So if you watched the RNC last night via CNN, you might have noticed that they cut to shots of "Sandy Springs, Georgia" every now and then. Well guess what...yours truly was there!
Fulton County GOP Chairman Shawn Hanley on conference call with Sen. Saxby Chambliss: It was great hearing from Sen. Chambliss while he was at the Convention!
Everyone listening intently to McCain's acceptance speech:
I thought McCain's speech last night was truly inspiring. No, he does not have the speaking talent of Palin or Obama, but he has authenticity, grit, and honesty. And that made for a gripping speech last night.
Not only did he gives his story from his side, he also laid out his policies. I would have liked more detail, but the speech was pretty long so I don't think much more detail could have been fit in! What I liked most was his bit at the end:
"If you find faults with our country, make it a better one. If you’re disappointed with the mistakes of government, join its ranks and work to correct them. Enlist in our Armed Forces. Become a teacher. Enter the ministry. Run for public office. Feed a hungry child. Teach an illiterate adult to read. Comfort the afflicted. Defend the rights of the oppressed. Our country will be the better, and you will be the happier. Because nothing brings greater happiness in life than to serve a cause greater than yourself."
Why do I like this so much? Because he emphasized a huge point that I think the Democrats are completely oblivious to: personal responsibility. Every single American is responsible for this country. We don't want government getting bigger, controlling more aspects of our lives. And if Washington is broken, we are the ones that can fix it. You. Me. Each one of us. That's what McCain believes. That's what I believe.
"Fight with me. Fight with me.
Fight for what’s right for our country.
Fight for the ideals and character of a free people.
Fight for our children’s future.
Fight for justice and opportunity for all.
Stand up to defend our country from its enemies.
Stand up for each other; for beautiful, blessed, bountiful America.
Stand up, stand up, stand up and fight. Nothing is inevitable here. We’re Americans, and we never give up. We never quit. We never hide from history. We make history."
He writes out a speech for McCain...and I'll go ahead and spoil the end for you. The speech he presents is actually excerpted from Ronald Reagan's 1980 Republican Convention acceptance speech.
Not so impressive:
Biden's response makes me wonder if he actually was listening to Palin's speech. CNN titles the article "Style but no substance." He does say that her speech was impressive & well-delivered, but then he mentions the things that she didn't say. Hello! She didn't have to say the word "middle-class" - we all knew who she was talking to because she is the "middle-class." She skillfully spoke on our energy crisis, which she directly related to the economy & foreign powers. It was anything but empty rhetoric!
I'm so pumped up right now that I decided to go ahead and post first impressions & favorite quotes from tonight's Republican Convention. I was gonna wait til tomorrow, but I'm so awake right now! And excited! Because I feel like everyone who spoke tonight, and especially Sarah Palin...they GET America. They're PROUD of America. That gives me hope for our country.
LINKS UPDATED --Will try to update with links tomorrow...I'm too excited about what I saw to look for links for everything!
Ok so I started watching CSPAN around 8:30...but the first speaker I really started paying attention to was Mitt Romney. He was good, and was then followed by Mike Huckabee, who was also good. Huckabee told a great story about a teacher and desks.
Then things really ramped up. Linda Lingle, the Hawaii governor who I've never really heard of, had a pretty good speech defending & extolling Sarah Palin. My favorite points from her:
Delaware has the same # of delegates as Alaska Sarah Palin got more votes for mayor than Biden got from the whole nation for President of the United States
Alright, up next was Giuliani. Favorite quotes:
advice to Obama regarding his flubbing of the Georgia/Russia crisis: "Next time call John McCain." on Obama's experience: "community organizer (pause) what?" laughs - I laughed SO hard at this point. his last point on the media's questioning of Palin's mothering abilities: "How dare they...when do they ever ask a man that question?"
Then, Sarah Palin:
"difference between hockey mom and a pitbull...lipstick" "small towns...hardest jobs...growing our food, working in our factories, fighting our wars...always proud of America" on being a mayor: "like a community organizer, but with actual responsibilities" "I'm not going to Washington to seek [liberal media] good opinion. I'm here to serve the people of this great nation." on reasons to run for office: "to challenge status quo...leave this nation better than we found it." "Some use change to promote career...some like John McCain use career to promote change." "There's only one man in this election who has ever really fought for you."
cute moment: camera focuses in on Piper Palin licking her hand and then smoothing down little baby Trig Palin's hair. aw!!!
I'm sorry but it's too funny watching the Republican roll call of states...the Governor of Guam let us all know that Guam is where America's day begins! Too funny.
God Bless America!
Thoughts on Republican convention & Sarah Palin's great speech to come...
I haven't watched too much of the Democratic convention, mostly because I can catch the highlights the next day. Based from the highlights, all I've seen from the Democrats are a bunch of emotional speeches that have little to nothing to do with the actual issues at stake. I don't want to sound negative or bitter, but if I was a Democrat, I think I'd be feeling a little empty right now. Stories are good...but there is so much more at stake here than happy feelings.
First we had Michelle Obama (click for video & transcript) and the kids. A nice speech on her family, upbringing, why she loves America, etc etc. Nice. It's a lot easier to say you love your country in a contrived speech. But when you're out on the campaign trail and really speak your mind, and your words there don't match up to your speeches, then I have a hard time believing you. I kind of wanted her to apologize for the things that she has said, because she truly offended me. And then, the kids are cute...but is this campaign about cute kids talking to their daddy or is this about the American people and the struggles we are facing right now?
Then Hillary...oh Hillary. How sad I am for you. This was supposed to be your convention. You did what you had to do...but I don't think you really believe in his candidacy. And I'm sorry but I really laughed when you said "sisterhood of the traveling pantsuits" (did you really go there?) and when you said "no way, no how, no McCain." Is that even correct grammar?
Then Bill, then Biden. I hear Biden's speech has been the weakest. "Standard and uninspiring" according to the U.S. News & World Report. Is Obama already rethinking his VP choice? Hillary anyone?
And tonight we have Obama...I don't expect anything less than full throttle praise in the morning. If he delivered the worst speech in the world, would people still praise it? I find it increasingly hard to believe that the world would criticize him, even when it's due to him.
And in other news, McCain is airing an ad congratulating Obama right around the time that he does his speech. Surprise or not?
