Palin……Palin……a little bit of Rudy…….Palin…..Palin

September 4th, 2008 • Dr Joel Strom

Hockey Mom's Have a Heart Too

Joel Strom Reports About Wed Night at RNC

Any concern that the GOP convention would lack energy, was assuaged today.  Throughout the day, buttons proclaiming McCain/Palin, A Hoosier Voter for the Hot Gal, Hockey Mom for Palin and more adorned delegates from Florida to Alaska.  Even the reporters questions about the Palin’s daughter quieted down.   Of course, the lack of distasteful questions in this vein were not replaced by issue-oriented, substantive questions either;  today it was “how can you support someone with no record” or “do you think it is wise for her to run for VP with all those kids” (hint, hint, do they mean that a woman can’t do both?).  If it weren’t for the high stakes that lie ahead, I could actually laugh about it.  In truth, it is not funny at all.

The excitement in the air was resounding even though the evening started out a bit on the restless side.  Another great musical opening with delegates mulling around the convention floor and others looking for the few drinking fountains or vending machines that worked. Clearly, the GOP needs to work on the on-site food service at our conventions.  Last time in NYC, there was one single cafeteria open for business for the entire place.  Aside from a couple of pretzel and soda stands, that was it. This time, a few more choices, but long lines and lack of choice were the order of the week.

Many speakers paraded to the microphone. Favorite, Norm Coleman, running against Al Franken livened the hometown crowd a bit, but the real excitement began to build as the much awaited appearance by Sarah Palin neared.  Mitt Romney started out the red meat portion of the convention with some relatively mild comments about the other candidate’s lack of experience and record. While mild to this observer, no doubt, the thinner-skinned Obama team were probably shifting a bit in their chairs.   Mike Huckabee followed with more pointed remarks and likely had my favorite quote of the day….”I am not a Republican because I grew up rich. I am a Republican because I didn’t  want to spend the rest of my life poor waiting for the government to rescue me.

Again, the Obama team was likely beginning to get the idea that this was going to be a rough night on their guy.  The rest of the evening certainly did not disappoint.

Up stepped a smiling Rudy Giuliani.  And down came the house…..jab after jab, all with a smile. Right jab, left hook….One left hook that really stung was when Rudy recalled Barack’s three day decision-journey when Russia invaded Georgia. While the crowd roared in agreement, he recounted how Obama first said that both sides ought to practice restraint, then the next day, he suggested going to the UN Security Council (which he forgot included a defiant Russia), and then adopted McCain’s position.  Ticking them off one by one, Rudy illustrated Obama’s ability to take both sides of an issue all within the same week.  He spoke to AIPAC and promised a united Jerusalem under Israeli rule, but the next day told an Arab audience that he would support a divided Jerusalem.  He promised to take public funding and abide by spending limits, but changed his mind on that one too. The list was long and Rudy was a perfect pit bull (more on that later) for the job.

Enter Sarah Palin…..composed, firm, in control of the moment, one could feel the MSNBC reporters’ hopes for a face plant being dashed almost instantly.  She covered everything she needed to…personal history, introduce family, establish toughness, touch on foreign policy and energy, and be willing to mix it up.  As she asked the crowd, “what is the difference between a hockey mom and a pit bull”?…………
The lipstick!  She, indeed, was a pit bull with a smile……and glasses.   She addressed Israel, terrorism, energy, pork barrel spending, motherhood, developmentally disabled children and small town America. I believe her ability to connect with small town America will be her greatest asset to this ticket.  Obama and Biden are fond of saying that they represent the little guy, yet it will be Sarah Palin who will actually accomplish this task.

In listening to CNN, MSNBC, ABC, they all seemed a bit downcast.  I honestly think they expected a pratfall the likes of which we had not seen since Dan Quayle.  Well, surprise again.  I actually was impressed by CNN’s coverage as they pretty much agreed that Palin hit all her points and seemed a bit nervous about how well she  did.  Next up, overnight tracking polls to see if the initial reviews are reflected in society.

No Al Jazeera for me today.  Onward to tomorrow.

Joel

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