Good Feelings in Wake of Palin's and McCain's Speeches

Sarah Palin did more than electrify the base last night. She got the attention of millions outside the party as well.  In spite of a barrage of scurrilous, false and vicious attacks, Palin appears to be viewed quite favorably by a majority of Americans.  

Tonight McCain followed up with his acceptance speech and made many points in his favor.  He stressed patriotism and service to the country.  He came across as quite sincere in his patriotism and love for America, and of "putting country first" over partisan politics and selfish interests.

The desperate Dems, mainstream media and leftist bloggers are now inventing new slanders.  The one now gaining traction is that, while Governor, Palin slashed the budget for special needs children and also for teen pregnancy education.  The truth is she increased the budget for both by substantial amounts.

The CBS poll today shows McCain again pulling even with Obama in the hunt for votes.  Three days ago another poll showed Obama up by eight points.  It will be interesting to see what kind of bump McCain/Palin get from the last two nights of the convention.  I would be surprised if they don't go ahead of Obama/Biden.  They made strong cases before the convention and to the American public.  John McCain has considerable substance compared to Obama's media-hyped persona and thin resume.  Palin dwarfs the old Biden retread, with her ideas, energy, optimism and youth.

I feel pretty good about Republican chances at this stage of the campaign.  However, we have two months to go before the election and anything can happen.  

A couple of days ago I contributed $100 to the McCain/Palin ticket and I will send $100 from every paycheck I receive until the election.  My goal is to donate a total of $500. 

I have a link in the left sidebar where you can donate to McCain/Palin, and I urge you to do so.  I had never donated to a political campaign in my life before this year, but Paypal and the internet makes it so easy.  

Do it.  Get in the fight.

Live Blogging John McCain's Acceptance Speech

A great introduction by a voice of a man unseen, telling how John McCain came to love his country more than ever before, when he had lost that country as a POW.

A photo is shown of the McCain's adopted daughter from Bangladesh -- a black girl who is now 17. It is refreshingly ironic that, in a campaign where he opposes the first black candidate, that McCain has a daughter who is also black.  The McCains adopted her as an infant.

McCain looks happy and refreshed and looks over the crowd with a smile.

After expressing his admiration and respect for Obama and Biden, a Code Pink protestor attempts to raise a banner and has it snatched from her hands. She rushes down the aisle opening her coat to reveal a pink shirt with a slogan, but I couldn't see what it says. The noise dies down after a minute or two, and McCain says "Don't be distracted by the noise and the static." Laughter.  The protestor and and a cohort are escorted from the hall.

Returning to his prepared remarks, McCain now praises Sarah Palin. He says he loved introducing her to the country, "but I can't wait to introduce her to Washington." Then he says to Washington, "Change is coming!"

Now he pledges to fight special interests and says he will veto the first pork spending bill that comes before him.

Now he lambasts those Republicans who lost the trust of the American people through corruption and big government spending, resulting in Republican losses in the Congressional elections. "We're going to change that," he says.

"We believe in faith, work, service. We believe in a culture of life. We respect judges 'who don't legislate from the bench.'"

Now he is comparing his policies to those of Barack Obama. He will lower taxes where his opponent will raise them.

He says that cutting taxes for small businesses will help raise employment and allow businesses to compete.

He talks about replacing failed schools by introducing competition and allowing parents choice in the schools their children attend. He says "We will encourage bad teachers to find another line of work."

Now he refers to his energy policy, saying "We're going to stop sending 700 billion dollars a year to countries who don't even like us. We're going to drill more wells and we're going to drill offshore. We'll build more power plants. We'll use more clean coal."

"Senator Obama thinks we can create more power without drilling more wells and building more power plants. But Americans know better than that."

He now turns to the subject of American security. He talks about the rise of Iran, the biggest exporter of terrorism worldwide. He talks of Russia's new aggression. He understands the military, what it can do, what it can do better, and what it ought not to do. He pledges to work to create an enduring peace, noting that he knows war, that he hates war and wants to prevent it.

McCain now discusses how the culture of Washington must change, to end bitter partisanship, which he says is caused by people serving themselves rather than the country. He says instead of rejecting good ideas because someone else thought of them first, let's use the best ideas from both parties. Instead of worrying about who gets the credit, let's share it.

He now tells of his experiences as a POW, which did much to end his personal selfishness, after he had been dumped into a cell with two other POWs to die. With two broken arms and a broken leg, he couldn't even feed himself. The other POW's did it for them and saved his life. One of the other POWs told him, through taps on his cell wall, that "No man can always stand alone." He came to realize that "I was no longer my own man. I was my country's."

"I'm not running for president because I think I'm blessed with such personal greatness that history has anointed me to save our country in its hour of need.  My country saved me.  My country saved me, and I cannot forget it.  And I will fight for her as long as I draw breath, so help me God."

Extended applause.

He calls for public service, saying "That you can serve no greater cause than to serve a cause greater than yourself."

"Fight with me. Fight for our country. Fight for our future. Stand up and fight! Nothing is inevitable. We're Americans. We never quit. We don't give up in the face of history, we make history. Thank you and God bless America!"

The speech is finished; John Rich is singing "Raisin' McCain." The crowd is on its feed, applauding and dancing to the music.

A fine speech. Did it exceed that of Sarah Palin? No, but it wasn't half bad.

Obama has his work cut out for him.

Live Blogging the RNC: Sarah Palin Speaks

Sarah takes the stage to long, loud and enthusiastic applause.  Her husband Todd and daughter Bristol beam.

She praises McCain, quotes him saying "I'd rather lose an election than see America lose a war."  She says that, as a mother of a soldier, "That's the kind of man I want to see as Commander In Chief."

She refers to baby Trig, calling him a blessing.  She promises that mothers of "special needs" children will have a friend in her in the White House, and an advocate.

She introduces her parents, saying she is proud to be their daughter.

She calls herself an "average Hockey Mom," saying that the difference between an average Hockey Mom and a pit bull is...lipstick!"  She laughs and smiles at the audience, obviously at ease on the podium and very comfortable in her own skin.

Great lines:

"I guess that being the mayor of a small town is sort of like being a community organizer...except that [as mayor] you have actual responsibilities."

"When I became Governor I got rid of a few things that I thought were unnecessary.  That luxury jet was over the top.  I put it on E-Bay."  Laughter and applause.

She says as Governor she "built a 40 billion dollar natural gas pipeline to lead America towards energy independence."

Now she is effectively pointing out Obama's weaknesses.  She refers to his Greek Columns, his desire to reduce our military effectiveness in a hostile world, his desire to raise taxes - income taxes, business taxes, payroll taxes and death taxes.

"How are you going to be better off if our opponent places a massive tax burden on America?"

She mentions Harry Reid (loud boos), quoting him as saying "I can't stand John McCain"  Then she adds, "What greater proof do we have that we have chosen the right man."

She says of McCain:  "There's really only one man in this election who has ever really fought for you...in places where winning means survival and defeat means death."

On the journey that McCain will have made:  "From a 6 by 4 foot cell in Hanoi to the Oval Office."

She tells how another POW in Hanoi Hilton, a man from Ohio who is present in the hall, used to watch through a pin hole in his cell door each day as the Vietnamese guards led John McCain down the hall to be interrogated and tortured.  When John McCain shuffled back to his cell each night, he would look at this POW's door, smile and flash a "thumbs up" sign to signify that "we are going to get through this."  She says that a man such as this should be the Commander In Chief. 

She says that "there are eloquent speakers who can inspire for a season.  John McCain inspires for a lifetime with his deeds."

It was a great speech.  The Convention stands in a long, enthusiastic applause, electrified.

POSTSCRIPT:  John Rich, a country singer and McCain supporter, sings a rousing rendition of his song "Raising McCain."  You can download the song for free from John Rich's website.  Go here to do so.

John Rich is my kinda guy.  His picture on his website shows him smoking a big cigar!

Live Blogging the RNC: Rudy Giulani Speaks

Giulani describes McCain as a man "who has sacrificed for America with his blood."  

Now he's panning Obama's Senatorial experience -- how on many occasions Obama has voted "present" instead of "yes" or "no."  Rudy says Obama couldn't figure out which way to vote. The assembly laughs and applauds.

He says that Obama has never run a city, never run a state, never run a business, never run a military unit, never led anyone in a crisis.  "He has led NADA" says Giulani.  More laughter and applause.

"McCain has been tested, Obama has not.  This is no time for on-the-job training...We agree with Joe Biden [about Obama's lack of experience]."

He says McCain "has been tested over and over again...we will be safe in his hands, our children will be safe in his hands, and our country will be safe in his hands."

Notable quotes from Giulani:

"Change is not a destination just as "hope" is not a strategy."

"Drill baby drill."

"John McCain will keep us on offense against terrorism at home and abroad."

Now he pokes fun at the Democrats' refusal to speak of "Islamic terrorism" as if they would be insulting someone by so doing.  "Who would they be insulting?" he asks.  "They would be insulting TERRORISTS."  Laughter and applause.

On Iraq and the success of the surge, which McCain long advocated, "John McCain got it right and Barack Obama got it wrong."

On Obama's flip flops, he says "Obama was for an undivided Jerusalem for ONE DAY until he changed his mind.  If I were Joe Biden, I'd get that Vice President thing in writing."

On Sarah Palin:  "She's already had more executive experience than the entire Democratic ticket COMBINED."

"I'm sorry that Sarah Palin's city wasn't sophisticated enough [for her mayoral experience to count]."  Maybe they cling to religion!"  Long laughter and applause.

It was a lively, inspiring speech.  Great job.

Sarah Palin Speaks Tonight

Sarah Palin speaks tonight.  It will be interesting to hear what she has to say in light of being the target of one of the most hateful and specious media attacks in U.S. history.  

Currently on is Governor Linda Lingle of Hawaii, delivering a string of facts in a boring, monotonic voice.  Rocking the house she's not.  

ZZZZZ

Violent Thugs Attack Republicans at RNC Convention

This picture of anarchists breaking a window is typical of the anti-Republican "protestors" at the Republican National Convention.

So far they have dropped cement bags on two busses, surrounded a bus carrying Cub Scouts to the convention, rocking the bus and terrifying the children; punctured a tire of a limousine and dented the car with a board; set fire to a trash bin and attacked Republicans on the street. They also smashed the windows of a police car and have wreaked damage on private property.

They are utter scum, the very dregs of humanity.

Live Blogging the RNC: Joe Lieberman's Speech to the Convention; Praises Palin

Joe Lieberman stood before the Republican National Convention and asked: "What's a Democrat like me doing here before the Republican National Convention?" Then he answered his own question: "I am here today to support John McCain because he is the best candidate to lead our country."

So spoke Joe Lieberman, a Senator who paid a political price for putting "country first" over party. A long-time Democrat who was his party's Vice Presidential candidate in 2000, Joe Lieberman was rejected by his party for supporting victory in Iraq. He lost the Democratic primary when he was up for reelection, then ran as an independent, winning back his senate seat.

Lieberman remarked, "If John McCain is just another partisan Republican, then I am Michael Moore's favorite Democrat. And I'm not!"

Senator Lieberman then praised Sarah Palin as a great choice to help McCain "clean up Washington."

...

Now Lieberman praises McCain's advocacy of the surge, saying "Now thousands of American troops are coming home IN HONOR." Wild applause.

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He concludes with an appeal to fellow Democrats and Independents, urging them to vote for John McCain and Sarah Palin.

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It was a fantastic speech and can only help McCain's chances.

Fred Thompson's Speech on John McCain

Fred Thompson gave a thrilling, inspirational and emotional speech on the character of John McCain. Thompson told of McCain's incredibly abusive treatment as a POW at the hands of the Vietnamese Communists. With multiple bones broken, near death and suffering from dysentery, he experienced frequent beatings and torture; but McCain refused to provide military information to his captors and refused to be used as a propaganda tool, proving a level of character and bravery that most of us can scarcely imagine. John McCain is clearly an American hero and highly deserving of the Presidency.

As Thompson said, "It's pretty clear there are two questions we will never have to ask ourselves, "Who is this man?" and "Can we trust this man with the Presidency?"

Amen. It was a great speech.

Watch Republican Convention Live On Line

You can watch the Republican Convention live from your P.C. Go to this link.

Hurricane Gustav Disrupts Republican Convention

Bad news. Due to the advance of Hurricane Gustav towards New Orleans and nearby localities, the Republican National Convention will not unfold as planned. President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney will not speak on Monday as scheduled. They will be monitoring Gustav and relief effots. John McCain may not appear either and may give his acceptance speech to the convention from an offsite location.

The convention has been heavily scaled back for Monday's opening ceremonies, from 7 hours to 2 and a half hours. McCain is no doubt trying to position himself as an activist future President by giving up political advantage to monitor Gustav and its destruction. Will he receive more bounce from that than from a fully operational convention? Who knows?

In any case, Democrats might well be thanking God for intervening on their behalf -- assuming that they believe He exists at all.

Liberal San Francisco Chronicle Spins Arrest of Anarchists in St. Paul

TwinCities.com has a breaking story of anarchists arrested in St. Paul, Minnesota, who were planning to disrupt the Republican National Convention (hat tip: Atlas Shrugs). The police issued a statement as to the riot equipment found.

The statement said the items found in the searches included:

Materials to create "sleeping dragons" (PVC pipe, chicken wire, duct tape), which is when protesters lock themselves together
Large amounts of urine, including three to five gallon buckets of urine
Wrist rockets (high-powered slingshots)
A machete, hatchet and several throwing knives
a gas mask and filter
Empty glass bottles
Rags
Flammable liquids
Homemade caltrops (devises used to disable buses in roads)
Metal pipes
Axes
Bolt cutters
Sledge hammers
Rapelling equipment
Kryptonite locks
Empty plastic buckets cut and made into shields
Material for protective padding
An Army helmet.

The five people being held at the Hennepin County jail are under arrest on suspicion of conspiracy to riot, conspiracy to commit civil disorder and conspiracy to damage property.

Photographs of seized material also include Ninja foot spikes, Smoke in the Can, several buckets of human unine, a published venue of convention disruption and various anarchist literature.

The leftwing San Francisco Chronicle, however, has omitted any mention of the above and has spun the story as an RNC plot to disrupt legitimate dissent. An article posted at SF Gate, the Chronicle's online arm, quotes "peaceful protestors" as follows:

I think (Friday night's raid) was a scare tactic to not go to the big demonstration Monday," said Monica Trinidad, a 22-year-old University of Illinois at Chicago student who was handcuffed outside the center Friday night as she was returning to see what was going on. "But I don't think it's going to work."

Hal Muskat, a 61-year-old San Franciscan and member of Veterans for Peace, said the arrests might attract even more protesters. "It was a tactic to try and take out the leaders," he said. "I know some people don't like to go out in the streets. But when anybody within a 12-hour drive hears about what's going on here, they're going to want to be here with us on Monday."

The San Francisco Chronicle's propaganda piece, of course, does not mention the riot gear, weapons and published disruption agenda noted above. It then ends with the above advertisement for more radicals to join the war on America.

Photo above right: Manuals for anarchy were among the materials seized in the raids. Source: St. Paul Police Department