Joel Strom
The First Black President, Bill Clinton
For whatever cockamamie reason, Bill Clinton has been coined the first Black President, a label he has certainly embraced with vigor and pride. Remarkably, his Black supporters have blindly allowed this hollow descriptive to remain in vogue until only recently; his words and deeds on behalf of his wife’s bid to stop the man who may become the Second Black President have finally dimmed Bill’s star within the Black community. Others may choose to debate whether or not Mr. Clinton was truly the first Black President. I prefer to focus my attention on whether Mr. Obama is truly the first Black Bill Clinton.
I am no fan of the former President. But it does not take a fan to recognize his past prowess on the campaign trail. He could weave a story, connect with an audience, and convince those around him that he felt their pain in a manner unmatched by 99% of his fellow politicians. When he spoke to someone, I am told, he made you feel as if nothing else in the world mattered to him, or to his target. The same could be said of Mr. Obama.
Clinton was most comfortable giving a rousing speech in front of huge crowds, akin to a preacher cajoling his minions to rise up and re-take the country from those who did not really deserve the fruits of their own labors - the wealthy, the successful. The same could be said of Mr. Obama. And for that matter, his wife as well. But let’s leave that one alone for now.
Most pundits hypothesized that we would never see another one like him, conveniently neglecting to remember that Ronald Reagan preceded Clinton by a mere four years. But now, we are witness to the rise of another articulate connector. Another teleprompter king. Another change agent. A man, not FROM Hope, but promising a NEW hope. Most notably, however, another possible Black President!
Of course, it was ridiculous from the start to call Bill Clinton the first Black President. If I were Black, I imagine I would have taken great offense to a rather obvious Caucasian politician who encouraged and accepted that label. Personally flattering no doubt, it fed the ego of someone who desperately wanted a legacy. But this year’s fist-to-fist battle between Mr. Clinton’s wife and Senator Obama has caused much angst in the Black community. So much so, that over 90% is voted for his wife’s opponent.
So what of Obama? Whether he becomes the First or Second Black President, he has certainly laid claim to the mantle of being the First Black Bill Clinton. His magical way with words, his soaring rhetoric and belief that he can negotiate peace with our enemies rings a familiar tune. He promises a new path to bring our self-described enemies to their collective knees simply treating them with greater respect. But Mr. Clinton tried that and results included the Intifada, the USS Cole and 9/11.
Yes, Mr. Obama is remarkably Clintonesque. Words flow off his tongue with the greatest of ease. Like Clinton, his own wife is of strong opinion sometimes causing Obama to place his hand on hers during joint interviews as a gentle reminder to “tone it down a bit”. Strong women, in and of themselves, are darn good partners both in the personal and the political worlds. Yet one gets the feeling that like Mrs. Clinton before her, Michelle Obama wields a strong opinion in her husband’s public decision-making.
Mr. Obama’s foreign policy team, while dominated by Carterites, will clearly follow a path similar to Clinton’s. Thus, when a potential enemy declares war on the US (as UBL did in 1998), we can expect another ho-hum, they cannot really be serious approach. A definitive example of this was Sandy Berger who counseled Clinton against capturing or killing Osama after he declared war on us in 1998 only to be surprised that Osama actually followed through on that threat. Flash forward and listen to Obama, who despite Ahmindinejad’s clear warning to the West and Israel, a President Obama plans to chat, without precondition, even as Ahmindinejad aids in the killing of our soldiers in Iraq and threatens our staunch ally Israel with annihilation. Should we expect anything other than trouble, perhaps far worse than the Intifada in 2000?
Only time will tell. If he ever has the opportunity to place his hand on the Bible, all bets are off. He may be John Kennedy or Harry Truman. But to this observer, what comes to mind in watching Senator Obama as he takes his Clintonesque talk show on the road is his striking resemblance to the previous Democrat President himself.
This is quite surprising isn’t’ it? A country supposedly not yet ready for just one Black President”, may just have two in a mere 10 years?
The Case for November 2008 Presidential Election
The internet is full of op/ed written by opinion leaders who with both clarity and certainty believe that Barack Obama will be either good or bad for America, good or bad for Israel, and good or bad for our standing in the world.
As for this commentator, I can no more predict whether Barack Obama will be a good President, a mediocre President or a poor President than the weatherman can predict tomorrow’s weather. I have no idea whether he will be good or bad for Israel for that matter. And with all due respect to thoughtful people who dot our political landscape, I just don’t see how they can be so certain about their convictions. After all, Barack Obama has no record in foreign policy by which we can remotely evaluate his abilities, tenacity or accomplishments. Contrasted to a Hillary Clinton, an Evan Bayh, Sam Nunn or even Joe Biden, Obama is a foreign policy neophyte whose professorial rhetoric might sound promising on the campaign trail. But when the chips are down and there is no time for thoughtful rumination, what will he do? Will he rise to become the next Harry Truman or fester in indecision to be the second term of Jimmy Carter?
Since that 1980 election, many of my formerly fellow Democrats voted Republican for the first time in their lives, unable to find comfort in the policies of the new Democrat Party as espoused by Carter. The growth of Jewish support within the GOP has grown steadily since. I believe the overriding reason is due to our evolving view of the dangers in the world and the realization that negotiation without strength, without threat of force and the occasional use of force, are pure folly. Nearly every cycle since that time we have seen candidates who pledge to fix the world through negotiation and peace talks instead of building a strong military. This time is no different. We have one candidate who supports a strong defense, and one who in his own words wants to reduce our military capacity through reductions in missile technology, nuclear capacity and 7 others directives.
Having said all of that, I have made my choice in the coming Election. I will vote for John McCain. I will do so for a number of reasons, not the least of which is his opponent’s aforementioned glaring lack of a record, on both domestic and foreign policy. As with many conservatives of my generation, it is the latter that has dominated our thought process and voting pattern at least since 1978, when the first overt declaration of war against the US was made by radical Islamists, on our revered weekly “news” magazine, 60 Minutes no less. Speaking with the fawning interviewer, then-Paris resident, Ayatollah Khomeini declared his intention to overthrow the Shah of Iran and begin a lifelong death march to destroy the Western World. The President of the US at that time, Jimmy Carter, did nothing, but ruminate. He had been elected to “change” American politics and help us regain our standing in the world. His naiveté in dealing with a tyrant who pledged to destroy Israel and the West, led to the capturing of our Embassy and the holding of American hostages, giving the newly-formed Shia-led government the first tangible victory against the West and brought America to its knees.
What does that have to do with today and our looming Election? Everything. Barack Obama, like Carter before him, is seeking “change” in our foreign policy. Change indeed, to pull back on the strength and military side and go back to our earlier approach to fighting terrorism through peaceful negotiations. Barack Obama, like Carter before him, believes that we should talk to our deadliest enemies without pre-condition. Barack Obama, like Carter before him, believes the UN is our best hope of finding peace in the world. Barack Obama, like Carter before him, speaks nary a sentence about the dangers of radical Islam even though we don’t even need good intelligence to see it; their leaders both in the US and all over the world say it in public without hesitation – Islam will overthrow the US whether it takes a year or a century. Americans who don’t see this (and almost always cite people such as me as being fear-mongerers or Islamaphobes) believe that America is to blame for much of the hatred against us and share Obama’s pastor’s long held belief that “the chickens are coming home to roost”. Not me.
On the home front, Barack Obama plans are in direct contradistinction to Lincoln’s admonition that “you cannot help the poor by punishing the rich” and that “you cannot help the poor by doing for them what they can do for themselves”. To prove the point, he has made concrete promises such as giving free college tuition to those earning less than a certain amount, giving cash to those who don’t even pay taxes, give a tax cut to those earning less than a certain amount, give universal health care to everyone. He has not stopped there as he has also made promises more global and theoretical such as the stunning claim that “people will remember 2008 as the year when the oceans stopped rising…”. And who is going to pay for all of this? Correct, only the richest amongst us. Pure unadulterated class warfare.
Witness, during a debate with Hillary Clinton, Brian Williams asked Obama if he understood that raising taxes results in a net loss to the federal treasury and that lowering them has historically brought in more net funds to the federal coffers. Obama agreed. So Williams then asked, “do you still support raising capital gains taxes?” To which Obama incredulously answered “Yes…….because it is the fair thing to do”. That statement, and all of its implications, are stunning. While some will call me unfair, isn’t that the definition of socialism? A President who will make decisions based upon his own assessment (in this case, people and small businesses earning more than $250,000 are considered rich) of what is fair as opposed to what is best for all of us? Not the type of leader I want to follow.
Lastly, much is being made about McCain’s choice of VP. It is said that Sarah Palin has no experience in fact, Obama’s official Jewish supporters group says, “For Senator McCain to elevate someone with zero foreign policy experience and no record on Israel to the Vice Presidency is disconcerting at best to those of us who care deeply about the strong U.S.-Israel relationship and America’s standing in the world.” That statement on its face is just pure political garbage; Obama himself has no record on Israel and zero foreign policy and he will be the President from Day 1. They say that Palin is just a heartbeat away from the Presidency, yet Obama, with even less experience in a public executive role IS the heartbeat.
They fear that she will impose her religion on others, yet there is no record of her doing anything close to that in her public roles. They fear she does not support Israel, even though it is Obama who has the anti-Semitic friends, chose to join an anti-Israel, anti-American church and sat there for 20 years in a place that foments anti-Israel sentiment without a peep. They fear her references to God even though it was Obama who had the lengthy speech about his religion and what it means to him. They fear she won’t be there for Israel when it counts, yet it is Obama who is endorsed by Hamas’ political wing and remained in a church that honored Jew-hating Louis Farrakahn. The list goes on.
So after much reflection and consideration, I cannot take the chance that Obama, despite his lack of proven executive experience, will indeed be the next Harry Truman or Ronald Reagan. Israel cannot afford to take that chance. And that is why I am supporting a longtime, proven friend of Israel, John McCain. He has been tested in the harshest of circumstances and made decisions under great duress that show his conviction and strength. As for Obama, I have no idea how he will respond.
But you can always ask the weatherman.
Bush Backs Away From Israel
One of the likely differences likely to emanate from the election results this year would be if and how the US would help Israel defend herself in the event she believes Iran is serious about an attack on Israel. Seems the US has pulled back a bit and likely McCain and Obama would handle in different manners. Obama less likely to allow Israel airspace or air refueling capacity in favor or more diplomacy and McCain to allow either or both.
(Anybody hear the drums of war beginning to beat?)
Last update - 14:34 11/09/2008
Israel asks U.S. for arms, air corridor to attack Iran
By Amos Harel and Aluf Benn, Haaretz Correspondents
The security aid package the United States has refused to give Israel for
the past few months out of concern that Israel would use it to attack
nuclear facilities in Iran included a large number of “bunker-buster” bombs,
permission to use an air corridor to Iran, an advanced technological system
and refueling planes.
Officials from both countries have been discussing the Israeli requests over
the past few months. Their rejection would make it very difficult for Israel
to attack Iran, if such a decision is made.
About a month ago, Haaretz reported that the Bush administration had turned
down an Israeli request for certain security items that could upgrade
Israel’s capability to attack Iran. The U.S. administration reportedly saw
the request as a sign preparations were moving ahead for an Israeli attack
on Iran.
Diplomatic and security sources indicated to Haaretz that the list of
components Israel included:
Bunker-buster GBU-28 bombs: In 2005, the U.S. said it was supplying these
bombs to Israel. In August 2006, The New York Times reported that the U.S.
had expedited the dispatch of additional bombs at the height of the Second
Lebanon War. The bombs, which weigh 2.2 tons each, can penetrate six meters
of reinforced concrete. Israel appears to have asked for a relatively large
number of additional bunker-busters, and was turned down.
Air-space authorization: An attack on Iran would apparently require passage
through Iraqi air space. For this to occur, an air corridor would be needed
that Israeli fighter jets could cross without being targeted by American
planes or anti-aircraft missiles. The Americans also turned down this
request. According to one account, to avoid the issue, the Americans told
the Israelis to ask Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki for permission,
along the lines of “If you want, coordinate with him.”
Refueling planes. An air attack on Iran would require refueling of fighter
jets on the way back. According to a report on Channel 10 a few weeks ago,
the U.S. rejected an Israeli request for more advanced refueling tankers, of
the Boeing 767 model.
The refueling craft the Israel Air Force now uses are very outmoded,
something that make it difficult to operate at long distances from Israel.
Even if the Americans were to respond favorably to such a request, the
process could take a few years.
The IDF recently reported that it is overhauling a Boeing 707 that
previously served as the prime minister’s plane to serve as a refueling
aircraft.
Advanced technological systems. The Israeli sources declined to give any
details on this point.
The Israeli requests were discussed during President George W. Bush’s visit
to Israel in May, as well as during Defense Minister Ehud Barak’s visit to
Washington in July. In a series of meetings at a very senior level,
following Bush’s visit, the Americans made clear to the Israelis that for
now they are sticking to the diplomatic option to halt the Iranian nuclear
project and that Jerusalem does not have a green light from Washington for
an attack on Iran.
However, it appears that in compensation for turning down Israel’s
“offensive” requests, the U.S. has agreed to strengthen its defensive
systems.
During the Barak visit, it was agreed that an advanced U.S. radar system
would be stationed in the Negev, and the order to send it was made at that
time. The system would double to 2,000 kilometers the range of
identification of missiles launched from the direction of Iran, and would be
connected to an American early warning system.
The system is to be operated by American civilians as well as two American
soldiers. This would be the first permanent U.S. force on Israeli soil.
A senior security official said the Americans were preparing “with the
greatest speed” to make good on their promise, and the systems could be
installed within a month.
The Israeli security source said he believed Washington was moving ahead
quickly on the request because it considered it very important to restrain
Israel at this time.
At the beginning of the year, the Israeli leadership still considered it a
reasonable possibility that Bush would decide to attack Iran before the end
of his term.
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, in private discussions, even raised the
possibility that the U.S. was considering an attack in the transition period
between the election in November and the inauguration of the new president
in January 2009.
However, Jerusalem now assumes that likelihood of this possibility is close
to nil, and that Bush will use the rest of his time in office to strengthen
what he defines as the Iraqi achievement, following the relative success of
American efforts there over the past year and a half.
CFLs More Dangerous Than You Were Told.
Collaboration with Dr Joel Strom
Even a single CFL could provide toxic levels of exposure for mercury - babies and pets at biggest risks
The CFL bulbs’ poisonous innards pose a much bigger threat to health and the environment than previously thought. Each one contains 5 milligrams or Mercury - enough to poison 6,000 gallons of water. Even the Low-mercury models have about one-sixth of the amount, but that’s still enough to contaminate 1,000 gallons. As long as the mercury is contained in the bulb, CFLs are perfectly safe but, of course eventually they burn out or break. I had one of the things burn out after only a few hours of use and was told I have to take it to a hazardous disposal center.
Turns out CFL’s are one of the most toxic components of a household. The mercury they contain causes kidney and brain damage when people get exposed to enough of it.
If you break an incandescent bulb sweep it up, and try not to step on a shard of glass with bare feet and put another one in. Here’s how people need to handle a broken CFL:
- 1. Open a window and leave the room for at least 15 minutes or more.
- 2. Shut off the central forced-air heating/air conditioning system, if you have one.
- 3. Carefully scoop up glass fragments and powder using stiff paper or cardboard and place them in a glass jar with metal lid (such as a canning jar) or in a sealed plastic bag.
- 4. Use sticky tape, such as duct tape, to pick up any remaining small glass fragments and powder.
- 5. Wipe the area clean with damp paper towels or disposable wet wipes and place them in the glass jar or plastic bag.
- 6. Do not use a vacuum or broom to clean up the broken bulb on hard surfaces.
- 7. Immediately place all cleanup materials outside the building in a trash container or outdoor protected area for the next normal trash. Wash your hands after disposing of the jars or plastic bags containing cleanup materials.
- 8. Check with your local or state government about disposal requirements in your specific area. Some states prohibit such trash disposal and require that broken and unbroken lamps be taken to a recycling center.
- 9. For at least the next few times you vacuum, shut off the central forced-air heating/air conditioning system and open a window prior to vacuuming.
- 10. Keep the central heating/air conditioning system shut off and the window open for at least 15 minutes after vacuuming is completed.
CFL boosters had previously dismissed safety and environmental concerns. But now researches worry about the collective effect their massive disposal will have on landfills once they start failing in large numbers:
It will be an enormous amount of mercury that’s going to enter the waste stream at present with no preparation for it..
Minnesota requires non-functioning CFLs be taken to a disposal center certified to handle them
What’s next - lead containers to replace Tupperware?
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED……NO REALLY…….THIS TIME, MISSION ACCOMPLISHED
From Joel Strom, RNC delegate, via Richard.
Too much happened tonight to go through a chronological recap. I am just overcome with joy, tears, respect and hope, yes hope. And while hope in and of itself never cuts it, I think this hope is backed up with a rational belief that our guy and gal trumps the other guys. Contrast the speakers, the players, the family members with the DNC. How many longtime friends came up to speak about Obama, about his integrity, his humble leadership, or his accomplishments? Maybe can count on one hand. But enough about Obama.
So what was the mission of this convention? In my view, it was fourfold:
introduce this intriguing VP selection, Sarah Palin
call into question the readiness and philosophy of the other guy
make sure the American public, especially the independent and undecided voters, know the man, John McCain, his lifetime of public service, transformative years in a POW camp, his soul
unite the Party and energize it for the two-month campaign
Who can question the success of his selection and introduction of the next Vice-President of the United States? Covered a bit last night, but with 24-hour hindsight, even my unfettered enthusiasm was not adequate to describe the true boost Governor Palin gives to this ticket. Not only did we see a $10,000,000 boost in campaign online fundraising, but the smiles on the faces of all delegates along with the concerned looks of talking heads across the spectrum said it all. What a star.
Starting last night and continuing tonight, albeit with a little less red meat, speaker after speaker asked “where’s the beef” when it comes to Barack Obama. Great speaker, great promises, but no way, no how, can he deliver. And G-d help us if he could…higher taxes, more regulation, government run health care, unilateral reduction in military readiness, appeasement, you name it. From Rudy to Romney, from Thompson to Huckabee and to a red hot Graham tonight, Barack Obama was grilled in absentia. Now, the Dems will immediately yell “divisiveness”, “more of the same”, “swift boating”. But their expected charges will only show their nervousness, their inability to counteract the charges with facts. So, check off the second bullet.
Tonight, the riveting nature of Senator McCain’s own words about his capture, his internment, torture and transformation, were the difference from a B+ convention to the A it now earns. Speaker after speaker tonight, including Cindy’s wonderful words to us, plus the brilliantly packaged life history pieces, referred to McCain’s life and change related to his POW years, but face it, very few have heard McCain in his own words, hesitant at times to reveal the pain. What struck me as the most potentially helpful in peeling off undecided voters was McCain’s willingness to reveal his narcissistic years and his eventual transformation which occurred only after being nursed back to life by fellow soldiers whom he barely knew. Truly heart stopping, something no open-minded American could have listened to without tears, without feeling that this guy has faced death, faced hurdles very few men have cleared. Surely, he can lead this country to better times. So much for the third bullet.
You did not have to be on the floor tonight to feel the love, the energy, the pre-game pep rally spirit. Even the CNN team had to give the RNC planning team its just desserts. Had someone told me a few months ago that the Republicans would be more united than the Dems on Sept 5th, I would have called up the funny farm to pick him up. But lo and behold, here we are on September 5th and with the Hillary/Obama split (despite their attempts to conceal or convince otherwise) and the Palin pick, it is certainly reasonable to pick the Republicans as the unified Party, not the Dems. And that is always a good sign for victory. McCain’s speech, while not filled with the red meat of others, not a sweeping panorama of an Obama speech, and not filled with attractive yet impossible promises, was more than serviceable. It was unifying and revealing. It was what he needed to do. A bit light on specifics in my opinion (I would have preferred a bit more on contrasting policy philosophies), but there is always time to do that post convention. So, you could say, fourth bullet accomplished.
In sum, most people who know me expect me to offer up a tough critique of most RNC actions. But this time, I’ve got to give the organizers their kudos. From the last minute changes due to Gustav, the somewhat unexpected pick of Palin, the sometimes inclement weather, the rather violent anarchist protestors, and the tough tasks outlined above, nothing negative from me. The RNC team accomplished their goals in extremely difficult Republican political times and with high hurdles to clear. Job well done. Or should we say….MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!
Palin……Palin……a little bit of Rudy…….Palin…..Palin
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
Tuesday Midnight Report from RNC
Rainy night in St Paul
Tuesday……rain, CA delegation meeting…. RJC event…..convention
Hello again from the rainy Midwest. The natives are quite friendly but the alien invaders seem a bit restless today. The distances between events is perilously long for anyone trying to stick to a schedule. Nice concept to hold convention events in twin cities, but in reality, a day cannot go by without either an expensive cab ride or a lengthy shuttle bus journey. The Target Center is quite distant from the two California hotels, the Sofitel and Sheraton, but even the distance is not dampening the growing energy that marks this day.
On the persistent media asking questions about Sarah Palin’s daughter mar the seemingly energized early morning. In the bar, in the hallways, in the elevators, waiting for the buses. They are like gophers (pardon the Minnesota pun) that pop up everywhere. Persistent little buggers.
First thing this morning, some folks took a leisurely five mile run around one of the many local small lakes. The heavy rain that began during the run was refreshing. California’s delegation, the largest at the Convention, had a wonderful brunch at the Lafayette Club while listening to featured speakers, Frank Luntz and Hugh Hewitt.
Oh, and did I mention the gophers, sorry, reporters, asking about Sarah Palin’s daughter? Still asking. Waiting with impatience for that one delegate who will say something terribly embarrassing. Still waiting as of noon.
The convention opens with the most resounding renditions of the Star Spangled Banner I have heard in recent years and it brought the crowd to a roar. You could feel the energy in the room, anticipating the evening speakers, especially former Democrat nominee, Joe Lieberman. Word was the President will be introduced by Laura Bush and that’s exactly what happened. Laura ticked off a few of the accomplishments of her husband, most of which have either been long forgotten or never remembered. After a brief address by George W., a tribute to Ronald Reagan brought some tears, but also pride as up stepped former Presidential candidate Fred Thompson.
He spoke highly of both Palin and McCain. The crowd clearly, not seemingly too upset by the media gophers mentioned above rose to their feet in support of Governor Palin. Thompson did a great job of introducing the John McCain that the media seems to have forgotten, or maybe just never remembered. Tears of pride drenched the convention and it was the supreme hope that enough Americans listened to, or witnessed the televised speech so that they would understand the difference between speaking of honor and judgment and living honor and dignity. Time and time again, Thompson cited McCain’s ability and willingness to buck the system, even his own political mentor, Party icon, Ronald Reagan. Quite simply, this was one of the most effective, rousing intro/support speeches I have ever heard.
Believe it or not, there was a break in the Sarah Palin’s daughter questions during the speech.
Next up, former Dem VP Joe Lieberman. Must be one of the only times a former Dem ticket member addressed a Rep convention. A more than warm welcome to a man who has the same backbone of his good friend, Senator McCain. Asking the question, “what in the world is a Democrat like me doing at a Republican gathering like this”? He followed that question with a strong message to Independents and Dems – Obama is clearly not ready to lead our country, nor does he have the ability to bring us together even though he talks incessantly of change and unity. Now, I would guess most of the delegates would not want Lieberman on the ticket, they clearly have taken a liking to this man.
At the end of the evening, a new energy filled air and dare I say a new hope beat in the hearts of the delegates. Seeing no protestors this time, everyone departed the Center somehow a bit lighter, far more optimistic and ready for the next two nights.
God knows this spirit will not be reported. And sure as shootin’ there will be some reporter back at the hotel ready to ask us about Sarah Palin’s daughter…….
Goodnight from Minnesota
Report from St. Paul at RNC Sent by Joel Strom
Sarah Palin news…..Laura Bush….anarchists and the secret service….life in the bowels of media workspace of Al Jazeera
Seems the only question being asked by the media today was “what about Sarah Palin’s daughter”, “don’t you think that Republicans are hypocrites for supporting a woman whose daughter is pregnant outside of marriage” and on and on. This is completely unsurprising of course, but one would think that at some point, just a precious few would feel just a bit embarrassed with their tabloid questioning - certainly more important questions to ask (perhaps energy, security, leadership, substance). In case you are wondering, nearly all delegates in the California delegation handled these questions with class and clarity – fully supportive of our VP candidate, anyone who has children knows that being a parent carries with it much concern and love and we wish the family well in helping their daughter bring the child to a healthy birth.
Laura Bush, as usual, was great. She was warmly received, delivered an impassioned request for us to help others, to serve others and to always use the best in us to do for our country. Other than the First Lady’s eloquent remarks, the remainder of the convention was a meandering moments of speeches and mulling on the floor. Lots of bodies searching for food and water (anyone remember NY?). Many seats were empty, but not sure if that was because of low attendance or just the rare occasion when the there actually were more seats than attendees.Overall, not the same mood as previous convention, subdued excitement would likely be the best two words I can muster.
Our bus ride to the convention was unusually lengthy. No one seemed to know why it took 45 minutes to travel to the convention center. The bus traveled at speed approaching 20 miles an hour, yes 20 miles an hour! Turns out, secret service had something to do with it. Apparently, the compassionate and patriotic left had some plans in mind for not only our delegation, but for each and every visitor to the Target Center. During the morning caucus, it was explained to us that the “anarchists” had created some credible threats to our safety. The demonstrations at the Center were, indeed, quite rough and in a change from previous conventions, including, I believe, the recent Democrat convention, demonstrators were allowed to be within shouting distance of the convention site. This created a most difficult obstacle course for convention goers. Of course, such an event is not complete without such intolerant behavior.
Our delegation communications director, Charles Moran, asked me to do an interview on Al Jazeera English. After asking him if he was serious and if he just did not like me, or if he just wanted to ruin any chance I had to run for political office, I agreed to do the interview. I did not know that Al Jazeera English is connected to NBC News, but found that out once we entered the workspace shared by the two networks, deep inside the lower level of the Target Center’s basement. Had an interesting conversation with the show’s host, Riz Khan, an Indian-born, Brit with a deep resonating voice. We talked issues from the Israeli-Arab conflict to Sarah Palin’s nomination. After receiving a complimentary coffee mug we left for the interview in the Associated Press skybox. The convention had long since emptied so not a soul was observing. Questions were fairly routine, one coming on a call from Nigeria about Sarah Palin’s daughter. Amazing, isn’t it, that with all the problems facing the African continent that the call coming in from that region of the world is more concerned about Sarah Palin’s daughter than AIDS or Sudan?
More tomorrow.
Joel
Sunday RNC Delegate Report by Joel Strom
Report from the RNC in St, Paul, Minnesota. And I thought “change” was the operative word of the DNC!
Immediately upon arrival we heard that “change” was afoot; as hurricane Gustav ambled slowly across the Caribbean, it became more apparent that this RNC would need some radical adjustments if we were to demonstrate the true concern and compassion truly felt by most every delegate here in the Twin Cities.
Rumors abounded in every nook and cranny of our California hotel, the Sheraton South in Bloomington (more on the hotel later). But even though the changes announced today were meant to maximize the huge opportunity we had to help, the convention planners could not overlook the like media lambasting of a rich, cold-hearted, incompetent GOP partying the night away while our Southern brethren suffer the displacement and suffering caused by another gulf hurricane.
Obama would no doubt follow suit. By the way, where was B.O., yesterday and today — campaigning shamelessly while the potentially devastating storm was barreling towards the Big Easy.
What I heard……….Convention goers to a person agreed that the bulk of the convention parties and high-visible pro GOP speeches would have to be curtailed or eliminated. The initial excitement of being together for the quadrennial social and political gathering was blunted a bit as people followed the storm and the changes it would bring both in Minnesota and down South. Delegates from LA and MS were surprisingly upbeat and prepared. McCain offered a chartered plane to return delegates to their homes yet just about every one stayed to complete their work, represent their state, managing their families from afar. Just heard that the actual first night session has been canceled – no Bush, no Cheney, no prime time speeches – only early afternoon business session that is required for us to actually nominate a Presidential candidate.
Palin……..I kid you not, not one, not one single doubter or even a ho-hum over this pick. Found out on the plane from our state Finance Director, Cassandra Vandenberg, that the campaign raked in $4.5 million the day after the announcement ON THE INTERNET! So, all in all I think we are doing well with our pick. Everyone is anxious to see her here in Minnesota. With any luck, the changes to the schedule will not preclude Governor Palin from appearing and speaking at prime time.
And finishing off with that “change” word again…..delegates are scoffing or laughing every time they hear a Democrat say that they represent “change” while McCain’s selection of Palin represents more of the same. Now do you really think that will poll well??? If it does I think we need to “change” our pollsters!
More tomorrow. Your humble reporter, Delegate Joel Strom