Althouse: The GOP convention begins.

July 18, 2016

The GOP convention begins.

Let's talk about it.

242 comments:

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walter said...: Donald J. Trump ‏@realDonaldTrump 1h1 hour ago

It was truly an honor to introduce my wife, Melania. Her speech and demeanor were absolutely incredible.; 7/19/16, 12:24 AM
walter said...: ("She's pretty damn hot too..ammi right?"; 7/19/16, 12:27 AM
Gideon7 said...: The MSM are in full Palinization mode. They sense that Melania is a real threat (immigrant, beautiful, smart) and so she must be Palinized quickly and relentlessly by whatever means at hand. Their jumping all over her speech is just the beginning. Mark my words, it will get vicious.; 7/19/16, 12:35 AM
Michael Fitzgerald said...: PBandJ_LeDouanier said... Anywho, at least HRC did show unusual wisdom (for a pol) by not trying to do the cover up thing, which is what always seems to be the downfall for pols who think they're so smart.
7/18/16, 11:10 PM

LMFAO! Secret server, 30,000 deleted emails, wiped hard drives, meeting with AG during litigation, etc. ad nauseum = "Not trying to do the cover up thing". LOL! O lord, the state of delusion that democrat party members maintain would be hilarious if it weren't so wicked... Democrats Uber Alles! Heil Hillary!; 7/19/16, 12:39 AM
shiloh said...: (4) years ago I ♥ Willard was a regular. So far I ♥ Donald has not arrived. Very disappointing.

After Trump loses I ♥ Willard should get together with I ♥ Donald to commiserate!; 7/19/16, 12:45 AM
Gideon7 said...: People are spotting lines in Laura Bush's speech to the RNC convention on July 31, 2000 that are similar to Michelle's 2008 speech.; 7/19/16, 12:45 AM
walter said...: "not trying to do the cover up thing"
H: Like with a blannnket?; 7/19/16, 12:57 AM
walter said...: Gideon7 said...
People are spotting lines in Laura Bush's speech to the RNC convention on July 31, 2000 that are similar to Michelle's 2008
--Wouldn't doubt it. This shit is like blues music.; 7/19/16, 12:58 AM
Gideon7 said...: Bush's speechwriter had accused Obama of plagarizing his boss in the latter's 2007 State of the Union address.

http://www.politico.com/blogs/media/2014/01/bush-speechwriter-obama-plagiarized-bush-182184#ixzz4EpZmzg00; 7/19/16, 1:02 AM
walter said...: Would Melania say something like "this is the first time I've been proud of my country"?
From her, might be kinda cute...; 7/19/16, 1:03 AM
Gideon7 said...: s/latter's/former's/; 7/19/16, 1:04 AM
walter said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 7/19/16, 1:07 AM
Lewis Wetzel said...: Who could watch Melania's RNC speech and not yearn for a Hillary-Warren ticket?
Normal, non-communist Americans, that's who.; 7/19/16, 1:33 AM
Jon Ericson said...: So where is Sugartits?
Have they pulled the J.V. team?
Are we get heavyweights that can debate next?
Have they given up completely?
What was with the attacking of poor widdle me with ad hominem drivel?
Are they shifting their big guns to other sites?
Are they regrouping?
Are they falling apart?
Were all the attacks lone wolfs?
Is the money pipeline clogged?
Was there ever a money pipeline?

Where have all the good trolls gone?
Long time passing.

WTF?

Is Meadehouse behind this?
Hmmm

The answers are out there...; 7/19/16, 1:45 AM
CJ said...: Ribbonguy: Slovenia, where Melania Trump is from, is on the Adriatic Sea just east of Trieste, Italy. Slovakia borders the Czech Republic; the two nations were formerly united as Czechoslovakia.; 7/19/16, 4:51 AM
David Begley said...: Birchers

I think you are correct, but those speech writers are fired. Unnecessary controversy.; 7/19/16, 5:03 AM
exiledonmainstreet, green-eyed devil said...: The accent was different. I guess you can stick w/ that.

7/19/16, 12:03 AM

The speech fit the usual candidate's wife speech template of - I was raised (fill in the blank) by good parents who taught me these values (fill in the blank) and my husband is a good man because (fill in the blank). Is she not supposed to talk about her background or praise her husband? I realized you're going to pick at everything you possibly can, but to think that's plagiarism is absurd. I could just as easily claim that Michele stole her speech from Laura Bush.

I'm sure Melania won't plagiarize Michele's fashion sense or facial expressions. Melania doesn't generally look like she's just bitten into a lemon.; 7/19/16, 5:26 AM
exiledonmainstreet, green-eyed devil said...: And I'm sure the Dems would rather pick apart Melania's speech than focus on anything said by Sean Smith's mother and Marcus Luttrel.; 7/19/16, 5:51 AM
Brando said...: Observations:

1) Grieving family members are political gold. Doesn't really matter what they're arguing for, they still beat a congressman any day.

2) If they stick to Hillary and why she has no business getting a promotion after her record, they can win this thing.

3) While there's plenty to criticize in Obama and Hillary's foreign policy, a lot of this was so overblown it lost me--the way some speakers were going on you'd think the Russians were occupying half our country and we were paying tribute to the Huns so they won't sack our capital.

4) I didn't see any policy specifics. I'm not expecting brief speakers to offer super detail, but how about some idea of why Trump is going to make us safe? It's like we're going entirely on trust, shades of Obama 2008, which according to these speakers got us destroyed as a world power.

5) Missed Melania's speech, but the buzz today is that she copied Michelle Obama's from 2008. Not a huge deal (cough, Biden) but suggests Trump's speechwriters are beyond incompetent--didn't they know this would be found out pretty fast?; 7/19/16, 6:04 AM
Etienne said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 7/19/16, 6:12 AM
cubanbob said...: PBandJ_LeDouanier said...
CubanB,

What the FBI laid almost totaly related to emails that were sent to HRC, when you separate what she sent v what she received. Which means that if cons want to continue to make this seem like a massive security breech, they must go after all the folks that sent all this info to an unclassified system. If you only go after HRC for one email that had the letter "C" (for the lowest level of classification) next to a particular section in the body of a single email, you've totally admitted that you're political hacks rather than genuinely concerned about who was sending secret info to unsafe email accounts.

7/18/16, 11:37 PM"

Dude denial isn't a river in Egypt. Before one even gets to national security the simple fact is there is no legitimate reason whatsoever for her having a privater server, actually various servers whatsoever. None. In of itself, that is a felony. Her work product belongs to her employer, a firm known as the United States. There is no beyond that. As for what is and isn't classified, seriously you are delusional. She was the SoS. Her work product includes national security information, that is part of the job. It also includes sensitive information on internal US views on various matters that are of more than just a curiosity to foreign governments. She recklessly exposed the national security. She did what she did to avoid accountability. And your statements about about classified material is 180 different from what the FBI stated. She is facially unqualified to be in any position of trust. The only federal house she deserves to sleep in is the Big House.; 7/19/16, 6:28 AM
damikesc said...: Good God, could the Republican Party sink any lower? Politicizing the grief of Mrs.Smith, the mother of the contractor that was killed in Benghazi.

They could've lied about what happened and even had a guy arrested for no real reason...

Indeed, the only reality Axelrod is familiar with is winning presidential elections.

So was Rove.

Don't care what he says either.

No, eric; standard-issue Republicans are for immigration to help fill U.S. jobs that aren't being filled by Americans, and for immigrants with special talents and skills, and special motivations as entrepreneurs to enter the country legally. To work. But not with motivations for wholesale grants of U.S. citizenship.

The Trump-Teabag crowd accuses Republicans of being for "open borders" in all of that.

Disney forced American employees to train their foreign replacements or lose their severance as they were being fired.

You see nothing wrong with that?

And the Tea Party was an exceedingly polite group that simply wanted lower taxes, spending, and oversight.

"Republicans" like you attacked them for those simple and conservative requests. But your conservatism is duly noted. "HOW DARE YOU CRETINS CRITICIZE THE REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP!!!"

You can criticize Trump all you want --- but if people like you didn't attack the Tea Party, Trump wouldn't exist.

And, presumably America would be safe if HRC goes to jail because she sent three emails that had subsections that were marked the lowest level of Classified (w/ the letter "C" written in the margin), but State says two of these weren't actually Classified.

Yes, the FBI made it all up. Sure.

So, why do you support Manning being in jail for doing less than Hillary did? She was gung-ho for him being in jail...

Anywho, at least HRC did show unusual wisdom (for a pol) by not trying to do the cover up thing, which is what always seems to be the downfall for pols who think they're so smart.

Outside of not turning over the emails and forensically wiping her server, you mean?

Which means that if cons want to continue to make this seem like a massive security breech, they must go after all the folks that sent all this info to an unclassified system.

I have no issues doing that. Abedin should be in jail. Blumenthal should be in jail. Every single member of the Obama admin who emailed her PERSONAL email server with work emails should be in jail. If eggs must be cracked, c'est la vie.

And, in this situation the FBI says that HRC sent three emails that had subsections that had the letter "C" next to them (for the lowest level of classification). But, the State Dept says that two of these shouldn't have been identified as "C".

That is not what Comey said. She sent and received chains of emails at the highest level of classification.; 7/19/16, 6:47 AM
readering said...: After the Tropical Storm in Tampa in '12 they should have realized these things only need to be three days.; 7/19/16, 6:51 AM
shiloh said...: "After the Tropical Storm in Tampa in '12 they should have realized these things only need to be three days."

Conventions have absolutely no effect on presidential election outcomes. Repeating ...
Conventions have absolutely no effect on presidential election outcomes.

Keep hope alive!; 7/19/16, 7:02 AM
wendybar said...: Plagiarism??? What plagiarism??? Are Melania Trump, Joe Biden & Barack Obama Plagiarism Allegations Similar?

http://heavy.com/news/2016/07/melania-trump-joe-biden-plagiarism-allegations-plagiarized-speech-barack-obama-neil-kinnock-deval-patrick/; 7/19/16, 7:03 AM
Bob Ellison said...: walter said, "This shit is like blues music."

Right.

Most people probably don't recognize 12-bar, 8-bar, or 1-5-6-4 patterns.

The sonnet form. The portrait. The crappy witticism.

Most people have no idea, so plagiarism claims work.; 7/19/16, 7:04 AM
MadisonMan said...: My biggest issue is avoidance of FOIA. Completely unacceptable, not to mention criminal.

Agree 100%.; 7/19/16, 7:07 AM
damikesc said...: Are Melania Trump, Joe Biden & Barack Obama Plagiarism Allegations Similar?

No. I hold the wife of a candidate to a lower standard than I'll hold a Presidential candidate to.

I love the media ignoring that Melania is not running for any office whatsoever.; 7/19/16, 7:25 AM
Bad Lieutenant said...: Julio said...
We must crush the Mexicans!
7/18/16, 9:51 PM

Julio! Ese! Que pasa?

Doing the jobs Americans won't do, are we? Or is Hil trying to save money?

It would be interesting to know what all the different trolls are being paid, if it is all the same or if some are doing better than others. Cmon, Dems, you've got nothing to hide, right? Ahahahahahahahahahahahaha...; 7/19/16, 7:26 AM
Susan said...: Plagiarized? Really? Michelle Obama is not the only person who has ever said that her word is her bond nor is she the first person to tell her children that they can achieve their dreams if they work hard. I call baloney on this. It was stupid when they accused Michelle of doing the same thing with Laura Bush's speech.; 7/19/16, 7:50 AM
Mark said...: I wonder what those who dismiss this copying had to say about when Mary Burke did the same on her economic plan while running against Scott Walker.

Quite a lot of folks around here found it disqualifying then, but have conveniently forgotten that.; 7/19/16, 7:58 AM
Brando said...: "Conventions have absolutely no effect on presidential election outcomes."

Recent history notwithstanding, conventions can absolutely have an effect--where they show division and chaos, their nominee and other candidates usually suffer (1968 Dems, 1964 GOP). Where the party unifies and the messaging is disciplined, it can showcase a candidate, build a week or so of good press, and provide momentum going into the general election (1992 Dems, 2004 GOP). It can also backfire if the candidate flops in his big speech (Kerry 2004) or the speakers spend their time talking about themselves and do nothing for their candidate or overall message (Christie 2012).

Part of what makes them less impactful these days is people tend to vote their parties, so convention messages are tailored more towards pleasing their bases than expanding them. So I don't expect much bump this year.; 7/19/16, 8:00 AM
wildswan said...: Trump put on a good show, so did Melania and his bitchy rivals are bitching it. I'm relieved. Trump is an unknown - what will he do? is he really running? - but he beat 16 rivals, is pulling even with Hillary in the polls, showed support for conservative positions and for flyover country and is putting on a good show at the convention.

And I don't believe the others could stand up to Hillary and her dirt machine and poodle media. That moment when Romney let Cindy get away with her interference is one reason I support Trump.; 7/19/16, 8:29 AM
shiloh said...: "So I don't expect much bump this year."

Even if there is a bump it disappears almost immediately. I was talking recently, but as regards to Chicago '68 parties go out of their way to prevent such occurrences from happening.

With 24/7 news/cable/internet candidates are who they are and conventions won't change that perception. Chuck Todd commented (4) years ago that where the polls were (3) months out pretty much reflected the election final result ie everything that happened in between, campaigning, current events, etc. had absolutely no effect on the outcome.

Trump's problem in a nutshell! Romney mentioned stupidly Dems will get 47% regardless. If true and Hillary gets 47% she wins imo.

that is all ...; 7/19/16, 9:15 AM
SweatBee said...: Which means that if cons want to continue to make this seem like a massive security breech, they must go after all the folks that sent all this info to an unclassified system.

I'd be fine with that. Kristian Saucier probably would be, too.; 7/19/16, 9:22 AM
damikesc said...: Quite a lot of folks around here found it disqualifying then, but have conveniently forgotten that.

You're right, Mark. She just lost my vote for her as First Lady. Just as I bet Burke lost your vote for her as Governor.; 7/19/16, 9:53 AM
Bad Lieutenant said...: shiloh said...
(4) years ago I ♥ Willard was a regular. So far I ♥ Donald has not arrived. Very disappointing.

After Trump loses I ♥ Willard should get together with I ♥ Donald to commiserate!

7/19/16, 12:45 AM

Hey Shiloh,

What will you do if Trump wins? Curious.; 7/19/16, 12:07 PM
shiloh said...: "What will you do if Trump wins? Curious."

Be pissed for a couple days, like 2004, then move on. Unlike many cons here who think it's the end of the world when any Dem wins the presidency. Plus most die hard cons believe Reps should win every presidential election regardless.

Living long enough to see Obama elected twice and the 8 year chagrin/depression of cons on the net will make a Trump victory less painful/distressing.

>

Having survived 5 1/2 years of Nixon and 8 years of Cheney/Bush ~ life goes on ...

>

btw, Dutch was my C-in-C during my USN days. It was very hard to dislike Reagan although I didn't vote for him.; 7/19/16, 2:43 PM
Bad Lieutenant said...: How odd, Shiloh, that your chief focus is on the pain that your desired result may bring others. It doesn't speak well of you, but like coupe, you strike me as a man in pain. You should get help.; 7/19/16, 5:53 PM
Bad Lieutenant said...: How long were you in?; 7/19/16, 5:54 PM
shiloh said...: Unknown, any enjoyment I get is from the self-righteous, arrogant con assholes, like yourself, who are so sure Trump is gonna win, just like "they" were sure Willard was gonna win (4) years ago.

btw, anyone who is so frickin' fragile re: politics really shouldn't be here anyways and they are indeed in need of an intervention. Like Achilles who's practically in tears at the prospect of Hillary becoming president.

Yea, many cons still haven't recovered from their reality of having a Black man elected and then gasp re-elected president of the United States. And then to add insult to injury his family gets to live in the White House! A building built by slaves.

>

btw, did I mention you're a self-righteous, arrogant con asshole? Just wanted to make sure. But on the bright side this means you fit in here like a glove.; 7/19/16, 7:54 PM
Rusty said...: Yea, many cons still haven't recovered from their reality of having a Black man elected and then gasp re-elected president of the United States. And then to add insult to injury his family gets to live in the White House! A building built by slaves.

Actually I'm having a difficult time trying to decipher the liberal logic behind electing him in the first place. Apparently you thought that the country was ready for some fascism.I don't know. I think you'll find that a lot of people here are more like classic liberals than the 50s and 69s conservatives you've convinced yourself that we are.

Re the White House. I think it was rebuilt under Truman or Eisenhower. From the inside out. Seems the original builders didn't do a very good job. If Jefferson had done the building it would have lasted.; 7/20/16, 5:54 AM