Live Blogging McCain And The RNC–UPDATED

You’re getting used to this aren’t you? Well, don’t. Dang, I’m tired. My hits are slowing a bit because Google and the guys (probably girls, too) searching have ostensibly figured out that there aren’t naked pictures of Sarah Palin here, or anywhere. Believe me, when they show up, they will be here with bells on.

8:06 PM Lindsey Graham

…. is boring. His hair part has me distracted. We won in Iraq. Boring delivery. Boring. Boring. Boring. “I’m not saying that Barack Obama doesn’t care, I’m saying he doesn’t get it.”

Instead of talking about him, let’s talk about music. Since you guys think I need an education about country music, let’s get started here and now. What music should be playing at the convention, because my opinion is that has been terrible. Tonight, they were playing music from Top Gun, Fall in to the Danger Zone. What the heck?

8:15 PM Tom Ridge

So I take it that tonight is boring night. No Rudy. No Mitt (although he was kinda boring). I’m also thinking that it was a good thing that none of these guys were chosen for VP. Whew.

8:18 PM Not a lot of claps for much of anything. I hope McCain himself is less boring than his buddies because good grief, this is painful. I find me distracted by Tom Ridge’s orange looking make-up.

Maybe the strategy is to pick the most boring speakers so that McCain looks like a firebrand. That shouldn’t be too tough, at this point. Phew. And evidently, during the commercial there was a great video of Sarah Palin and it brought the house down, but we missed it. Stink. Waiting for YouTube. Is it there yet?

8:25 PM Video about Cindy

MA in Special Ed–She’s first person in her family to get degree.

Had her kids. Organized American Medical Team. Now her work overseas. It’s weird. What about her mom? There’s all this talk about her dad. Her father is her inspiration. “John McCain helped her find her path, but it is Cindy McCain who accomplishes life-changing things around the world. Her father told her to leave the world a better place than it started. That was a weird video.”

Now Cindy!

Now introducing America to seven kids. She looks glamorous. Long, flowing blond hair and a teal suit. She looks soft. Her eyes sparkly bright. “This campaign is not about us, it’s about our exceptional country.” She strikes me as somewhat like Laura Bush, in being shy. And it looks like they’re having trouble with the teleprompter again.

If nothing else, the speakers tonight have demonstrated how remarkable Sarah Palin was last night. It is no easy thing to give a speech like this.

“I hit a home run in John McCain” Huh. I’ll let that go. He’s a good father. His example of honesty and honor. “John showers us with unconditional love and support, that every family dreams of.” I think McCain demonstrated a sense of this commitment with the Palins. Speaking of…..Palin is getting the biggest cheers.

She’ll be a great First Lady.

McCain Video

“John McCain abhors waste.” “He has seen too much, to think petty. Country first.” When you’ve lived in a box….Fred Thompson narrating.

Here’s John McCain:

Gold tie. Dark gray suit. Looks good. Crowd is wild. McCain is standing on the end of a runway and looks like he’s right in among the people. He looks presidential. Ann Althouse is right, though, wow, women have an advantage with HDTV because of make-up. It’s hard for these guys to look “natural”.

He accepts with gratitude, humility and confidence.

Why kelly green behind him? “She’s more my inspiration, than I am hers.” “I know that she will make a great first lady.”

9:22 CST Now the crowd is getting into it. “We’re going to win this election.” Another Code Pink lady causing a fuss. And now everyone chanting “USA”! “Don’t be diverted by the ground noise and the static” he says laughing. The crowd is going crazy. “Americans want us to stop yelling at each other, okay?” Off script, he’s better. More interruptions.

“I’ll stand on your side and fight for your future. And I’ve found just the right partner to help shake up Washington, DC, Governor Sarah Palin of Alaska.” Huge cheers. “And I want to thank everyone here and all around America for giving her such a warm welcome last night.” Now he’s listing her accomplishments. John McCain is very glad he picked her for running mate, I think. “I’m very proud to introduce her to the country, but I can’t wait to introduce her to Washington.” “Let me just warn ….change is coming.”

9:31 PM “You will know their names. I will use my veto.” He better do this. Earmarks and pork have killed the Republican brand.

Sorry folks, sick as a dog. I’ll give some wrap-up comments. I did continue to watch and listen.

Best line: I wasn’t my own man anymore, I was my country’s.

Second best line: 10:42: Education is the civil rights issue of this century.

He is right. Americans need choice. And I hope they follow through on this. The teachers unions won’t be too happy right about now. However, as some commenters mention, education is a state issue. Hmmmm… We’ll see.

Overall, it seems to me that he’s trying to frame himself as a reformer who transcends party and who will fight for the average American. He didn’t mention experience, but he didn’t have to. His life story is a testament to experience. He grew up in solitary in Hanoi. He learned to put country first and not self first. I feel like the implication there is that Obama is still a young man; still out for himself. Also, experience probably focus-groups as “old”. So, no need to stress that. Ma McCain at 96 looks pretty dang good and that’s a reminder too, that John McCain isn’t THAT old.

Barracuda by Rush Heart [Side note: Already Heart is protesting the use of the song. Newsflash, liberal boneheads. Your song will make more money in the next couple of months, and hopefully eight years, than you ever made the first time around. Be grateful. Your sorry has-been asses will actually be looked at again. But it isn't about the money. It's the art. Puhleeeze. This is all about being the cool kids in a playground that's as isolated and pretentious as everything you musicians rail against. So. Lame.] playing as the balloons drop. Nice. A note about Todd Palin. He has done a great job of being manly while deferring to his wife. She has done a great job appearing maternal and tough. Such interesting visual juxtapositions. It’s a fascinating sidelight and will be what captures the press’ attention.

John McCain is not a natural at these staid events and ended with strength and energy. How do you compare a man of his depth and breadth with Barack Obama? There is no comparison. On personality and charisma, though, Obama wins. The work across the aisle stuff grated on my nerves, but then I’m more conservative and libertarian. He’s a legislator. I generally get irritable with more laws and especially more liberal laws. McCain wasn’t talking to me, though. He was talking to swing voters who like the squishy talk. I hope it works.

Ultimately, his character and experience can’t be questioned. He’s softened some of his stances and met the base on a few like energy, thankfully. He’s not my favorite candidate. But the cast of characters all bothered me for one reason or another. So, faith in providence. Divine providence. There’s no question, to my mind, he’s the best man for the job. This speech did enough, I think, to put him on solid ground.

Posted in Political Animals
Tags: Election 08 • McCain • Republicans