The Republican Convention is over (thank all the powers that be). I watched various parts of the convention and speeches with interest. I was looking for answers to the SAME questions I had while watching the Democratic Convention. In fairness, I decided to list some of my thoughts as I watched the Republican Convention this week. There's been so much buzz around Sarah Palin and I would say that it's exactly what the McCain camp and Republicans wanted: A distraction.
I should preface all that I have to say herein with this:
1. I have never voted based on party lines - that is a blind vote.
2. I always read up on the candidates and vote for the one I feel most closely represents my views, regardless of party. I have voted for a republican representative in the same election that I've voted for a democratic one.
3. I consider myself to be moderately liberal-conservative (a bit of an oxymoron, I know).
4. As recently as a year ago, I was willing to throw all my support behind McCain because I believed he was willing and able to cross party lines. I have since seen a new side to McCain, and I DON'T like it. I have been especially disappointed by his demeanor and tactics and "plan."
5. As recently as five months ago, I knew little about Obama and decided I needed to read up on him and his plan. I was pleasantly surprised.
6. I watched both conventions looking for answers to SPECIFIC questions regarding each candidate's plan so I can compare them to my own thoughts and expectations.
7. Neither party is closer to Godliness than the other; neither has a corner on the market on morals, religious values, family values or prayer. And really, it's a moot point since both sides break with their morals and values with relative ease.
8. My choice has become clear (and is displayed proudly on this blog). Based on what I heard in the conventions and days leading up to them, and by reading articles in reputable news articles and the candidates own websites, I have found who I want to lead us into they kind of changes I can support.
9. Watching both conventions boosted the strength in my position.
Knowing all that, let's evaluate the Republican Convention, shall we?
Yup! Looks familiar! Garsh! That's because McCain's plan looks startlingly like President Bush's plan.
The last thing I want to say isn't about McCain or Obama. It's in reference to those fabulous radio and TV hosts who just love to contradict themselves in the most self righteous ways. It's shocking that a comedian has to make these comparisons, and really goes to prove that our media is NOT, in fact, as biased as republicans think or this would have been produced by them.
I should preface all that I have to say herein with this:
1. I have never voted based on party lines - that is a blind vote.
2. I always read up on the candidates and vote for the one I feel most closely represents my views, regardless of party. I have voted for a republican representative in the same election that I've voted for a democratic one.
3. I consider myself to be moderately liberal-conservative (a bit of an oxymoron, I know).
4. As recently as a year ago, I was willing to throw all my support behind McCain because I believed he was willing and able to cross party lines. I have since seen a new side to McCain, and I DON'T like it. I have been especially disappointed by his demeanor and tactics and "plan."
5. As recently as five months ago, I knew little about Obama and decided I needed to read up on him and his plan. I was pleasantly surprised.
6. I watched both conventions looking for answers to SPECIFIC questions regarding each candidate's plan so I can compare them to my own thoughts and expectations.
7. Neither party is closer to Godliness than the other; neither has a corner on the market on morals, religious values, family values or prayer. And really, it's a moot point since both sides break with their morals and values with relative ease.
8. My choice has become clear (and is displayed proudly on this blog). Based on what I heard in the conventions and days leading up to them, and by reading articles in reputable news articles and the candidates own websites, I have found who I want to lead us into they kind of changes I can support.
9. Watching both conventions boosted the strength in my position.
Knowing all that, let's evaluate the Republican Convention, shall we?
Tuesday, September 2
Speakers of interest:
Fred Thompson
Good Point: "we know that we live in the freest, strongest, most generous and prosperous nation in the history of the world and we're thankful for that."
Missed the Point: "Listening to them (the democrats), you'd think that we were in the middle of a Great Depression, that we're down, disrespected, incapable of prevailing against challenges that face us."
Final Impression: A lot of claims that McCain is great but no specific examples of that greatness in bi-partisanship.
A lot of dripping sarcasm and bully-like comments that were also unsubstantiated. Specifically the claim that Obama doesn't have enough experience (like you need to look further than Palin, but, let's do look further). Obama has 12 years under his belt in elected office - that's more than our current president had when he went into office...more than President Carter and President Lincoln each had. So let's not put that up as if it's the ONLY factor to consider.
Joe Lieberman:
blah! I didn't like this man when he was Al Gore's running mate.
I liked NOTHING about his speech. Frankly I was disappointed that Guiliani was moved to another day.
He reminds me of Ben Stein, "Bueller, Bueller, Bueller" - that's what he reminded me of when he was the DEMOCRATIC vice presidential candidate and nothing has changed.
If you are reviewing any of the speeches from the week, skip this one.
Wednesday, September 3
Speakers of interest:
Mitt Romney
Where to start...where to start.....wait, what?
I've met Mitt Romney. I liked him. He did a phenomenal job here in Utah with the budget issues and with his help, the 2002 Winter Olympics were a hit. Unlike most host cities, we came out ahead financially...He worked hard to make it a profitable Olympics.
Since that time, he's flip flopped on issues to gain votes and support. He hasn't stayed true to himself or any issue. During his run for governor he stood in one place on gun control and abortion...he flopped from that stance once he became a serious contender for the republican nomination.
His speech was full of rhetoric (not that it's any different than most politicians). He made a lot of points about lowering taxes and anti big government - but this comes on the heals of a president who has increased our country's debt significantly AND who increased the size of the government. One of the most serious contradictions throughout the convention was that no one seemed to agree where the mortgage crisis fits into the economy....some of the speakers acknowledged there is a crisis and others denied that people are losing their homes by the dozens.
Over all, if you didn't catch this speech, you aren't missing much. I was disappointed by his speech.
Rudy Giuliani
America's biggest and bestest and brightest shining star and he's called "America's mayor." I've seen him speak in person and was moved by his thoughts and stories. I like him as a person, he always seems so personable. He was the perfect person to put on before Sarah Palin.
Good points: "Every four years, we are told that this Presidential election is the most important election of our lifetime. This year - 2008 - IS the most important. This has already been historic. It is the longest Presidential campaign in history. And it sometimes felt even longer."
"'We the people' - the citizens of the United States - get to decide our next president...not the media, not Hollywood celebrities, not anyone else."
Missed Points: The classic "POW card" - similar to the"race card," it's meant to make the people feel guilty and that they owe John McCain the presidency...that he has earned it by being a POW. Sorry, but we don't owe you that. We heard the story from nearly EVERY speaker. Got it. Done. Let's get to something real.
What I liked the most: he was the only one to really talk about what John McCain wants to do. He was short of specifics, though, and that was disappointing. I also didn't like that suddenly the new slogan is "change" and "shake things up"....what? since when?
Over all, he gave a tremendously strong and powerful speech and it deserves the time to read it or listen to it. Of course, I don't agree with his points, but I like that he was more specific than all the previous speakers had been.
Sarah Palin
My assessment: she was the strongest speaker all week....she out shined John McCain and became his attack dog. Be careful that we don't make the same mistake as with President Bush and fight the veep rather than the man himself.
I like that she told her story.
Good Point: "I'm not going to Washington to seek their good opinion - I'm going to Washington to serve the people of this country. Americans expect us to go to Washington for the right reasons, and not just to mingle with the right people.
Politics isn't just a game of clashing parties and competing interests."
"No one expects us to agree on everything. But we are expected to govern with integrity, good will, clear convictions, and a servant's heart."
"I also drive myself to work. And I thought we could muddle through without the governor's personal chef - although I've got to admit that sometimes my kids sure miss her."
Missed Point: "And in short order we put the government of our state back on the side of the people."
Fact: She was able to lower property taxes because there had been a tax increase on groceries.
Fact: When she became mayor, her little town was 100% debt free. When she left office, the debt had increased by 33%.
Fact: She line-item vetoed a law that would have given financial assistance to single teen moms.
Fact: She line-item vetoed to cut funding to special education programs by nearly 40%
Fact: Even with all that, she has an 80% approval rating in her state (apparently it's dropped some insignificant amount in the last week). Her state likes her.
"While I was at it, I got rid of a few things in the governor's office that I didn't believe our citizens should have to pay for. That luxury jet was over the top. I put it on eBay." Great idea, but it didn't sell...In the end, I don't care about this one way or another, I just thought it was misleading.
Overall: This was an incredibly strong tongue lashing to the media and the democrats. If she wrote it, praises to her because it was incredible and powerful. And like I said, she out shined McCain by a long shot. I've read so much about her in the last week (good and bad), and she's frighteningly right wing...frankly she scares me to death. She hides her evil behind a pretty face and a lovely smile.
Last, but not least, regarding community organizers: as I read in one blog - "let us not forget, Jesus was a community organizer" (not that I'd EVER compare ANY politician, including my Obama, to my Savior...but I thought it was funny.)
Thursday, September 4
Speakers of interest:
Jon Huntsman spoke but I didn't read it or listen to it. I like him...he is our governor...I voted for him...and I think he's done a fine job here. BUT, I wasn't interested in his thoughts on McCain.
John McCain:
I went in, wanting to hear the specifics of his plan...the same questions I had for Obama. I was gravely disappointed. There was NOT one mention of a specific plan....lots of words like "shake things up" but I want to know HOW! In what way? Be specific!
"And let me offer an advance warning to the old, big spending, do nothing, me first, country second Washington crowd: change is coming." okay, tell me what you mean. You've been there for 26 years - TWENTY SIX YEARS!
Speakers of interest:
Fred Thompson
Good Point: "we know that we live in the freest, strongest, most generous and prosperous nation in the history of the world and we're thankful for that."Missed the Point: "Listening to them (the democrats), you'd think that we were in the middle of a Great Depression, that we're down, disrespected, incapable of prevailing against challenges that face us."
Final Impression: A lot of claims that McCain is great but no specific examples of that greatness in bi-partisanship.
A lot of dripping sarcasm and bully-like comments that were also unsubstantiated. Specifically the claim that Obama doesn't have enough experience (like you need to look further than Palin, but, let's do look further). Obama has 12 years under his belt in elected office - that's more than our current president had when he went into office...more than President Carter and President Lincoln each had. So let's not put that up as if it's the ONLY factor to consider.
Joe Lieberman:
blah! I didn't like this man when he was Al Gore's running mate.I liked NOTHING about his speech. Frankly I was disappointed that Guiliani was moved to another day.
He reminds me of Ben Stein, "Bueller, Bueller, Bueller" - that's what he reminded me of when he was the DEMOCRATIC vice presidential candidate and nothing has changed.
If you are reviewing any of the speeches from the week, skip this one.
Wednesday, September 3
Speakers of interest:
Mitt Romney
Where to start...where to start.....wait, what?I've met Mitt Romney. I liked him. He did a phenomenal job here in Utah with the budget issues and with his help, the 2002 Winter Olympics were a hit. Unlike most host cities, we came out ahead financially...He worked hard to make it a profitable Olympics.
Since that time, he's flip flopped on issues to gain votes and support. He hasn't stayed true to himself or any issue. During his run for governor he stood in one place on gun control and abortion...he flopped from that stance once he became a serious contender for the republican nomination.
His speech was full of rhetoric (not that it's any different than most politicians). He made a lot of points about lowering taxes and anti big government - but this comes on the heals of a president who has increased our country's debt significantly AND who increased the size of the government. One of the most serious contradictions throughout the convention was that no one seemed to agree where the mortgage crisis fits into the economy....some of the speakers acknowledged there is a crisis and others denied that people are losing their homes by the dozens.
Over all, if you didn't catch this speech, you aren't missing much. I was disappointed by his speech.
Rudy Giuliani
America's biggest and bestest and brightest shining star and he's called "America's mayor." I've seen him speak in person and was moved by his thoughts and stories. I like him as a person, he always seems so personable. He was the perfect person to put on before Sarah Palin.Good points: "Every four years, we are told that this Presidential election is the most important election of our lifetime. This year - 2008 - IS the most important. This has already been historic. It is the longest Presidential campaign in history. And it sometimes felt even longer."
"'We the people' - the citizens of the United States - get to decide our next president...not the media, not Hollywood celebrities, not anyone else."
Missed Points: The classic "POW card" - similar to the"race card," it's meant to make the people feel guilty and that they owe John McCain the presidency...that he has earned it by being a POW. Sorry, but we don't owe you that. We heard the story from nearly EVERY speaker. Got it. Done. Let's get to something real.
What I liked the most: he was the only one to really talk about what John McCain wants to do. He was short of specifics, though, and that was disappointing. I also didn't like that suddenly the new slogan is "change" and "shake things up"....what? since when?
Over all, he gave a tremendously strong and powerful speech and it deserves the time to read it or listen to it. Of course, I don't agree with his points, but I like that he was more specific than all the previous speakers had been.
Sarah Palin
My assessment: she was the strongest speaker all week....she out shined John McCain and became his attack dog. Be careful that we don't make the same mistake as with President Bush and fight the veep rather than the man himself.I like that she told her story.
Good Point: "I'm not going to Washington to seek their good opinion - I'm going to Washington to serve the people of this country. Americans expect us to go to Washington for the right reasons, and not just to mingle with the right people.
Politics isn't just a game of clashing parties and competing interests."
"No one expects us to agree on everything. But we are expected to govern with integrity, good will, clear convictions, and a servant's heart."
"I also drive myself to work. And I thought we could muddle through without the governor's personal chef - although I've got to admit that sometimes my kids sure miss her."
Missed Point: "And in short order we put the government of our state back on the side of the people."
Fact: She was able to lower property taxes because there had been a tax increase on groceries.
Fact: When she became mayor, her little town was 100% debt free. When she left office, the debt had increased by 33%.
Fact: She line-item vetoed a law that would have given financial assistance to single teen moms.
Fact: She line-item vetoed to cut funding to special education programs by nearly 40%
Fact: Even with all that, she has an 80% approval rating in her state (apparently it's dropped some insignificant amount in the last week). Her state likes her.
"While I was at it, I got rid of a few things in the governor's office that I didn't believe our citizens should have to pay for. That luxury jet was over the top. I put it on eBay." Great idea, but it didn't sell...In the end, I don't care about this one way or another, I just thought it was misleading.
Overall: This was an incredibly strong tongue lashing to the media and the democrats. If she wrote it, praises to her because it was incredible and powerful. And like I said, she out shined McCain by a long shot. I've read so much about her in the last week (good and bad), and she's frighteningly right wing...frankly she scares me to death. She hides her evil behind a pretty face and a lovely smile.
Last, but not least, regarding community organizers: as I read in one blog - "let us not forget, Jesus was a community organizer" (not that I'd EVER compare ANY politician, including my Obama, to my Savior...but I thought it was funny.)
Thursday, September 4
Speakers of interest:
Jon Huntsman spoke but I didn't read it or listen to it. I like him...he is our governor...I voted for him...and I think he's done a fine job here. BUT, I wasn't interested in his thoughts on McCain.
John McCain:
I went in, wanting to hear the specifics of his plan...the same questions I had for Obama. I was gravely disappointed. There was NOT one mention of a specific plan....lots of words like "shake things up" but I want to know HOW! In what way? Be specific!"And let me offer an advance warning to the old, big spending, do nothing, me first, country second Washington crowd: change is coming." okay, tell me what you mean. You've been there for 26 years - TWENTY SIX YEARS!
POW or not, you are now part of the very essence of what you pretend to condemn.
"We need to change the way government does almost everything: from the way we protect our security to the way we compete in the world economy; from the way we respond to disasters to the way we fuel our transportation network; from the way we train our workers to the way we educate our children. ... We have to catch up to history, and we have to change the way we do business in Washington"
"We need to change the way government does almost everything: from the way we protect our security to the way we compete in the world economy; from the way we respond to disasters to the way we fuel our transportation network; from the way we train our workers to the way we educate our children. ... We have to catch up to history, and we have to change the way we do business in Washington"
What? What have you been doing with President Bush for the last eight years? Oh, I know, I know: supporting him on nearly every move he makes and NOW you want to play maverick and change your mind? And again I ask, where are your specifics?
And the last thing I want to say about this is: I sure am tired of that POW card...It's not that I don't think he was tortured or that he suffered tremendously because he's an American. I know that I would not be able to endure it and I am grateful for the military who stands tall to help defend our great nation....BUT, enough! We've heard it. We've been on the guilt trip before; with ever speaker, in fact. Let's move on.
Give me credit! Don't tell me to look at your character. I have. And I don't like it...multiple affairs? The republicans condemned John Kerry four years ago because he married an heiress and signed a prenup? Sound familiar? It's EXACTLY John McCain's story, so where's the liberal media on that?
Let's take a look at the difference in the tax plans of Obama and McCain:
(this was in the Washington Post)
And the last thing I want to say about this is: I sure am tired of that POW card...It's not that I don't think he was tortured or that he suffered tremendously because he's an American. I know that I would not be able to endure it and I am grateful for the military who stands tall to help defend our great nation....BUT, enough! We've heard it. We've been on the guilt trip before; with ever speaker, in fact. Let's move on.
Give me credit! Don't tell me to look at your character. I have. And I don't like it...multiple affairs? The republicans condemned John Kerry four years ago because he married an heiress and signed a prenup? Sound familiar? It's EXACTLY John McCain's story, so where's the liberal media on that?
Let's take a look at the difference in the tax plans of Obama and McCain:
(this was in the Washington Post)
This is something real! Tangible! Our future!
Yup! Looks familiar! Garsh! That's because McCain's plan looks startlingly like President Bush's plan.The last thing I want to say isn't about McCain or Obama. It's in reference to those fabulous radio and TV hosts who just love to contradict themselves in the most self righteous ways. It's shocking that a comedian has to make these comparisons, and really goes to prove that our media is NOT, in fact, as biased as republicans think or this would have been produced by them.
You know, there is so much untrustworthiness about Palin - she's scary and she grossly misrepresents herself. I know it's not her lone corner on the market. I'm sure I will join the chorus of other bloggers in the next few weeks as we all join in against her and McCain....and I still say it: Can't wait for the debates! I hope Obama and Biden fight - fight fair but fight hard.
1 comment:
Impressive write-up. I thought that Guiliani's speech was the best one of the week, and I also thought Palin did a nice job using humor in her speech.
The Daily Show video is the best, though.
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