Elephants On Parade. (Not Pink Ones, They Stay Quiet)

The Republican National Convention really began last night, and the biggies were Sen. Lieberman, former Senator/former candidate/former Law & Order King Fred Thompson, and oh, yeah – the President of the United States. Via satellite from the White House. (Tacky, by the way. One should not electioneer from the Oval Office.)

It was Vietnam and September 11th all over again – the case was argued by each speaker that Sen. McCain will defeat America’s enemies. Personally, I’m not sure that’s the best tactic for Independents, who are looking at the shaky economy like they’re staring at a firing squad. But dance with the girl that bought ya, I suppose, and if that has to include a three minute description of your many broken bones by Fred Thompson, well… do what ya gotta do.


Here’s a news wrap up:


The New York Times says that President Bush used his six minutes of speaking time to say that Sen. McCain has the experience to lead a post September 11th world. He also made a joke about the times that Sen. McCain has yelled at him. The article points out that the RNC chose not to have the President speak in prime time, on purpose, to distance his dismal legacy from Sen. McCain.


CNN’s Campbell Brown says that the campaign needed to punch the biography as hard as they did in order to negate the foolish VP pick. Gloria Berger wonders what’s going to happen to little boy lost Sen. Lieberman, who’s entire body politic is the war in Iraq. Donna Brazille
wonders where the economy went. Alex Castellanos liked the red meat, and Candy Crowley was shocked the Lieberman could praise Palin, considering the only position they have in common is the war.

The Washington Post says the case for war was really the focus of the evening, and points out the sharpness of Fred Thomas’s barbs against Sen. Obama. In fact, they point out how many Obama campaign phrases were borrowed, including Laura Bush saying that the President’s AIDS initiative was actual “Change you can believe in”.

MSNBC says that Gov. Palin is frantically studying today, trying to prepare a policy speech for tonight. They point out that this is her only chance of reversing the impression that most American’s have of the young nominee. To that end, the White House sent foreign policy tutors, and the McCain camp seems pleased with her preparedness – the speech has been written by McCain’s team. She’ll downplay her personal story as much as she can in those efforts.

Fox News thought is was a very successful day. (Did you just fall over in shock?)


Tonight – the biggest speech of them all, really. Gov. Sarah Palin takes the stage.