Posted on 09/07/2008 5:54:33 AM PDT by kellynla
SAMUEL Augustus Maverick, Texas rancher of the 1840s, is proudly sitting up in his grave. His name, which has become an eponymous American word, was cited repeatedly at last week’s unexpectedly enthusiastic Republican convention.
“I’ve been called a maverick,” John McCain told his rounded-up party. “Sometimes it’s meant as a compliment; sometimes it’s not.” True enough: old Sam Maverick’s friends said he refused to brand his cattle because it was cruel to animals; competing ranchers said it let him round up and claim all the unbranded cattle in the neighborhood. In an era that has sophisticates displaying designers’ initials, the Americanism maverick now means “one who bears no man’s brand,” or in McCain’s evocation of Thoreau’s metaphor, “marches to the beat of his own drum.”
The Op-Ed page editors yanked this former speechwriter back into harness to assess convention speeches, so here goes:
At the Democrats’ gathering in Denver, the best burst of unremarked writing was the loving introduction of Senator Joe Biden by his son: powerful testimony to the lifelong fidelity of a father after family tragedy. The TV camera’s reaction shot of Michelle Obama wiping authentic tears from her eyes and cheeks was to me the convention’s most moving image.
As opined in this space last week, Barack Obama’s speech the final night brought hosannas from the faithful, but — encumbered by its pretentious stadium setting — did not meet his high rhetorical standard. About the only member of the punditariat who agreed that this season’s emperor of oratory was short on clothes that night was David Broder of The Washington Post, who had the unfair advantage of being objective.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
Did Bill get a little too close to the flux capacitor? Graham said some positive things about defense, but "best delivery"? We were cracking up here because he sounded like our dweeby genius six-year-old lecturing the cats.
Too clever by half, but I think Safire gets it.
Let's play hide the metaphor!
So, Bill, when did you start taking Prolix?
I’da thought he might mention Rudy’s address — talk about a happy warrior!
He’s all wrong about Maverick. Or maybe he just doesn’t care if he’s wrong.
The Mavericks were from Massachusetts.
He came to Texas and decided that all unbranded calves in his area were his, even if they were running with a mama cow that had his neighbor’s brand.
So people started calling all unbranded cattle running loose ‘Mavericks’. In other words he grabbed up anything that was loose.
But I don’t think Safire cares one way or another.
Note here the acceptance - as a given - that the press is not only partisan but willingly uses its access and power to settle personal differences and "get even" for slights real or perceived.
Graham was perhaps the worst speech ever given. Good grief there was Thompson, Huck and Rudy that gave outstanding speeches and McCain gave a very good speech.
Sorry bill, go back to retirement rather than sticking up for your duds in the Establishment press. They hate Sarah cause they hate us.
Pray for W, McCuda and Our Troops
Rudy was the best speech, I think. He was at the top of his game, quick and sharp and obviously having a great time.
Rudy was WOW, he could do Stand-up comedy any time he wants. Just a great speaker and a fantastic speech.
Pray for W, McCuda and Our Troops
And he was just as good cutting the media-twits off at the knees. He’ll be wonderful on the campaign trail, now that he’s pushing a winning message.
They hate Sarah because they hate CHRISTIANS....same reason they DESPISED Bush.
Funny!
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