Posted on 02/25/2009 6:43:09 PM PST by trying17 (AKA DrGop0821)
"[T]he people on our side are really making a mistake if they go after Bobby Jindal on the basis of style. Because if you think — people on our side I’m talking to you — those of you who think Jindal was horrible, you think — in fact, I don’t ever want to hear from you ever again. … I’ve spoken to him numerous times, he’s brilliant. He’s the real deal." --Rush Limbaugh on his radio show today.
Sean Hannity was equally impressed with Gov. Jindal.
With all do respect, Rush and Sean, I politiely disagree. In my unscientific analysis of the blogs today, conservatives seem to be about 50/50 on Jindal's performance.
First, I like Bobby Jindal. I like his policy. I like his politics and I think he will no doubt emerge as one of the many fresh faces of conservatism for years to come.
I admire his life story: the hard-work, discipline and success that his parents and he have earned are truly a great American story and do, in fact, demonstrate that anything can happen in American. And he was much better this morning on "The Today Show".
With that said, he really sh*t the proverbial bed in his Republican Response to President Obama's address to Congress. Frankly, he was not very good at all.
I know, I know, everyone who gives the "Other Party Address" following at State of the Union is at a distinct disadvantage. Whether it's Barack Obama or George Bush; the stage, the backdrop, the drama and Great American Ambience provided by the Chambers of Congress are difficult to match.
But Gov. Jindal was flat out dry, boring and stiff. The speech itself was quite good, full of substance and stayed on message (full transcript below), but the delivery was uninspiring and did little to energize the Republican base and surely many people simply tuned him out or turned him off.
And, as I've learned in the blogs today, many Conservatives could not make it all the way through the speech. So what do you suppose the reaction from independents and moderates was like? I know Republicans are never going to appeal to the Radical Leftist Obamamaniacs, but there still exists a fairly large number of "Independent" voters (myself included) who expected a bit more from Jindal.
Maybe it's not all his fault; obviously the Republican party was part of the planning process. But besides being flat, the atmosphere of Jindal's mansion was gloomy, creepy and empty.
But alas, herein lies a huge problems with Conservatism and Republicans. We live in the era of Bush Derangement Syndrome and Obamamania.
Like it or not, we do live in the "Dot-Com" era of sound bites and snapshots. As much as I would like to believe Americans believe in substance over style, the reality is most Americans in today's video-game, Internet culture cannot focus much on substance for more than a few seconds.
It's sad, but it is the truth.
Rightly or wrongly, this summarizes, in part, the success of Barack Obama. Yes, there was a clear media bias, but can you really blame them?
Compare Obama to his former rival John McCain. Take away the message and the substance and what are you left with?
By no means am I supporting Obama or the media or the Radical Power-Grabbing Socialist philosophy of the Commie Liberals in Congress.
However, I am applauding his campaign strategy and his staff and supporters for their use of modern technology as well as using the slobbering media to their political advantage.
However, as Conservatives -- and the Republican Party Leadership -- we must realize the reality of the world in which we live. Americans do respond to style and image. It's a tough pill to swallow, but something we Conservatives need to stomach if we wish to rise to power again.
As John Ziegler pointed out while he was slamming MS-NBC's Norah O'Donell, the line between entertainment and journalism, and between politics and entertainment are becoming less clear each day.
There are, in fact, many people in this country (some of my own friends and family) who "get their news" from shows like The Daily Show and The Colbert Report.
And that's scary and yes, most of them are Liberals (no surprise).
It's also worth mentioning, again, that Tina Fey's satire of Sarah Palin became how many Americans perceived the Alaska Governor. Yes, it's wrong, unfortunate and disgusting, but it is the truth.
The Republican party and Conservatives are years behind the world of 21st Century era of information and technology. No, image isn't everything, but as a society we are becoming more image-conscious everyday.
The sooner Republicans learn this lesson, the more hope we have. Perhaps it's a necessary evil -- and we don't have to like it -- but it is reality.
Instead of bashing Liberals and the media and Leftwing blogs for celebrating style over substance, we need to learn we can use the same modern tactics for advancing our own agenda.
The full text of Gov. Jindal's speech:
The genuineness, the natural talking from the heart just wasn't there. He delivered a well memorized speech and would have garnered an A in speech class...
But I want to see someone who can stand up and talk to us without the canned words.
Palin talks from conviction and knowledge - she knows what she wants to say and doesn't need to memorize and deliver her message by rote.
But even the pubbie pols are afraid of her. They've picked their ‘new’ man - and they will run him in point position. It doesn't matter that Sarah connects with us, that we trust her.
That's always been the GOP’s Achilles Heal. Don't run the person who could actually win -
I was disappointed in Jindal last night but I’m not writing him off. I think he can do better.
I agree - and they have shot their wad as far as attacking her. They left no stone unturned, even if they had to use fake prop stones. They can't use all that cr*p against her again - people will yawn. Next time out - she'll whup as*
I have to calm down, for the Tea Party Friday......
I’m going to be an entrapaneur......I’m going to make Sponge bricks for Conservatives to throw at their TV sets....over and over.....as therapy.
Jidals delivery was a little light, but his message was spot on!
Delivery is ok, but message is everything!
That’s WHY I love Sarah so much!
I’m gonna hafta talk down to them thar Rhinocerous Republicans, ‘cause Jindal didn’t have the uppity nose look into the balconly that BHO used, and Jindal didn’t have the Pelosi “Jack in the Box” jumpin up to applaud everytime she thought he added another $ 100,00,000 Budget item.
Best supporting cast, vs. an empty Govenors Mansion.
he was a bit uneasy but damn, the kid is only, what 37 years old or so? lets give him a chance. he will drop all of those sophomore style hand gestures and movements that made him look so young. lets hang in for a bit and see if he can project a more mature posture. he is just a young guy so lets stay with him FReepers! Rush was right on this.
agree, its all about how he looks to some and not about what he says....too many seem to buy into the modern culture. Looks, style, clothes, hair, and nothing else matters.......
What a bunch of impatient critics. Let's shoot ourselves in the foot, k. That would be a brilliant plan...."Okay, Jindal's done, he said what I believe in but he wasn't spunky enough.
Yeesh, what a world...
It was lacking, but we should not give up on him because of it. Did we give up on Palin because of a bad night with Katie Couric? He@@, no we came to her defense.
No matter your profession, you must learn to sell your ideas if you are to succeed.
That is more true for a politician than any other manner of beast. They succeed by selling themselves to voters. It they can’t sell their ideas, it doesn’t matter how good they are.
The ‘pubs must learn to master all tools of the trade, including Internet technologies and social networking, in order to succeed. Look how far the dems got without having any real ideas (they are winging it).
We need ideas AND salesmanship. It’s not “happy” or “sad,” it’s just fact.
Last night was the first time I saw Jindal on tube, but heard him on the radio today and it was night and day different.
I know I’ll get booed but how I wish Rudy had attacked Barry last night.
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Like this?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJHdjtQGHuc
Nope, but it seems Rush and Sean have made anyone who gives Jindal honest assessment persona non grata... which is a shame, we have to be honest about all out people now... anything less is to assure self-destruction of the USA.
Be very careful what you say, or your post will be gone, we have had some really good posts today, and zap they are no more. Seems if you don’t like Obama you are not allowed to post on this site.
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Oh no, I hope this isn’t becoming another CNN or MSNBC comments scenario.
Your points are valid—but I put the blame on the RNC and its new chairman, Michael Steele.
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GET RID OF HIM, HE WILL BE THE DEATH OF THE GOP
With all due respect, I think you are speaking in entirely too an authoritative voice for being such a n00b.
My impression is that you are trying to pimp your blog.
Hers was the only face showing sadness regret on the stage during McCain’s concession. The old goat himself looked relieved and oddly happy.
She knew what was coming, and still wanted badly to help her country. McCain knew what was coming, and was relieved to have dodged a bullet.
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BINGO
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