Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Convention Day 2: Fred On Fire; Joe Is Effective, Susan Estrich On Palin

Fred Thompson gave probably the best speech I have ever heard from him. It was a tour de force combining an intro to Sarah Palin, an incredibly moving McCain biography, and some wonderful insights and observations. Joe Lieberman, in his own way, gave an equally strong speech aimed at establishg that there is one agent of change in this race, and it is John McCain. He asked Dems to cross party lines and pull the lever for Senator McCain and Gov. Palin. During the talking head portion of the show, Susan Estrich came on and savaged the left and the media for their treatment of Gov. Palin.

Wow. Fred on fire indeed. Transcript here. If you haven't seen it - of if you want to see it again:



I knew that one of John McCain's sons was in the service. I did not realize that three of McCain's sons were, and that two already had already seen service in Iraq. And Thompson's story concentrating on McCain's character was moving indeed. The absolute best line of the eve - As regards John McCain, when it comes time to decide whom to vote for, "it's pretty clear there are two questions we will never have to ask ourselves, "Who is this man?" and "Can we trust this man with the Presidency?"

Lieberman's speech was much more low key, but every bit as supportive of John McCain, emphasizing both his judgment and the fact that he is the true post partisan in the race. I will post a video when I find it. Here is a transcript.

Susan Estrich appeared on Greta Van Sustern after the speeches and just savaged the media and the left over their attacks on Ms. Palin. That said, she made two good points. One, the McCain campaign made a strategic blunder by not having a massive briefing book her ready to hand out to the press on Day 1. The daily leaks are going to chip away as days go by. Pondering this, I believe she is correct. Two, Estrich noted that the ball is completely in Palin's court. If she charms middle America and convinces us that she can lead, then the tsunami of attacks will be paid back in full on Democrats in November.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

"1. The daily leaks are going to chip away as days go by. Pondering this, I believe she is correct. Two, Estrich noted that the ball is completely in Palin's court. If she charms middle America and convinces us that she can lead, then the tsunami of attacks will be paid back in full on Democrats in November."

Interesting conclusions. I agree partially. If the attacks are proven to be baseless - and I believe they will be - then there are a _lot_ of women who are going to be deeply offended by the attack on Palin. It's so obviously sexist - and most women aren't used to that kind of treatment. Secondly, I think it also appeals to men who feel they need to defend her - although I'm not sure there are many left in the Dem party. No, that's unfair - among the far left, they have pulled women off the pedestal so they can use them. Their statements of equality are lip service only. Among moderate Dems, some of the old fashioned virtues of protecting women still exist - and the attacks on Palin will draw it out.
Big mistake to attack her, I think.