Shots Across The Bow

Convention Notes-Night 3

I'm breaking my promise. I said I wasn't going to watch any of the Republican Convention, as I think both conventions are empty exercises in preaching to the choir.

But, since I'm working at the computer tonight editing a novel, I figured I'd listen in on MSNBC radio (Again, XM Radio is awesome!), and blog a few notes as they strike me.

• Chris Matthews asks the question, "Why do we need the spouses of our Presidential candidates to tell us about their husbands? What does that have to do with their performance in office?"

  His point is that, particularly with the incumbent, we have a record on his performance, which is what matters. He likens it to a performance review of a CEO. We don't really need to know whether he's good to his kid, likes dogs, and wears boxers; all we need to know is what he's done on the job.
  The problem is, the President is much more than a CEO, and his job encompasses a lot more responsibility. He doesn't leave work at the Oval Office; he's on call, 24/7/365 for four years. He's not simply concerned with making a profit; he has to carefully balance priorities that don't always yield to a bottom-line approach; he must have skills far beyond business and management.

  But there's another reason that it's vital to hear from the First Lady. Campaigns have become far more personal than we've seen in a while. President Bush and Mr. Kerry have been attacked not just on their actions and beliefs, but on their personality, and their character. The only way to answer those attacks is trough character references.
  

• The Reagan tribute: A nice send off for a good president.
  
• Is it my imagination, or is Matthews actually creating cover for Cheney to withdraw and get replaced by McCain/Giuliani?
  
• How about this ticket for 2008, Giuliani/Rice? Or vice versa?
  
• Wow! Zell Miller is laying waste to John Kerry. Quotes as I heard them.(paraphrased)
  
  • "Listing the weapons system John Kerry opposed is like listening to an auctioneer selling off America's security."
    
  • "This is a man who wants to be the commander in chief of our U.S. armed forces? US forces armed with what? Spitballs!?"
    
  • "How you vote tells people who you really are deep inside."
    
  • John Kerry, who doesn't like outsourcing, wants to outsource our national security"
    
  • "John Kerry wants to refight yesterday's war. George Bush wants to fight today's war, and prepare for tomorrow's threats."
  
  
• Cheney is putting me to sleep. There's just no energy.
  Quotes
  
  • "George W Bush will never seek a permission slip to defend the people of America."
    
  • "America sees two John Kerrys"
  
  
• Zell Miller and Chris Matthews go toe to toe in an interview after the convention speeches! I about lost it when Miller wanted to challenge Matthews to a duel! Maybe he'd been listening when Matthew's panel had been tossing around charges of racism and why Miller has abandoned the Democrats.
  Posted by Rich at September 1, 2004 9:16 PM | TrackBack