McCain followed Karl Rove's advice to "reach out." Rush's advice was to consolidate the GOP support and to take advantage of what Palin had done. I thought the use of the three "victim" families was pandering, and unRepublican. We needed inspiration stories, not sob stories. But maybe it will get votes.
Two things are certain: 1) Palin is the most energizing political figure since Newt in 1994, and 2) by "running against Washington," McCain has completely cut the legs out from under the GOP House and Senate guys running for re-election, and he's looking at a 10-30 seat House loss and a 4-6 seat Senate loss. How he figures that will make his job easier, I don't know.
It started slow and ended GREAT!
LS,
You couldn’t be further off, my friend.
By running against Washington he gives a chance to all the guys running in open seats that as of today we would lose (5 in the Senate, 30 in the House)
This is what I think is going on.
There must be internal polling that says the base has solidified behind the conservative banner. You can’t get more than exist. So that part of the electorate has been given their conservative “fix.”
McCain also already HAS a portion of the pissed off hillary voters who would never vote FOR Obama.
Obama is still struggling to reach angry hillary voters and that 20% anit-democrat democrats.
Obama now has his colorado firewall stategy to deny colorado to mccain. (keeping in mind, c-span sill has alaska as a toss up...really)
This leaves mccain free to go out foraging for UNLIKELY republican voters.
Was the speech only fair? yes. Did they screw up the slides? yes. Was the end from the heart? ABSOLUTLY.
(is mccain still going to push amnesty and the dream act amnesty? does a moose poop in the woods?)
I think it is SMART to reach out, but reach out to come TO CONSERVATISM. NOT to reach out and go to THEY left wing view.
First time I heard McCain speak was last night. I was interested and captivated by the whole speech. The end, however was excellent. I had not thought much about his POW experience, shame on me. I should have, I still have a POW/MIA bracelet for a man who did not make it back.
I was indifferent to McCain before last night. Once my favorites were eliminated I was going to vote Republican as opposition to Obama and the Democrates. Palin made me realize McCain had made a politically astute move and picked a running mate I could be enthusiastic about.
After listening to what McCain endured, I realize that Obama’s as well as Palin’s political/executive experience PALES in comparison to McCain’s life experience. My son has enlisted (deferred enlistment)and will leave after hs graduation in June 09. McCain has been there, seen the worst and said he hates war, but is not afraid of it. He is the person I want leading the country and the commander in chief of the military that will include my son. Palin has a son in the service too (as does Biden) and I trust that she will learn from the next President, what ever lessons one can impart to someone who has not the LIFE experience. She appears to be a smart, honorable, patriot with political leanings more in line with my own. I am totally comfortable and enthusiastic with both of them.
McCain/Palin ‘08
To sum up Rush: Sarah Palin has unified the party. McCain had to do that and that is why McCain's choice of Palin is Brilliant. Having accomplished that task, it frees McCain to do what he does best, which is to woo the moderates and undecideds. Looked at in that light, McCain's speech was a good one. Not great, but good. A "workmanlike" speech.
I feel better about McCain, but I am definitely voting for Sarah Palin.
I agree, but after the speech a lib called me and he’s now actually thinking of voting for him.So perhaps its a good thing.
Disagree on the seat loss, if Republicans can get out front as fiscal conservative, admit their criminal spending sprees were wrong, and educate on low tax rates bringing in more revenue, they may have a chance to retain/gain seats
I thought the speech sucked, one of the worst given by a nominee. I think McCain once again has snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. As you say the gop is screwed in house and senate races. And I think that he threw away the base last night. What a shame. At least I got to hear Heart’s barracuda as they walked off the stage.