I think it's silly to expect that every night will crescendo on top of the previous night. First of all, it sets up a certain level of failure, because it's hard to keep raising the bar and then meeting it on a daily basis.
Tonight was billed as the Compassionate Message night. It's OK that tonight isn't ending as charged up as opening night did. Arnold charged us up as did Steele. There is tomorrow with Zell and the VP and then Thursday for the Pres. The energy will continue and build from there. As it should.
Prairie
You got it. Tonight was the "softer" night of the program. It is meant to be billed towards those that flinch at G.W. supposedly being too "masculine". Tonight was about reaching minorities, defining Republican principle to people that believe themselves to be Democrat, making it acceptable to be Republican, and showing the family side and compassion bit to G.W.'s personality. Arnold throwing in some red meat was just a plus.