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That Winning Feeling: After two great days, things are looking up.
National Review Online ^ | September 01, 2004 | John Derbyshire

Posted on 09/01/2004 8:20:01 AM PDT by xsysmgr

Now I know what a modern party convention is for. I sat down to last night's big speeches with low expectations, ready to squirm in fact. Arnold Schwarzenegger's fun to watch in movies, but not my kind of Republican. (You couldn't call Arnie anything "lite," but I think of him as a sort of George Pataki heavy.) And this was billed as "People of Compassion" night. Oh, dear. When I hear the word "compassion" from a politician, the mental image it invokes is a sheaf of IRS forms. Plus, I feel about politicians' family members the way the Victorians felt about children: They should be seen, but not heard.

In any event, I thought it all went very well. Schwarzenegger was simply tremendous. I especially liked his recollection of the Soviet occupation of part of Austria (which ended in 1956, I think). Outside Austria, hardly anyone remembers this, but it was traumatic for the Austrians. Soviet troops were actually billeted in Austrian homes. They were famous for stealing bath plugs, and for leaving "reminders" of their presence (use your imagination) in hidden corners.

But it was Arnold's delivery and conviction and style that got the conventioneers up and cheering. It's surprising, when you think about it, that there aren't more actors in politics. They really know how to do this stuff. Watching Arnold, you couldn't help but think of Reagan. Yeah, yeah, I know that on points of policy they are a world apart; but this is a convention. It's not about policy, it's about presentation. Perhaps that's not the way it should be, but it's the way it in fact is.

Similarly with Monday night's speeches from John McCain and Rudy Giuliani. Good, solid, stirring speeches, both of them, right on target. Again, these guys aren't on my personal top-ten list of favorite Republicans, but who cares? George W. Bush is on that list, and if they help him get re-elected, and help bring out voters for the congressional races, they are welcome at my house any time. Besides, as Brit Hume pointed out in the after-show commentary, one thing being demonstrated here is that Republicans have a way bigger tent than the Democrats, with far wider tolerance of dissent on policy positions. All of this helps appeal to ordinary non-political people.

Even the Bush daughters and wife didn't make me squirm as much as I'd feared they would. I thought the twins were silly and unnecessary, but not offensive. Laura went on much too long, but again, I couldn't see any downside, and she actually had some very good lines. After talking about how, back in the really bad days of the Cold War, she'd had to practice sheltering under her school desk in case of a Soviet missile attack, she said: "Because of strong American leadership in the past, we don't hide under school desks any more." That's a good line, a memorable line. Her presentation was right, too: unaffected, unpolished. Watching her, you thought: She's a housewife from west Texas. Which is what you want to think about a president's wife.

All in all, it's been a great two days. This time last week I was glum, with the polls wobbling around 50-50 and the media droning on about Iraq, gas prices, a flat economy, and the rest. Now, seeing these great speakers — big-name American stars and heroes with wide appeal — praising the president, speaking forthrightly about the war, expressing good American optimism and faith, I'm getting that winning feeling.

Sure, a lot can happen in nine weeks. The Bush haters still hate Bush, Soros and the Hollywood crowd still have plenty of money to hose around, and Iraq is still unstable. Sure, sure, things might go wrong; but I do believe we're going to win this one.



TOPICS: Editorial; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: gwb2004; rncconvention
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1 posted on 09/01/2004 8:20:01 AM PDT by xsysmgr
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To: xsysmgr

I have loved the convention..My spirits are high...Steele gave a great speech,too.


2 posted on 09/01/2004 8:22:31 AM PDT by MEG33 (John Kerry has been AWOL for two decades on issues of National Security)
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To: MEG33

Lets not get cocky.....

BTW,,,is their a thread on the Keery speech at the VFW???


3 posted on 09/01/2004 8:28:05 AM PDT by Pondman88
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To: MEG33

This convention has been terrific! From the great lineup -- I can't wait to hear Zell tonight!! -- to the great location. It's all made for wonderful "theater" (and I mean that in the best way). I'm even starting to forget all about the Bush twins' speech. Almost.......


4 posted on 09/01/2004 8:28:25 AM PDT by Gunder
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To: Pondman88
Lets not get cocky.....

Exactly. I'm sleeping better these days, but I wouldn't want things to look so great that a false sense of imminent victory keeps W supporters home on election day.

5 posted on 09/01/2004 8:30:28 AM PDT by ConservativeWarrior
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To: Pondman88

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1204613/posts


6 posted on 09/01/2004 8:32:54 AM PDT by TheBigB (The donger need FOOD!)
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To: Pondman88
BTW,,,is their a thread on the Keery speech at the VFW???

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1204613/posts <-- Yes, at least one

7 posted on 09/01/2004 8:33:34 AM PDT by Cboldt
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To: xsysmgr

Very nice article!


8 posted on 09/01/2004 8:33:44 AM PDT by Old Sarge (ZOT 'em all, let MOD sort 'em out!)
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To: Pondman88

I have spent a year warning against complacency. I WILL enjoy this convention..and feel uplifted, confident and inspired...


9 posted on 09/01/2004 8:34:08 AM PDT by MEG33 (John Kerry has been AWOL for two decades on issues of National Security)
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To: xsysmgr
Well a lot of democrats are feeling pretty nervous.

But others claim to be feeling optimistic

10 posted on 09/01/2004 8:35:51 AM PDT by Maceman (Too nuanced for a bumper sticker)
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To: MEG33; All
I have loved the convention..My spirits are high...Steele gave a great speech,too.

I also have thoroughly enjoyed the convention. My girlfriend, who recently joyed me by telling me she is voting for Bush (as an independent), is interested in this convention, wanting to hear our side after hearing so much of the leftist side.

BTW, the one line I wanted Steele to say in closing (and yes, he did great) was "And in November, we are going to elect a great, strong, and principled leader...and it's NOT...JOHN... KERRY!!!"

11 posted on 09/01/2004 8:36:17 AM PDT by Christian4Bush (I approve this message: "We need a beacon for CIC..not a weathervane." Bush/Cheney '04)
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To: xsysmgr

Always keep the faith :0)


12 posted on 09/01/2004 8:36:21 AM PDT by Mo1 (FR NEWS ALERT .... John Kerry over dosed on Botox and thinks he's Bob KerrEy)
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To: MEG33

The Republican Convention is doing just what it should do - fire up the party workers and supporters so they work hard to and vote right in November.

Watch the convention on C-Span as they do it best, no media talking heads telling you what they think you should be hearing or seeing.


13 posted on 09/01/2004 8:36:50 AM PDT by RicocheT
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To: RicocheT

I learned my lesson...I watch everything I miss on reruns and rewatch things I've seen,too....I am really loving it!


14 posted on 09/01/2004 8:41:03 AM PDT by MEG33 (John Kerry has been AWOL for two decades on issues of National Security)
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To: Maceman

Kool-aide drinkers-I used to be a Dem...I remember being convinced that Carter would beat Reagan....I cried the night Reagan won because I believed Reagan would cause a nuclear holocaust... instead Reagan saved the world. Democrats are never good at facing reality. Kerry has no big guns...he has nothing to run on...all he can do is trash the president. I don't think he will win ...with heartland swing voters...He may not even win in New Jersey or California.


15 posted on 09/01/2004 8:45:18 AM PDT by nyconse
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To: xsysmgr

Wow...this article is absolutely spot on! He nailed my thoughts exactly.


16 posted on 09/01/2004 8:46:10 AM PDT by pgkdan
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To: xsysmgr
Arnold Schwarzenegger's fun to watch in movies, but not my kind of Republican.

Actually, I really don't like his movies either, but I thought his speech was terrific. I especially liked the part of his speech where he began each phrase with, "You're a Republican if..." I thought it was excellent and probably led some people to think twice about whether they might actually be a Republican.

17 posted on 09/01/2004 8:49:05 AM PDT by irishlass
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To: Maceman

I enjoyed reading the DU posts. The Democrats are in denial and/or squirming..hehe.


18 posted on 09/01/2004 8:51:46 AM PDT by nyconse
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To: Christian4Bush
BTW, the one line I wanted Steele to say in closing (and yes, he did great)

Ditto that. Steele was really impressive. I haven't seen him mentioned very much, but his speech was definitely one of the evening's high points.

19 posted on 09/01/2004 8:52:11 AM PDT by Yardstick
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To: Pondman88
is their a thread on the Keery speech at the VFW???

Yeah but some troll made a noose out of it and is looking for somewhere to hang himself.

20 posted on 09/01/2004 8:56:47 AM PDT by bad company ((<a href="http://www.michaelmoore.com" target="_blank">Hatriotism))
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