I’m sure Palin will say some great things tonight but I doubt it will win over many Obama supporters.
McCain is making a huge gamble. It’s all or nothing. Come November he’s going to look like either a genius or a complete and utter idiot. Perhaps by then maybe even the evangelicals will be kicking themselves for wasting a vote on Huckabee instead of Romney. I doubt it, but wouldn’t it be nice?
September 3rd, 2008 at 7:44 pm
http://www.c-span.org/videoarchives.asp?CatCodePairs=,&ArchiveDays=100
September 3rd, 2008 at 8:21 pm
Jon. THAt’s exactly my problem as well. Unqualified. too much baggage and now, family responsiblities.
September 3rd, 2008 at 9:42 pm
Palin was great. You can sure tell she used to be on TV. No um and ahh’s.
I missed Mitts speech though. Sometimes its just not in the stars.
September 3rd, 2008 at 11:08 pm
I think Sarah Palin did an excellent job tonight. Of course Mitt did too… and Rudy… and I have to admit that even the Huckster wasn’t too bad. I really enjoyed the convention tonight.
September 3rd, 2008 at 11:18 pm
I’ll have to take your word for it with the Huckster Tami. I kept having to turn off the tv after a few seconds whenever I checked to see if he was still speaking. Caught the lame Madonna joke however.
Sarah, Mitt, and Rudy rocked the place though.
September 3rd, 2008 at 11:41 pm
Grrrr, I was just over reading some at Huck’s Army forum. I know I shouldn’t go there but I get bored and curious at times so I do LOL I get so mad that I feel like registering and giving them a piece of my mind.
They keep saying things like “they are so over Romney” but well, if they truly are, then why do they keep posting about him? They post articles about them and then write the meanest things about him.
One thread they’re talking about how Mitt doesn’t want a cabinet position and he said he’d have 27 year olds pushing him around (I’m paraphrasing) But then they don’t give the rest of what Mitt said to that….
That his dad was in Richard Nixon’s cabinet and he had nothing good to say about that and he doesn’t want to follow in his dad’s footsteps there. Sheesh!
Those Hucksters over there think Mitt said that because Huck said something similar *rolls eyes*
What is wrong with those people over there? Can’t they just lay off Mitt Romney for a while? I think I’ve watched far too much politics today.. I’m irritable LOL
September 4th, 2008 at 5:45 am
Here’s my take on the speeches tonight:
Romney had the best ideas and substantive detail (McCain’s campaign has co-opted all his best). His delivery was not as polished, and he struggled to connect at times, but all in all on ok performance.
Huckabee had the best one liners, but was not the most entertaining. He was polished and smooth for a populist hillbilly, and had no trouble connecting with the crowd. The undertone of his talk was “all about me” with obligatory genuflection to McCain. But in the end, he had nothing substantive to say (though he said it VERY well). It was a fun speech to listen to.
Guliani was the most entertaining of the evening, and gave an outstanding keynote speech. He hit on all cylinders, connected with the crowd, (slipped in a great 9/11 reference), and was very well received.
Palin also gave a great speech, and the Yahoo headline this morning summed it up well “Perfect Populist Pitch”. Those that underestimate her will be surprised. She strikes many of the same memes as Huckabee, just in a more genuine way, so clearly was a better choice in that regard. She was also a more comfortable speaker than Romney (though stiffer than Huckabee and Guliani), but the tone and message were starkly conservative, so she risks alienating the group McCain needs most to win over, the independent middle. She has a strong grasp of energy policy, but others would have been better to deal with the economy (though she understands kitchen table issues better than any of the rest).
It’s a gamble. McCain’s will be known as a political genius or a pandering fool. We’ll know in November.
September 4th, 2008 at 6:29 am
Wouldn’t it be great to know IF McCain actually anticipated a Left Wing over reaction? Maybe he thought they would come out swinging using low blows and that Palin would then come out and make them all look like fools!
I have to say that for a national political rookie, she vastly exceeded expectations. No wonder McCain chose her.
September 4th, 2008 at 7:50 am
Kris
McCain is no that smart. And I still FIRMLY belive this is a huge loser ticket. Sorry I can’t jump on the bandwagon. I’m less than impressed.
McCain chose her because he is an idiot and can’t make a decent decision. So many better qualified than Ms. Palin. So many with an story that won’t be shoved down my throat to tell ME her family is just like mine. it’s not. She’s not. No vote for me.
September 4th, 2008 at 7:52 am
I”m not being bitter. I’m being realistic. McCain’s mom said it best. Sit down, shut up and vote for my son.
Sorry,can’t do that Madame McCain. Your son shoots from the hip.
September 4th, 2008 at 9:05 am
Frozone, appreciate your take on last night’s speeches.
Transcript of Romney’s speech last night:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/03/AR2008090303559.html
Clip of Mitt’s speech last night:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/video/2008/09/03/VI2008090303567.html?sid=ST2008090304308
Mitt’s speech was superb. Comparing Mitt’s speech to Palin’s is comparing apples to oranges. Their speeches had different objectives. Both Palin and Romney outstandingly delivered.
September 4th, 2008 at 9:21 am
Transcript Of Noonan-Murphy-Gate
03 Sep 2008 06:00 pm
OK, not a gate. But there are Republicans in St, Paul who aren’t terribly comfortable with Gov. Palin’s pick, and despite Peggy Noonan’s column this morning, she appears to be one of them.
The full transcript:
Murphy: …because I come out of a blue swing-state governor world. Engler. Whitman. Tommy Thompson. Mitt Romney. Jeb Bush. And I mean, and these guys, this is all like how you win a Texas race, just run it up. And, IT’S NOT GOING TO WORK.
Noonan: IT’S OVER.
Murphy: Still, McCain can give a version of the Lieberman speech and do himself some good
Chuck Todd. [Unintelligible]… think the Palin pick is insulting to Kay Bailey Hutchinson?
Noonan: …saw Kay this morning.
Todd: [sounds like 'she's not comfortable talking about it????]
Murphy: They’re ALL bummed out
Todd: Is she really the most qualified woman?
Noonan: Most qualified? NO. I think they went for this, excuse me, political *&^%%% about narratives.
Todd: yeah, they went to narratives.
Murphy: I totally agree.
Noonan: Every time Republicans do this, because that’s not where they live, and that’s not what they’re good at, they blow it.
Murphy: You know what’s really the worst thing about it? The greatness of McCain is “no cynicism” and this is cynical.
Todd: And as you called it, “gimmicky”
September 4th, 2008 at 9:25 am
when noonan jumps - there might be a problem. She’s as die hard GOP as they come.
September 4th, 2008 at 11:11 am
See Mitt’s speech at NyforMitt:
http://nyformitt.blogspot.com/
Enjoy!!! Mitt was fabulous and it was so good to see Ann and two of his sons. The evening was a great success.
September 4th, 2008 at 12:27 pm
No sore loser, Mitt Romney delivers for John McCain
from BostonHeral.com:
http://news.bostonherald.com/news/2008/view.bg?articleid=1116885&format=comments#CommentsArea
[But while Romney did not nab a star speaking spot last night, Republicans from across the country said his GOP role will only grow.
“He’s clearly a major player in politics,” said Congressman Tom Cole (R-Okla.). “There’s no question he’s already been a great asset to Sen. McCain. He’s already been a great asset to the party.”
Romney has said he’s not interested in a Cabinet post in a McCain administration, but McCain’s campaign deputy chairman Frank Donatelli said, “He’s proven he is one of our leading Republicans, and we get requests for him to speak at events every day.”]
September 4th, 2008 at 12:29 pm
CHAT WOW NOW tonight during convention!
September 4th, 2008 at 12:55 pm
Rush Limbaugh is ga-ga over Palin. I don’t think I have ever heard him so sold on a candidate. He says she represents the true Republican base, not the back East country club Pubbies who are only interested in preserving the status quo.
He had high praise for Rudy’s speech, said he couldn’t stop laughing, praised Romney and Lingle, he loved the “zero, zero, zero” chant.
Rush said the Obama campaign knows it is in big trouble, but just not how big and that they have no clue how to respond except with the usual smear tactics.
In my view, the Left will suffer a huge backlash if they continue to go after Gov. Palin. When you insult Sarah, you insult the majority of women in general, hockey moms, working moms, moms with special needs children, family value moms and their husbands and there children and if that’s not a political loser, I don’t know what is!
September 4th, 2008 at 1:16 pm
Here is tonight’s convention schedule:
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2008
Check back soon for updates
The 2008 Republican National Convention today announced the full program of events for Thursday, Sept. 4. The evening’s program will feature John McCain’s speech accepting the Republican Party’s nomination for the presidency. Among the other speakers participating in this evening’s program are Gov. Tim Pawlenty (Minn.), former Gov. Tom Ridge (Penn.), U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham (S.C.) and Mrs. Cindy McCain. The speakers’ remarks will reflect the convention’s overall theme, “Country First,”and the theme for Thursday’s events, which is “peace.” Participants are organized by hour of participation:
5 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Entertainment (Music): Al Williams
Entertainment (Monologue): James McEachin
Call to Order, Introduction of Colors: Republican National Committee Chairman Robert M. “Mike” Duncan
Presentation of Colors: Fort Snelling Joint Services Color Guards
Pledge of Allegiance: Olympians Ryan Berube, Mitch Gaylord, Brittany Hayes, Barbra Higgins, Larsen Jensen, Elle Logan, Marcus McElhenney and John Naber
Singing of the National Anthem: Trace Adkins
Invocation: His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios
6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Speaker: U.S. Rep. Tom Cole (Okla.)
Speaker: Erik Paulsen
Speaker: Jay Love
Speaker: Charlie Summers
Speaker: Aaron Schock
Speaker: David Cappiello
Speaker: U.S. Sen. John Ensign (Nev.)
Video: “Country First: Peace,” with narration by Robert Duvall
Statement of Rule Regarding Vice Presidential Nomination; Recognition of Delegates Making Motions; and Adoption and Announcement of Nominee: U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell (Ky.)
Speaker: Maria Cino, President and CEO of the 2008 Republican National Convention
Speaker: U.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn (Tenn.)
Speaker: The Honorable Rosario Marin
7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Speaker: Joe Watkins
Speaker: U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez (Fla.)
Speaker: Gov. Tim Pawlenty (Minn.)
Speaker with Video: Former U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (Tenn.)
Speaker: Lt. Gen. Carol Mutter, USMC (Ret.)
Speaker: U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback (Kan.)
Speaker: U.S. Rep. Mary Fallin (Okla.)
Video: “World Stood Still”
8 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Speaker: U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham (S.C.)
Video: “Vice Presidential Nominee Governor Sarah Palin”
Speaker: Former Gov. Tom Ridge (Penn.)
Video: “America’s Place in the World”
Speaker: Mrs. Cindy McCain
9 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Video: “Senator John McCain”
Speaker: Presidential Nominee John McCain
10 p.m. to Conclusion
Floor Demonstration, Balloon Drop, McCain and Palin Families on Stage
Introduction of Presiding Officer: U.S. House Republican Leader John Boehner (Ohio)
Benediction: Pastor Dan Yeary
Introduction of Delegate for Motion, Adoption and Adjournment: U.S. House Republican Leader John Boehner (Ohio)
CHAT WOW NOW PARTY TONIGHT
September 4th, 2008 at 4:18 pm
NOONAN AND MURPHY BLAST PALIN
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrG8w4bb3kg
September 4th, 2008 at 5:48 pm
John, it’s not just the left that’s no on board with this. there are many (myself included) that really can’t see any redeeming value in this ticket. Sorry about my gut feelings, but I can’t pull the trigger for this. I did not totally trust McCain prior to this, and I certanily can’t trust him now. He has insulted me as a wife, and mother of special needs kids. (deaf kid, 3 with emotional issues). I also am insulted thebaby daddy was trooped out on stage. I had to turn it off, I was so insulted. My family is NOT like Palins. And i pray it never will be. KBH better woman choice. Snowe… so many others. But mccain picked the barbie.
September 4th, 2008 at 5:50 pm
2thepoint. Romney is being used. I wish he’d just tell them to take a hike. They made their beds, and they can lay in it. Romney made the commitment, and will carry it through. But somehow, I doubt he’s trilled to be there.
September 4th, 2008 at 6:22 pm
Chris, my wife and I too, are doubtful about who we will vote for in November (Don’t worry, Obama is completely out of the question). I have not forgotten McCain’s dirty tactics to win the nomination. He used Huckabee, Crist, and Guiliani to win. He used Pawlenty and Romney (and others) leading up to his VP pick and now he’s very masterfully using Sarah Palin to win the women vote. Like she (or Romney or anyone else who could have been chosen for VP) will really have any say in Washington-unless he keels over and dies while in office.
McCain has worked too long and too hard to get this far to allow anyone else to share the spotlight or rule the roost if he wins the White House. I’m convinced if he really was “Country First” he would know that his window of opportunity had passed. It will be highly unlikely at this point that I will be pulling the lever for McCain in November. Palin is pretty impressive but she’s not running for President. I’m a conservative first, not a Republican first, and McCain does not share my values.
September 4th, 2008 at 11:08 pm
Nader, Barr or Obama. Thems the choices of the known. McCain is the choice of the unknown.