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September 03, 2008
GOP: Night Two
In the lineup: Michael Steele, Mitt Romney, Mike Huckabee, Rudy Giuliani and Sarah Palin.
Steele and Romney were a whole lot of meh. Steele was charismatic, but didn't say a whole lot, and Romney seemed rushed and distant. There's no doubt that he's an intelligent man, but his inability to connect to the audience showed tonight. It was like a recitation of talking points based upon a business paradigm. The only thing missing was a powerpoint presentation. Can't help but like the guy, though.
And then there was Huckabee. I've been hard on Huckabee over the last few months. As irritating as Huckabee can be, there's no doubting his ability to deliver a speech. I laughed out loud a few times - the man is funny, and his points were sharp. His strong endorsement of Sarah Palin should help shut down the 'evangelicals are against Palin's daughter' pretty quick. Well done, Huck.
Giuliani was in rare form tonight. His speech started out slow, but hit its stride with the line "Community organizer...(chuckle) What?" From that point on, his speech ruthlessly mocked Barack Obama and his experience. It was a bit over the top at times, but the crowd was hungry for red meat...and he delivered. Only Giuliani could deliver such attack-dog lines with a smile.
That's what I thought, anyway, until Palin spoke. Her speech was outstanding. She started out a bit nervous-sounding, but quickly warmed up and delivered the best speech of the night. She was confident on ethics, energy, taxes and spending...and after establishing her policy bona fides, she went after Obama. There's nothing more brutally effective than attack-dog lines delivered with a smile and a cute accent. The Democrats and media made a major mistake belittling her this weekend - their actions only set her up to knock one out of the park, and she did. It was like watching Marge Gunderson take down Jerry Lundegaard with extreme prejudice.
And the family, including the fiance and father of her daughter's baby showing up on stage? That was just a defiant challenge to the media.
The true measure of how effective this speech was may be the Obama camp's weak response - it was written by a Bush speechwriter! Weak, Barry...very weak.
Oh, and little Piper Palin licking her hand and straightening her little brother's hair? Priceless.
Posted by slublog at September 3, 2008 11:26 PM
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Comments
Really, really liked Rudy's speech. The others I had the television on and was kinda paying attention, but not really. Then when he started, I started listening. And I had (idiot) MSNBC on, bec. they had the countdown time to her speech in the corner of the screen, and one time when he said something and there was applause, Keith Olbermann started talking like the speech was over. Geez.
Then when she came on I sat and watched and listened. Absolutely super. I don't care who wrote it, they did a good job, but she was the one out there and she definitely delivered a great speech.
And I do think Miss Piper is the one to watch. She is personality plus.
Posted by: Kath at September 4, 2008 06:02 AM
Slublog: Photoshop idea - have Sarah standing in front of a fireplace, foot on bear skin rug with Biden's mug and a frightened deer head over the mantle with Obambi's mug.
Posted by: Murph at September 4, 2008 11:07 AM
I was totally impressed last night as well. I think the Dems are shaking in their boots now and they are just searching for crap to sling. It's gonna be a tough race now that Palin is on the ticket and conservatives are excited about her.
Posted by: Esther at September 4, 2008 11:47 AM
The Left has proven in recent days that NOTHING is "over the top" in reference to them and their ruthless designs on everyone's freedoms, and their Marxist use of a compliant MSM to do so. There is NOTHING "bad" that can be said about them that isn't actually proven true, and recently so.
Posted by: J David at September 4, 2008 12:33 PM
...Oh, and RedState is saying that her's and Giulani's teleprompters malfunctioned, and they both were "winging" significant portions of their speeches.
Posted by: J David at September 4, 2008 12:35 PM
It was a triumphant speech delivered with a smile. One of the best - if not the best - political speeches since Reagan.
Finally, I'm excited about this campaign cycle! Sarah!
Posted by: Kris, in New England at September 4, 2008 04:30 PM