The Inevitable McCain Speech Thread

[Singularity]

I caught the speech from about the 1/3 mark to the end, and I have to say that I am impressed. I was also impressed with Obama, so it isn't like I'm suddenly switching my vote to McCain or anything. The bit at the end was what I thought was the most effective though. It was right along the same lines as Kennedy's "Ask Not What Your Country Can Do For You" speech. Really moving stuff about how every one of us should be trying to change the system from within in any way we can.

I did feel that the speech lagged in the middle, but I think he stuck to the high road by pointing out the contrast between him and Obama. The appeal to bipartisan rule seemed sincere, where it never did with Bush. Of course he has a history of working with Democrats towards common goals, so I think we can actually trust him on that.

Overall, I this he did well.

[PWD]

I'm gratified somewhat. I may hate the things the party has stood for, and I may hate that he's affiliated himself with some of the worst agents of that in order to make himself electable by them... but I still remember the days when I thought McCain could be a good president and I find it difficult to hate him.

I still believe the repubs need an epic whipping in the election to put them in their places, but I don't think McCain is necessarily the worst possible outcome the US could see. He may be many things but he's at least not Bush.

[Lisa Nadazdy]

I caught part of a Republicrat speech last night (I don't recall who), and he went on and on about how evil libruls are responsible for out-of-control spending, porkbarrel politics, bloated government and high taxes. Oh, yeah, I'm thinkin'- the Republicans had nothing to to do with any of that, eh? I had to change the channel before I threw something at the TV. :mad:

[Harry]

I caught part of a Republicrat speech last night (I don't recall who), and he went on and on about how evil libruls are responsible for out-of-control spending, porkbarrel politics, bloated government and high taxes. Oh, yeah, I'm thinkin'- the Republicans had nothing to to do with any of that, eh? I had to change the channel before I threw something at the TV. :mad:

That's an argument I get into with my father and a couple of friends all the time, when they blame everything gone wrong in the last 8 years on the liberals. In fact, two days ago the argument I was in was about how the filthy, stinking liberals were responsible, supposedly, for the creation of the Department of Homeland Security and the dismantling of FEMA. No, I'm not joking.

[Trainz]

That's an argument I get into with my father and a couple of friends all the time, when they blame everything gone wrong in the last 8 years on the liberals. In fact, two days ago the argument I was in was about how the filthy, stinking liberals were responsible, supposedly, for the creation of the Department of Homeland Security and the dismantling of FEMA. No, I'm not joking.

Your average person (not just american, PERSON, like everyone on the planet) is pretty fucking stupid. And this is why you get suicide bombers, sectarian violence, 14 yo chinese gymnasts, a provincial party in the federal line-up in canada, and the re-election of Bush.

Just accept it guys. It's the way of things.

[Harry]

*sigh*

Makes you kinda miss the good old days, when all the drooling, mouth breathing idiots were Democrats, don't it?

[AZRogue]

*sigh*

Makes you kinda miss the good old days, when all the drooling, mouth breathing idiots were Democrats, don't it?

I don't really think that either party can lay claim to more "mouth breathers" than the other. Some of them might be "stupid" on different issues, but I think there's plenty of stupid to go around.

[AZRogue]

Oh, and to bring this around back to the thread topic, was I the only one who thought that maybe Palin outshined McCain a bit? On his own ticket? I don't think I'm imagining it, watching the speech again. He gets some of the loudest applause when he mentions her.

Two possible reasons that I see, right off the bat: 1. She is more socially conservative (cringe) and resonates with the Republican base better than McCain, who is still remembered for not playing party ball all the time in the past. 2. Or, she is new and, after her speech last night, exciting enough to energize and give some members of the GOP hope.

Maybe a bit of both.

[Dr_Avalanche]

I think it's also a bit of a defense mechanism. McCain hasn't really come under fire the same way Palin has, so they might feel the need to vocalize their support more for her.

Dunno, just a thought.

[FeatsofClay]

The protestors obviously threw him off a bit. He handled that 'ground noise and static' bit like a pro but was obviouly becoming frustrated. When Slick Willy got frustrated you got great shit out of him. I saw a worry in McCain that he was going to forget the rest of his book report if it happened too much.

The protestors themselves made me wanna Taze them, Bro! There is a time and place for that. Inside the Repub Con. during the nominees speech is not it.

[obryn]

I didn't buy it.

A candidate has a good deal of control over his convention.

If he wanted to cut down the partisan rancor and reach across the aisle, why didn't he rein in the attack dogs on the first two days?

-O

[Utrecht]

Palin's speech was better - she is simply a better orator (for that matter Obama's was a lot better)

However, it has been known for quite some time that this style of communication is not his strong point.

As to the last two days - Obryn - it seems like you are not familiar with conventions - in both cases, the first couple of days have the dual role of attacking the opposition and telling the story of the nominee (look at the speeches last week - same thing occured)

What made this one even more jumbled was the dropping of the first day due to Gustav.

The biggest thing that I am struggling with is McCain's praising of Bush - why would he continue to link himself to Bush - man, I would have thrown Bush under the bus and explained how my presidencey represented a new kind of republicanism. However, by thanking Bush, he invites/encourages the line of McSame.

[obryn]

As to the last two days - Obryn - it seems like you are not familiar with conventions - in both cases, the first couple of days have the dual role of attacking the opposition and telling the story of the nominee (look at the speeches last week - same thing occured)
No, no - I'm familiar with conventions.

But if you say you are going to fight against politics as usual and reach across the aisle, you should probably ... well, not participate in politics as usual, and reach across the aisle.

Yep, the Dem convention was pretty rah-rah, too, but it had nowhere near the level of rancor and personal attacks as the Republican convention did. Heck, Palin's speech seemed to me like it had more attacks than the entire Dem convention put together.

-O

[Utrecht]

Yep, the Dem convention was pretty rah-rah, too, but it had nowhere near the level of rancor and personal attacks as the Republican convention did. Heck, Palin's speech seemed to me like it had more attacks than the entire Dem convention put together.

-O

Then you wern't listening - the dems surrogates were just as partisan and snipey as the repubs - they just coated it better - the republican party was deliberatly more populist than the democrats (which was more stately)

However, I do agree with you (for both parties) that if you are going to take the mantel of change - then why don't you change how you are doing things - the problem is, that both sides will do what it takes to win - figuring (rightly) that there is no prize for second place.

[Hatter]

Mike Murphy says that Palin is polarizing and will only win votes for people who already are going to vote for McCain. I tend to agree.

[obryn]

Then you wern't listening - the dems surrogates were just as partisan and snipey as the repubs - they just coated it better - the republican party was deliberatly more populist than the democrats (which was more stately)

However, I do agree with you (for both parties) that if you are going to take the mantel of change - then why don't you change how you are doing things - the problem is, that both sides will do what it takes to win - figuring (rightly) that there is no prize for second place.
How can I put this...

The Republican party, being the party in complete power for 6 of the past 8 years, and contributing to a gridlocked/filibustered/vetoed congress for the past 2 years, has to prove to me that they're really going to be the agents of change.

So yeah, they have to hit a higher standard for me right now.

-O

[AZRogue]

How can I put this...

The Republican party, being the party in complete power for 6 of the past 8 years, and contributing to a gridlocked/filibustered/vetoed congress for the past 2 years, has to prove to me that they're really going to be the agents of change.

So yeah, they have to hit a higher standard for me right now.

-O

I think that's fair. Talk is cheap. Both parties need to convince me that they're willing to do more than make speeches.