September 3, 2008

Live-blogging night 3 -- Sarah Palin alert! -- of the Republican Convention.

5:43 Central Time: I'm just setting this up so you can get started talking and to let you know that I'll be here -- on what is obviously a very exciting night.

7:48: I'm just settling in for some serious blogging, and the first thing I notice is this open mike eavesdropping on Mike Murphy and Peggy Noonan. Peggy: "The most qualified? No! I think they went for this -- excuse me-- political bullshit about narratives... Every time the Republicans do that, because that's not where they live and it's not what they're good at, they blow it."

8:11: It's Mitt Romney. He's got a peppy, plastic style. It's hammy in a way that might work from farther back in the room. Down with the "eastern elites"! It's time for sun to rise in the west -- in Arizona and Alaska. Now, he's getting an audience chant going: "It's liberal!" "We need change all right. Change from a liberal Washington to a conservative Washington." Liberals don't understand business. They grow government and dependency. It's "death to initiative." Fight dependency "like the poison it is." "It's time for the party of big ideas, not the party of Big Brother." He does a pretty good job of sharpening up the line between conservatives and liberals and making the conservative side seem better -- especially in economics.

8:28: I'm watching on CNN, with a TiVo assist. I'm keeping up with the speeches. But I pause when a speech ends and then scroll through the commentary when it's time for the next speech. Are the CNN commentators interesting? I don't have time for it all. Let's stop. Here's Jeffrey Toobin saying that bitching about the news media is hypocritical coming from John McCain, because they always used to love him. How come suddenly they seem "hypocritical and biased against him"? Huh? What's hypocritical? That sounds like they were always biased, but they just aren't supporting John McCain right now. What the hell kind of a defense of journalism isn that supposed to be? I mean, I can see why McCain is pissed about it. But it's an embarrassing defense.

8:33: Candy Crowley snags Mitt on the convention floor. She poses a hypothetical. Hey, what if John McCain drops dead on day one, huh? What do you think about that? How is Palin up for it? Mitt responds exactly the way you'd expect: Well, Obama, if elected, would be Prez on day one and how's he going to do it? Yeah, you don't even need a death scenario for that, you know, Candy. Mitt-quote: "The question about experience raises a lot of questions about Barack Obama."

8:36: Now, Mike Huckabee is up. He admits he's disappointed not to be the nominee. But McCain was his second choice, he says. He's got "the character and the stubborn kind of integrity that we need in a President." He thanks the MSM for uniting the Republican Party. Obama "will elevate our taxes and our risk in a dangerous world." He's got a chant he's trying to get going: "You want something to change." But don't forget about the things you don't want to change, like our freedom. He mocks "Barack Obama's Excellent Adventure to Europe." We don't like "European ideas." We like our freedom -- in other words, we don't like big government. This is the anti-dependency message again. It's not what government will do for you, it's what you will do for yourself if government gets out of the way. "The only soap we ever had in my house is Lava." That's a great line. "I'm not a Republican because I grew up rich. I'm a Republican because I didn't want to grow up poor waiting for the government to rescue me." Hey! This is an excellent speech. Much better than Romney's. Nice rhetoric and delivery.

8:46: The digital backdrop -- a flag, I think -- is, on these closeups, just a throbbing red. It's hard on the eyes. They need to blue it up, like normal TV. [ADDED: When Sarah Palin speaks, they just turn if off and have a black background.]

8:51: Huckabee ends with a long, folksy story about a teacher with a lesson to students about how they could "earn their desks." Veterans carrying desks are involved. I respect respecting veterans, but don't really see what's so wonderful about taking little kids and lengthily instructing them about what men have done in far away wars. It's a little too Captain-Koons-Hello-Little-Man for my taste.

8:58: I just corrected a typo in the 8:11 entry. I'd written "It's hammy in a way that might work from father back in the room." My son John emailed me about the typo, and I indicated that maybe it was Freudian, and I really wished I could have Mitt Romney for my dad, and John sends me this pic...



... and reminds me that he always said that Mitt looks like the dad on "The Donna Reed Show."

9:05: It's Rudy Giuliani, and this should be good. He was great at the RNC in '04. (Closeup on Cindy McCain who suddenly has her hair curled. Did the memo go out to soften her up?)

9:07: Rudy is saying that electing a President is basically hiring someone to do a job. He recites McCains résumé. Then we have another man. "He worked as a community organizer." He pauses. Mutters "what?" The audience reacts. Rudy repeats: "He worked as a community organizer." "Maybe this is the first problem on the résumé." And: "He immersed himself in Chicago machine politics." (That's an important line that could take a lot more play.) The audience boos Chicago machine politics. On to the Illinois state legislature where he couldn't figure out whether to vote yes or no. "It was too tough!" "I didn't know about this vote 'present' when I was mayor of New York City." And Sarah Palin couldn't vote "present" as Governor of Alaska. Being able to vote "present" means you weren't in an executive position.

9:17: Barack Obama has never led people in times of crisis. "He is the least experienced candidate for President in at least the last 100 years." He's never led people in anything -- "nada, nothing." Hey, that's unfair! He led the Harvard Law Review.

9:19: And don't forget: He led his campaign for President.

9:23: Rudy says Obama talks about change, but it might be the wrong kind of change. We want the right kind of change. Like, we should drill for oil. The crowd is all: "Drill, baby, drill!"

9:24: The Dems worry that it's politically incorrect to say "Islamic terrorism." They're afraid of insulting terrorists. The big digital screen is used to show a big skyline of NYC.

9:26: The surge was right. McCain got it right and Obama got it wrong. John McCain has taken unpopular positions and political risks. When, Rudy asks, has Obama ever done that? He was for an undivided Jerusalem for one day, only one day, when he was in Israel. The idea is that Obama is a man who played it safe, ingratiating himself in one way after another.

9:31: Palin has had "more executive experience than the entire Democratic ticket combined." He doesn't throw in John McCain and say she's had more executive experience than all 3 of them put together. He mocks the Dems for mocking her for being a mayor of a small town... where they cling to religion and guns. And now she's the most popular Governor in the country with an 80% approval rating. "You never get that in New York City." She fought corruption. She stood up for what is right. She and McCain "are going to shake up Washington." And "how dare they question whether Sarah Palin has enough time to spend with her children and be Vice President. When do they ever ask a man that question? When?!"

9:36: And now! It's her! Sarah Palin! Black skirt. Silver jacket. Oh, when do they ever say that about a man?

9:37: Huge cheers. Cute kid closeup. "Thang-Q. Thang-Q. Thang-Q so much."

9:38: She introduces her family -- her son, who is going to Iraq, her 3 daughters -- the cute youngest waves -- and the baby Trig, the special needs child. And she looks out directly on America, as though she sees all the people who have special children in their families -- and pledges that we will have a friend and advocate in the White House.

9:48: She tells us about Todd, the fisherman, her "guy," and don't forget that Yupik ancestry. She's got a Native American husband.

9:50: She praises small town Americans (like her!). Don't disrespect them! They are the salt of the earth.

9:52: "I guess a small-town mayor is sort of like a community organizer... except that you have actual responsibilities." And in small towns, they don't know what to make of a candidate who "lavishes praise" on them when he's around and then, behind their backs, "talks about how bitterly they cling to their religion and guns." Don't talk about us "one way in Scranton and another way in San Francisco." Ouch. John McCain is the same man wherever he goes.

10:00: In power, she fought corruption and government excess. "That luxury jet was over the top. I put it on eBay." "Nearly half a billion dollars in vetoes."

10:11: She's laying into Barack Obama. What is he, once those styrofoam pillars are dragged off the stage? It's all show. And the real plan is the old tax and spend.

10:13: "The American presidency is not supposed to be a journey of personal discovery."

10:19: She retells the story of John McCain, with the emphasis on character and authenticity. Elect "a great man" as the next President, she implores... to fabulous applause. We see the newly-curly-headed Cindy in the audience. She's pumped. The Palin family files out onto the stage. Trig is awakened. No baby would understand what the hell is going on, but he's gazing around at the lights and colors. The pregnant Bristol is there with her hunky hockey boyfriend. And now McCain trundles out. He raises his arms as high as he can to wave to the crowd. His tie is the color of the pantsuit Hillary wore for the DNC. [ADDED: He's sending the secret tie signal.] "Don't you think we made the right choice for the next Vice President of the United States? And what a beautiful family." He leans over to respond to something the little girl said. He shrugs. I guess he didn't know whatever it was that she didn't know.

10:32: Maybe it was: "Are you the next President?"

739 comments:

«Oldest   ‹Older   401 – 600 of 739   Newer›   Newest»
Bushman of the Kohlrabi said...

LOL... She is very, very good.

DaLawGiver said...

What? She going to Washington to serve the country? How dare her!

vbspurs said...

Chris Matthews just pooped a little.

Simon said...

"Because the status is not quo!" Dr. Horrible shout-out.

Anonymous said...

Simon also claims that he doesn't take commands from unhinged leftists.

SleepingGiant said...

"As admittedly great as McCain is, why did the Republicans think W. was far to be preferred back in 2000? Did McCain improve that much in only eight years?"

Because Bush had Karl Rove, tons of money, and the full backing of the religious right.

LoafingOaf said...

Frankly, Palin's voice gets extremely grating after five minutes.

DaLawGiver said...

A servant's heart. Sounds sort of Christianist doesn't it?

Lem the artificially intelligent said...

lem feels a tingle up his leg. Get out much?
--------
I have to tell you, you know, it's part of reporting this case, this election, the feeling most people get when they hear Barack Obama's speech. My, I felt this thrill going up my leg. I mean, I don't have that too often.

Chris Matthews

Hey said...

Where was Mac? Ummm... very different times, and he really wasn't impressive.

He wasn't impressive this time around ether, but he didn't screw up like the guys who can give great convention speeches. Goddamit Rudy!!!

But holy mother of god did he get the VP pic right.

Unknown said...

loafingoaf,

We all know you are a Christianphobe, and hate Sarah Palin because she's a Christian.

Why don't you answer the question Host asked earlier?

DaLawGiver said...

Chris Matthews just pooped a little.

Good one!

Peter Hoh said...

Rock on!

jeff said...

John McCain has executive experience. I believe he had at least one command position in the US Navy.

Unknown said...

did anyone else see Piper lick her hand to smooth out Trig's hair? It couldn't have been scripted better.

Simon said...

She sold that wasteful luxury jet the Governor has. When she gets in- Air Force One is next. Air Force Two, however... ;)

LoafingOaf said...

seven: Do you care AT ALL that there were nutty pro-terrorist and anti-Jew sermons going on at Palin's church while she was in attendence? Did you take the same view on Rev. Wright?

SleepingGiant said...

Pretty good so far. Doesn't look over her head at all.

Unknown said...

loafingoaf,

We all know you are a Christianphobe, and hate Sarah Palin because she's a Christian.

Why don't you answer the question Host asked earlier?

Peter V. Bella said...

Obama made his story.

Palin is making history.

TmjUtah said...

"I put it on Ebay."

I bet she's going to miss losing the advantage of being "that cute broad"; after tonight she'll never talk to another opponent who isn't armored up and paying attention.

LoafingOaf said...

Did everyone see that photograph of Palin wearing a t-shirt in support of the bridge to nowhere? It's all over the blogosphere today.

smitty1e said...

I only recently discovered that Mitt Romney is not Bruce Campbell.

Peter Hoh said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

A servant's heart. Sounds sort of Christianist doesn't it?

Careful, we're everywhere....and we're making a list.

TmjUtah said...

loafingoaf -

I'm cool with her church.

I mean, Obama spent twenty years in a place where the message was "hate whitey/ Goddamn America" and it hasn't seemed to slow him down much.

Geeze. I crack myself up.

Peter V. Bella said...

She is making Obama look like a high school drop out.

Simon said...

LoafingOaf said...
"Frankly, Palin's voice gets extremely grating after five minutes."

As opposed to your guy's, which grates after five lines, or Joe Biden's that won't shut up after five hours?

Lem the artificially intelligent said...

did anyone else see Piper lick her hand to smooth out Trig's hair? It couldn't have been scripted better.

I dont think it's a put-up.

TmjUtah said...

Now she's on issues.

More important, she's tying issues to our interests.

This is adult politics, boys and girls.

No Greek columns or football stadiums needed.

Quick, see if Olberman is still breathing...

Anonymous said...

Oaf -- You are absurdly shrill.

I have never taken a position on Obama's church. I don't take one on Palin's. The fact is that you hate her and are looking for reasons to hate her, apparently on shrill, kooky websites.

I am not voting for Obama because he is an inexperienced, big-government liberal who will raise taxes and implement ginormous, craptastic government programs that won't work.

Lem the artificially intelligent said...

I'm watching CSPAN free of the interruptions and talking heads.

Simon said...

Brent said...
"loafingoaf, We all know you are a Christianphobe, and hate Sarah Palin because she's a Christian. ¶ Why don't you answer the question Host asked earlier?"

Yeah, LoafingOaf - pony up, pussy.

Simon said...

Or push off.

SleepingGiant said...

Is it possible that Palin supported the bridge before she realized just how expensive and fouled up the project was, and when she found out what was going on, she sent the money to more useful endeavors? I mean, as mayor of Wasilla, with a total tool as governor, she may not have been privy to all the details.

Naw, that can't be right.

Simon said...

Lem said...
"I'm watching CSPAN free of the interruptions and talking heads."

Me too - they're interrupting? Oh jeez. Didn't I tell you they would?

Prosecutorial Indiscretion said...

The section laying out her energy expertise and tying energy to security was *really* well-written and well-delivered. She's damn credible and just demonstrated she can sit comfortably in the big chair.

Guesst said...

Could we get a new thread for posts?

Anonymous said...

It's true - this is a speech written by someone else, and all she had to do was give it well - and so far she's doing a hell of a job.

I think this is where the backlash starts, and it's the media's own fault. They've spent five days heaping calumny and vitriol and scorn and condescension on the woman, and anyone who didn't already know who she was, anyone who had only the MSM to go by, could be forgiven for up to now thinking that she's some kind of toothless, inbred, trailer-park dwelling, six-fingered, dirt-eating piece of white trash. I think a whole lot of people are watching her tonight who would not have watched her if the media hadn't spent five days spraying her with shit.

So now lots of people all over the country see an attractive, well spoken (her accent grates me, but I'm from Texas so I don't get to complain), feisty little gal with an adorable family. And a lot of people who've not made up their minds already - and these are the people she's aiming at, not the committed R's and D's - are going to look at her and say - hey, she's kinda like me.

No, not Keith and Rush. Keith and O'Reilly.

Simon said...

Oh, speaking of things I predicted - she criticizes Obama and SUDDENLY, it's CUT TO NEW CAMERA ANGLE where you can see the autocue!

al said...

Chris Matthews just pooped a little.

He could poop a lot and still be full of sh*t.


2 memoirs - no laws. That was good.

Anonymous said...

Isn't it amazing how quickly all Republicans get tarred as mean? Or stupid? Or mean. Or really, really smart but evil smart? Or sometimes all three at once, somehow?

Crazy worldview you lefties have.

SleepingGiant said...

"The section laying out her energy expertise and tying energy to security was *really* well-written and well-delivered. She's damn credible and just demonstrated she can sit comfortably in the big chair."

Exactly. And now she's killing Obama.

Hit him on the books. Two books for so unaccomplished a man is absurd.

Guesst said...

Vice-president-to-be Palin is field dressing the Democratic party.

I don't think The One is the one, anymore.

Peter Hoh said...

Yes, she's doing a great job. McCain will have a hard time topping this.

Can she still get top billing, what with all the executive experience and charisma that she brings?

LoafingOaf said...

Brent: Every politician I have ever voted for in every election (and I have voted for them all since I became of voting age) has been a Christian. That's proof enough that I don't vote against someone for being a Christian, so you and Simple Simon can stop pulling that rubbish out of your buttholes.

And you can answer this: Why are you so uninterested about the crazy goings-on at Palin's church while she was in attendence? Were you equally uninterested in the crazy goings-on at Obama's church when he was not in attendance?

I am consistant on these things.

You appear to be a partisan liar, like Simon.

mrs whatsit said...

Fox isn't interrupting.

UWS guy said...

Did she just say she's all for torture?

Anonymous said...

I'm watching CBS, no talking heads.

Peter V. Bella said...

She is flying like a butterfly and stinging like a bee.

vbspurs said...

This is one of the cutting political speeches in American history.

Wow. Sarah Barracuda.

Lem the artificially intelligent said...

Terrorist bill of rights.

Simon said...

oh, that "read them their rights" line is going to be the NYT frontpage.

MadisonMan said...

I don't watch this piffle. Can anyone give an objective analysis?

I'm not watching either -- grading papers. To answer your question: I doubt it. Not here in Comment Land, at least.

Anonymous said...

Oaf is wholly nonpartisan. He calls it like he sees it. And, by golly, he's full of truth and light. Never a scintilla of shade on the metaphysical truth.

Anonymous said...

I think this is where the backlash starts, and it's the media's own fault.

Yep.

UWS guy said...

Andrew Sullivan just exploded.

Simon said...

"careers to promote change" - good one.

Peter V. Bella said...

Grand slam.

Use their careers to promote change.

Guesst said...

Governor Palin has a degree in journalism.

She had plenty to do with her speech.

Hey said...

self designed presidential seals... OUCH!

SleepingGiant said...

You wanted us to talk about the economy, Obama? We're talking about the economy. And how you are going to flush it down the toilet.

TmjUtah said...

Wow. That Obama tax math is going to look even worse in tomorrow's newspapers. And you can take it to the bank that those numbers will be there.

This speech is hers. I'd bet a month's pay she wrote ninety percent of it.

And her inlaws are starting a service station...

This is devastating.

Lem the artificially intelligent said...

Use change to promote your career McCain uses his career to promote change!

YES.

UWS guy said...

Conservatives need to stop bitching and whining about "media" you have fucking fox news and limbaugh and hannity and The New York Sun.

boo hoo chris mathews doesn't like you.

VariableSpin said...

"Those who use change to promote their careers vs. those who use their careers to promote change."

Great line.

John Stodder said...

Do all Alaskans speak with an upper-Midwestern accent?

They didn't talk like this on "Northern Exposure."

Simon said...

UWS guy said...
"Andrew Sullivan just exploded."

Not as often as he did when Obama spoke. "Oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah, nearly there, nearly there, nearly the....AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

vbspurs said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Roberto said...

I-Am-A-Robot.


Write-It-And-I-Will-Read-It.


She just sealed the election for Obama.

Anonymous said...

Republican candidates don't write their own speeches. Their evil overlords prepare the speeches.

Please make a note of it.

Thank you.

LoafingOaf said...

Simple Simon: I don't have a guy (or a gal) in this election. so there is no "your guy" when it comes to me.

I am voting for Obama because people like you caused McCain to pick a trainwreck of a running mate who is completely unfit for command. McCain promised he'd picked a running mate ready to be Commander in Chief from Day One. Your wing of the GOP caused him to blow it.

I am an independent so there is no "my guy" or "my gal." I vote for what I think is best for the country. I will do what I can to prevent this unqualified joke of a VP candidate to be my Vice PResident. McCain should've gone with his first or second choice and he'd have been able to beat Obama.

Simon said...

Nice dig at Reid.

vbspurs said...

"There are some candidates that use change to promote their careers. And then there are politicians who use their careers to promote change."

I didn't really know what I expected, my fellow Althouse commenters, but this woman is KILLING Obama tonight.

Anonymous said...

So, Michael, it is your view that, for you personally, the election was still up in the air before this very speech. Is that right?

TmjUtah said...

Looking for a windup...

"Not a journey of personal discovery"

Oh that's a GREAT line.

former law student said...

Why has the McCain-Palin team been blocking nuclear power? Arizona has one nuclear power plant, while Alaska has none.

Obama's Illinois has SIX nuclear power plants. One has reached its end of life and closed. Obama's Illinois is the number one state in nuclear power capacity, a leader since the first chain reaction took place in Obama's neighborhood, in a facility operated by Michelle's employer. Illinois by itself generates almost as much nuclear power as does the United Kingdom.

Andrew Shimmin said...

This is the way to get back at the networks. Chew up their prime time!

LoafingOaf said...

It's no scandal or cause for attack to point out Palin didn't write her speech. but Simple Simon claimed she did. We're just trying to keep Simon's lies somewhat in check. He spews a bit too much partisan propaganda around here.

SleepingGiant said...

I loved the dig at Reid.

She definitely wrote some of this. I watched her gubanatorial debates. She's well-spoken and very effective.

vbspurs said...

Remember that the Vice-President is supposed to be the attack dog?

Well, Governor Sarah Biden just proved that truism right.

Obama must be sitting in his living room, reeling.

Hey said...

dunno bout the rest of ya'll but I've got 3 althouse windows and a pail window open... damn this is hard to keep track of.

Sarah is MEAN. I feel bad for O'biden.

"Only one man in this election who has really fought for you" hooo boy. sh's scaring me. and I like it.

John Stodder said...

you have fucking fox news and limbaugh and hannity and The New York Sun.

The NY Sun is about three weeks from going under.

Happy now?

Anonymous said...

I don't have a guy (or a gal) in this election...

So you are one of the undecideds, then>

I am voting for Obama.

Oh. You are a shrill partisan hack who has lost his bearings? Okay. Never mind.

Simon said...

LoafingOaf said...
"Simple Simon: I don't have a guy (or a gal) in this election. so there is no 'your guy' when it comes to me."

LoafingOaf, we've read your posts lately, and I can say without much fear of contradiction that the only thing that could keep you from voting for Obama would be getting hit by a bus on the way to the polls, and if it'd help him get elected, you'd go down the line at the polling booth offering blowjobs for votes.

Peter V. Bella said...

Hey Loafingoaf, you need a tow truck?

SleepingGiant said...

"Obama's Illinois has SIX nuclear power plants. One has reached its end of life and closed. Obama's Illinois is the number one state in nuclear power capacity, a leader since the first chain reaction took place in Obama's neighborhood, in a facility operated by Michelle's employer. Illinois by itself generates almost as much nuclear power as does the United Kingdom."

We're talking about Alaska, here. Nuclear power plants are expensive alternatives when you have enormous fossil fuel deposits to tap.

And Obama had nothing to do with those Illinois plants.

vbspurs said...

It's no scandal or cause for attack to point out Palin didn't write her speech.

Yes, because God forbid a woman can be intelligent on her own.

Simon said...

She's going to kill Biden, isn't she...

Meade said...

"Only one man in this election who has ever really fought for you."

TmjUtah said...

Not a journey of discovery….

Not a community, doesn’t need an organizer… only one man in this election who has ever fought for you.

HOLY SHIT.

DOWN GOES OBAMA! DOWN GOES OBAMA!

Reality Check said...

She is simply phenomenal. What a moving, clear, and convincing speech.

former law student said...

Hey, we lost the war in Vietnam -- the one that McCain fought. Did Sarah not get the memo? It was a Republican President who threw in the towel and yanked out the troops, leaving our free brothers to be overrun by godless Communists.

Roberto said...

Good Lord.

I had absolutely no idea.

Did anybody here know McCain was a POW???

Geeeeeeeezzzzzzzzzzzzz.....

SleepingGiant said...

She can speak as a mother sending her son off to war. And that's very powerful, especially against the nonsense concerning homeless vets wandering the streets, with a government that doesn't care.

Peter Hoh said...

loaf, how many converts do you think you've made here? How many people have you made even more resolved by your obnoxiousness?

Get your calculator. Take the number of converts and divide it by the number of people more resolved against your position.

Look at that. The calculator spells out a word, not a number.

Peter V. Bella said...

I never saw Hillary blow a kiss at anyone; not even Bill.

vbspurs said...

Yes, Simon.

But gloves are now truly off.

Obama/Biden cannot be seen to be weak after this unbelievably crushing attack at everything Obama spouted in 2008.

Remember 1984/Apple Super Bowl ad smashing in Hillary's face with a sledgehammer?

I think they're going to tear her apart with the jaws of life.

UWS guy said...

Noun+Verb+POW.

Republicans extoll the military more than the chicoms.

I thought it was creepy when the Chinese used the military in the Olympics.

Feel the same here, starting with Huckabee.

Anonymous said...

FLS -- Congress controls the purse. I know you know this.

al said...

Terrorist bill of rights.

You have the right to be shot till you are dead?

Anonymous said...

Thank you, Peter.

TmjUtah said...

former law student -

I believe a cursory examination of your history books will be sufficient to demonstrate that it was politicians like Obama... and the same party, matter of fact... and not the warriors, who lost that.

We can avoid the mistake this time around. And it looks like we just might pull it off.

vbspurs said...

Geeeeeeeezzzzzzzzzzzzz.....

Ah sweet sound of impotence, of defeat, of knowing you've just been utterly and totally PWNED tonight.

Simon said...

Hey - question: does anyone have hi def? She looks great on regular people TV, but everyone yesterday looked like they'd been sprayed for hi def.

SleepingGiant said...

"Hey, we lost the war in Vietnam -- the one that McCain fought. Did Sarah not get the memo? It was a Republican President who threw in the towel and yanked out the troops, leaving our free brothers to be overrun by godless Communists."

Yep. We lost because of the anti-war movement that's given us a bunch of our ineffective Congress. We never had a shot of winning that war with the piecemeal way it was fought.

Bravo Sarah, bravo!

UWS guy said...

YAWN.

If you're honest you'll say the same.

Lem the artificially intelligent said...

Sarah did it all!

Anonymous said...

Wow! Excellent, excellent job.

UWS guy said...

Rudy > Sara

Original Mike said...

I think Joe Biden just soiled his pants.

Lem the artificially intelligent said...

There is a real good chance this woman could be president!

vbspurs said...

Post-Pali speech question:

Has there EVER been a Vice-Presidential candidate who so impressed in a mere two speeches on the national stage, as this Governor of Alaska?

My God.

HER FAMILY!

Peter V. Bella said...

The little ole gal from Alaska, the LARGEST state in the union made Obama look like the little child that he is.

Bushman of the Kohlrabi said...

Outstanding!

TmjUtah said...

Oh, and law student -

You go ahead and take a trip down the VFW and tell them they lost the war.

Self solving problem.

GREAT speech.

And good night.

John Stodder said...

The baby-daddy is on stage!

Pundits will disapprove.

al said...

Simon - Sarah is absolutely beautiful in HD.

SleepingGiant said...

"Good Lord.

I had absolutely no idea.

Did anybody here know McCain was a POW???

Geeeeeeeezzzzzzzzzzzzz....."

That experience speaks to his character, in a way that nothing Obama's ever gone through can. Maybe they overuse it, but to me it's a defining moment of McCain's life.

Automatic_Wing said...

Heh. Somehow I get the feeling that she's not going to drop out after all.

Lem the artificially intelligent said...

McCain showed up! and the crowd is going wild!

Simon said...

I don't know that she hit it out of the park. She definitely hit it to the boundary - and I loved it. But my question is how independents (real indendents, I mean) took it.

vbspurs said...

There is a real good chance this woman could be president!

Yes. Thank God.

Peter Hoh said...

Yep, she outshines McCain.

LoafingOaf said...

Converts? Sometimes people just post to vent. We all know that the majority of Althouse commenters regard Sarah Palin as a Saint who should not even be asked basic questions about her fitness for office. You people are entirelyt un-convertable. Instead, it's fun just to shove shit in your face and watch as you prove how intellectually dishonest you are.

This election comes down to swing states and swing voters. I'm a swing voter in one of the bigger swing states (Ohio). McCain almost had my vote, but then he caved to the Religious Right and made a completely irresponsible and reckless choice for running mate despite his promises beforehand. McCain was a Republican I have long admired and respected, while you all hated him and tried to purge him from the party. Ia lso respected Rudy, someone you guys also regarded as a "RINO." McCain could've beaten Obama, but he blew it. He falsely believed the Religious Right represents America.

Ben Morris said...

I thought she was a little flat, actually. The speech lacked thematic unity, and she wasn't very good at crowd management in that size of venue. Maybe not quite what I was hoping, but still probably good enough to keep them competitive.

vbspurs said...

He should've said, "Can I pick 'em or what?".

What vetting process?

Peter V. Bella said...

From the look on Cindy McCain's face, I think I know who picked Palin. Boy is it the right choice.

Roberto said...

The speech would carry so much more gravitas if delivered by someone with any real experience in national affairs, government, life.

As is, it was nothing more than a regurgitation of Republican talking points everybody has heard before.

Her speech will probably garner great reviews for presentation for sure bt Republicans and their minions), but who is this to be lecturing Americans?

And again I will ask, because no one here has the guts to respond, why Sarah instead of Romney, Ridge, Pawlenty, Whitman, etc?

John Stodder said...

I think Joe Biden just soiled his pants.

I figure he's thinking he'll run rings around her in a debate.

He probably isn't happy that Wolf Blitzer says "she hit it out of the park."

Peter Hoh said...

Simon, I know you don't think I'm independent, but I loved it.

Meade said...

Exceeded all expectations.

Simon said...

"The right choice" says McCain - oh yeah.

Hey said...

Kicking ass - and she doesn't give a F**** what your name is.

Johnny Mac looks scared. That comedy video earlier was right.

LoafingOaf said...

As Peter shows, the Religious Right regards Saint Palin as the Top of the Ticket. Based on what? That she didn't abort a Downs Syndrome baby and wants to outlaw abortions.

What a joke.

Peter Hoh said...

I'm not a big fan of the projection screen behind the speakers, though. I guess I better get used to it, though.

Anonymous said...

Oaf -- You are simply lying. You are a liar. You were never considering voting for McCain. No one with such vitriol and consistently far-left views such as you could seriously contemplate a vote for McCain.

Furthermore, no one tried to kick McCain out of the Big Tent. Everyone knows this. Hence, you are either lying about that as well. Or you are stupid.

vbspurs said...

she wasn't very good at crowd management in that size of venue.

I thought the exact opposite, Benjamin. She let the waves of applause wave by her, without fazing her at all.

She also had a poised, steely style that I'm sure will get her the moniker as "The Steel Magnolia" now.

Peter V. Bella said...

Hey, Oaf, AAA is on the way.

Ben (The Tiger in Exile) said...

She did it.

LoafingOaf said...

Did Simple Simon catch that on Fox News: "She didn't write it of course. It was written by Matthew Scully." Just as I said.

Simon was trying to say Palin wrote her speech. LOL

Simon said...

Shorter Sarah: "say my name, bitch!"

"Lipstick"!

Peter Hoh said...

The ABC booth is giving her a lot of love. I don't think I've heard anything in the wrap up that Rush can whine about.

Anonymous said...

And another thing: when reasonable people who are generally disposed to agree with you are suggesting that you shut up, maybe you ought to shut up.

Lem the artificially intelligent said...

McCain is like the guy you never expect to make a great play, and then one day he wins a game all by himself.

vbspurs said...

You know how John McCain feels right now? Like he just got sprung from the Hanoi Hilton all over again.

Bushman of the Kohlrabi said...

Oh no! msnbc things she was too mean...

Peter V. Bella said...

Folks, history was made tonight. Sarah Palin probably gave one of the most memorable speeches ever.

Hey, did something happen in Denver last week?

TmjUtah said...

sleeping -

You are a liar, and not a very bright one.

""Hey, we lost the war in Vietnam -- the one that McCain fought. Did Sarah not get the memo? It was a Republican President who threw in the towel and yanked out the troops, leaving our free brothers to be overrun by godless Communists."

Under the agreement reached at the Paris Peace accords, the United States pledged to replace military supplies and equipment on a one -to one basis, and to provide air support if the North Vietnamese did not honor their commitments to respect South Vietnam's sovereignty.

And the Democratic congress refused to fund the appropriation to resupply OR support the Vietnamese, who up until that time had (a period of weeks) had held the North Vietnamese attack at the DMZ.

We broke our promise to the RVN. Which I didn't understand until I was almost forty years old; it took the 'net and some pretty serious book reading to figure that out.

Media... wasn't much help.

So, never forget, it was the DEMOCRATS who got us into a war they didn't intend to win, then DEMOCRATS who stabbed our allies in the back after a REPUBLICAN happened on by they could use to over their ass.

What useless sons of... these Lefist crapweasels are.

Get ready for eight years in the woods.

This is rich - I'm listening to the NPR people interviewing each other. Clueless.

A lot like sleeping.

LoafingOaf said...

Oh, here comes seven trying to pretend all the Right Wing attacks on McCain the last several years never occurred. What a liar. You see, I listen to the Christianist radio programs for kicks. I know exactly what they spewed about McCain all these years.

Please, will the much-hyped Althouse commenters ever stop LYING?

Lem the artificially intelligent said...

If you think is been ugly for Palin thus far....

get ready.

John Stodder said...

And again I will ask, because no one here has the guts to respond, why Sarah instead of Romney, Ridge, Pawlenty, Whitman, etc?

I guess my answer would be because they're all flawed. Pawlenty might have been a good option, but ... how boring. It's what Peggy Noonan said: It's about the narrative.

The entire Democratic ticket is a narrative. Seems to be the thing.

She did great by any measure. There were some good lines and, whether she wrote 'em or not, she delivered them skillfully.

Peter Hoh said...

loaf, if you think I represent the religious right, well, I'm pretty sure you are the first person who ever made that mistake. I'm from the Christian Left, baby.

trainer said...

Great. I love her.

Someone needs to tell Levi not to chew gum on national TV.

Peter V. Bella said...

Hey loafing oaf, AAA wants to know if you need a tow truck or a wrecker? What should I tell them?

mrs whatsit said...

UWS: You wish.

Simon said...

LoafingOaf said...
"Did Simple Simon catch that on Fox News"

I don't watch Fox News. The last time I checked, liberals argued that Fox News is a pack of liars with no credibility, yet here's loafingoaf relying on fox news. How... Convenient.

Anonymous said...

You see, I listen to the Christianist radio programs for kicks.

That's hilarious, dude. You need to take a break. Maybe it's time to blow off some steam. There are some good porn sites on the web for every taste. I'm told.

VariableSpin said...

From a Palin supporter: From what I've seen in her interviews, she's better extemporaneously.

Good speech nonetheless.

vbspurs said...

The lipstick line was hers. And its timing was magnificent.

Fred Barnes just called her "The Natural".

Quite.

Peter V. Bella said...

Bushman of the Kohlrabi said...
Oh no! msnbc things she was too mean...



The network that gave us the vicious, rabid pit bull doberman mut, Olbermann?

mrs whatsit said...

loaf, do you imagine that Obama writes his?

Simon said...

Peter - kudos. :)

Lem the artificially intelligent said...

The most memorable line? and there were many.

What is he [Obama], once those styrofoam pillars are dragged off the stage to some backlot.

Hey said...

Tom Petty is in the HOUSE.

"... no I won't back down...heeeey baby, don't take the easy way out..."

Rented mules and red headed step-children don't get beaten this badly. Somewhat better than man-like object "I invented the internet".

I just want to thank Andrew Sullivan. You made Sarah angry. You won't like her when she's angry!

vbspurs said...

Someone needs to tell Levi not to chew gum on national TV.

Wow, Trainer good eye. Heh.

PBS' panel are not upbeat. "Hockey mom sort of way", but their heart is not in it.

They look stunned.

Anonymous said...

Of course Obama writes his own speeches. All of them. And Biden. And the Clintons. All of them. When you are so brilliant, it's easy. When you are stupid, you need evil overlords for hire.

Don't you know the demonology, people?

Original Mike said...

she wasn't very good at crowd management in that size of venue.

Are you nuts?

Simon said...

Sarah Palin is the sort of Republican that I've put up with eight years of George Bush to be in the same party as.

reader_iam said...

As with Sarah, the fewer words, the better.

Anonymous said...

Petty's there? Get him up on stage! Find him a guitar.

former law student said...

We're talking about Alaska, here. Nuclear power plants are expensive alternatives when you have enormous fossil fuel deposits to tap.

Illinois produces way more than its share of nuclear energy. Its time for other states to come up to the Illinois standard.

Arizona has no excuse for lagging behind. And, unlike Illinois, it has its own uranium deposits to tap. In fact, uranium was mined in Arizona from 1918 until 1966. The uranium is still there to be mined.

McCain could have exercised leadership on this issue at any time over the past 36 years.

Anonymous said...

They look stunned.

Wait til November!

Peter V. Bella said...

Man, Obama must be crying like a baby now. He got bitch slapped in front of miilions of people. Not just once, but over and over again.

Jim Howard said...

I turned away from Fox because I can't stand Bill O'Riley (and I'm as right wing a wacko as you'll find).

I've been watching this evening on CNN and been pleased that their coverage is reasonably fair and balanced.

Palin's speech was great. The longer she talked the more relaxed she became and the better she got.

She delivered a number of body blows to Obama, facts that simply can't be denied about his almost total lack of any significant accomplishment other than speech making.

I can't wait for the VP debate.

vbspurs said...

"Two speeches" is the MSNBC meme.

"There's no doubt this woman is tough, but at times she was sarcastic."

LOL. I love it. I'm just sooo mellow right now. I feel like all of this is water off a duck's back right now.

I'm upbeat in the most passive way imaginable. I think it's called being in a state of grace.

Simon said...

peter hoh said...
"[Loafing]loaf, if you think I represent the religious right, well, I'm pretty sure you are the first person who ever made that mistake. I'm from the Christian Left, baby."

And I'm from the non-Christian right. :p

Simon said...

So, everyone: let's have a sweepstakes. How will the print media slander Palin's speech tommorow?

John Stodder said...

And again I will ask, because no one here has the guts to respond, why Sarah instead of Romney, Ridge, Pawlenty, Whitman, etc?

Do I get credit for extra guts if I answer your question twice?

It has been a rare thing for a VP nominee to be "the most qualified." It's subjective anyway. You couldn't get 10 people to agree on who's the most qualified. Is she in the tier of qualified candidates. I'd say after tonight, you'd have to say yes on two grounds.

First, she's a gifted politician. You heard her. There's no doubt. And I'm sure it wasn't a cinch to attain the governorship of her own state.

And second, her primary area of expertise is energy, which is getting its long-overdue recognition as a foundational issue. Who knows how much of her speech she actually wrote, but I know she wrote the energy stuff and you can't deny it was wonky.

vbspurs said...

Sarah Palin is the sort of Republican that I've put up with eight years of George Bush to be in the same party as.

Well said.

I'm not anti-Bush. But damn, I am pro-Palin.

Palin Power? Even if it sounds like Girl Power? Yeah, why not!

vbspurs said...

How will the print media slander Palin's speech tommorow?

She was a royal sarcastic bitch, and not Presidential.

Ben Morris said...

vbspurs:

I think that's one reason I was a teensy-weensy put off: a lot of the time it really felt like she was performing other people's material. I mean all political speeches have a team of writers, but this is a central political skill: working with writers who have mastered your voice and then delivering the product as your own.

E.g., I thought it was no coincidence that the most effective line was the bulldog/lipstick joke, which is hers.

Unknown said...

"Only ONE man in this election has ever fought for you."

The Republicans should repeat that line at every occasion.

Anonymous said...

Indeed. McCain should have sent a bunch of federal earmark dollars to Arizona for nuclear power. That fits so well into his central principle about cutting down on federal earmarks.

Brilliant!

Anonymous said...

It is 11:30 and I should be going to bed, but instead I popped open a beer to celebrate a job well done.

Peter Hoh said...

I tried to coin a word to describe the painful and thorough examination of everything in Palin's record, but I found that someone else had already used "Palinoscopy."

So I'm hoping to be the first one to say that for a former small town mayor, she sure is articulate.

Ben Morris said...

On the other hand, does anyone else think that all this focus that is being given to the fact that she didn't write the speech is kind of sexist? When do they say that about a man? When??

former law student said...

Congress controls the purse. I know you know this.

Republicans -- long on excuses, short on leadership.

Guesst said...

That experience speaks to his character, in a way that nothing Obama's ever gone through can.

Obama went through the trauma of being raised by a racist white grandma--the one he just dragged out from under the bus last week!

Mike Tanis said...

I think she did a very good job. Great poise. Only a couple minor timing issues. Best of all it looked to me like she both enjoyed herself and believed what she was saying. I don't think there is any doubt she is qualified and capable to do the job.

I probably would have voted for McCain no matter who he chose as a running mate. Now I'm excited about picking McCain-Palin.

Sofa King said...

I'm upbeat in the most passive way imaginable. I think it's called being in a state of grace.

I thought that's called "afterglow."

Simon said...

OH! Federal courts wonk alert - McCain was nominated by the chair of the Texas Railroad Commission!

Chris Arabia said...

Hey Former Law Student, what leadership should John McCain have been showing on Arizona uranium in 1972? Send a homing pigeon from Hanoi to Phoenix with a note: "Mine uranium." You %$**& idiot!

That's the 1st female President, whether McCain wins or not.

Anonymous said...

...for a former small town mayor, she sure is articulate.

And clean, don't forget clean, I think they have indoor plumbing up north.

John Stodder said...

So, everyone: let's have a sweepstakes. How will the print media slander Palin's speech tommorow?

Watch CNN. They are extremely impressed. I don't think the MSM is going to do the Groucho Marx "Who are you going to believe, me or your own two eyes?" They have to give her props.

On MSNBC, Eugene Robinson, a total hack, said at least half her speech was great -- the biographical part. Chris Matthews said "it plays in Scranton."

David Gergen said she reminded him of Anne Richards. That's high praise from someone like him. She defined GHWB as "born with a silver foot in his mouth." Gergen also appreciated her substance on the economy and energy.

So, to answer your question, I think the NYT and WaPo gives her her night. They'll tell us she's a cross-dresser pot-smoker next week.

Peter Hoh said...

Pawlenty must feel a little pissed about getting passed over, but there's no way he could have matched this performance. And I think he knows that.

Michael S said...

former law student said...
Hey, we lost the war in Vietnam -- the one that McCain fought. Did Sarah not get the memo? It was a Republican President who threw in the towel and yanked out the troops, leaving our free brothers to be overrun by godless Communists.


After the Democratic Congress cut funding, what was the option?

Go back to history class...

Anonymous said...

What a fascist statement, FLS! What should the administration have done, dude? Send the army over to Congress?

MC said...

That was excellent. Fantastic speech.

Palin landed so many punches against Obama in that speech - the autobiography, the foam pillars, the mayor vs community organiser and many more.

mrs whatsit said...

Thank you Benjamin. Did one person condescendingly comment last week after Barack or Biden spoke, "Well of course he didn't really WRITE it ..."

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