The Palin speech

She’s a better speaker than your average PTA president, and she only stumbled once or twice reading from the teleprompter. Because expectations were so low, people will say she came through and gave a great speech.

The Palin family is pretty good looking for rednecks. Brilliant idea bringing Bristol's boyfriend down from Alaska.

They had Todd take his turn holding the baby this time. I get the impression that in Alaska, the women take care of the babies exclusively while the men do manly stuff like hunt moose and drill for oil.

She might have been an OK pick if it wasn’t for all the tabloid drama in her family.

* * *

Andrew Sullivan says:

Either the family is out of bounds or it is in the spotlight. Brandishing a Down Syndrome child as a campaign statement is daring the press to ask questions about him. And if you are going to hold the baby in front of the cameras, how can you say that the details of his birth cannot even be discussed?

* * *

While on the topic of speeches, I should say that Mitt Romney gave the best and most intellectual speech of the night. Mitt Romney's speech best represents the reasons why I'm a Republican.

Rudy’s speech was fun, but not presidential.

Comments

[Yoxen]

Wow. Just wow. I had to turn off the TV while watching Sarah Palin's speech. I thought it was disastrous, and I think she might have to withdraw. So props to you, HS. She failed to address the allegations against her; she failed to demonstrate domestic or foreign policy chops; overall she came off sounding like a country bumkin. The line in her speech, "I was just your average soccer mom" - what the f**k? We want an average soccer mom running the country?

She's likeable and personable, but I get the feeling that she is very much out of her depth. [I got the feeling her family is weirdly dysfunctional as well. Bristol looked like a stupid sluttly bitch.]

Now don't get me wrong. Hussein Osama is poison and he's going to bring ruin to this country. He will be the next president, though (even if Ragey McRage manages to eek out a win, the country's going down the tubes anyway.)

Romney's speech was much, much more impressive. But the overall show has been a failure...can't say I'm surprised, as the Republican Party is the proletariat Outer Party and has lost on every significant issue in at least 300 years.

[Yoxen]

Anyone else notice how often the camera panned to the token black in the audience?

YOU'RE NOT GOING TO WIN ANY PERCENTAGE OF THE BLACK VOTE, REPUBLICAN PARTY. YOU JUST LOOK PATHETIC FOR TRYING.

[anonYeMustBe]

Dude, where was the teleprompter? I saw her looking down at her notes ... didn't see her looking at a teleprompter ...

[Half Sigma]

"Dude, where was the teleprompter?"

CNN showed it. I guess they wanted to remind us that she was just reading from a speech that someone else (with a much better education) wrote.

[Mr. Mercy Vetsel]

Wow, are you guys clueless.

-Mercy

[Dan Morgan]

Wow, expectations were low - but she far exceeded them, at least for me. And she nailed Obama time and again while he has seemed untouchable before. It is just such an incredible story for a woman to come out of nowhere to gain this level of national attention. This morning on the New York Times most popular articles list, 9 out of 10 pieces were on her. With that kind of pressure, I am amazed at the poise and confidence she maintained. The Democrats should be worried.

[APH]

I must say it is nice to see a female politician on TV other than Hillary Clinton...

[White Fang]

Wow . .. Bow, Wow, Wow. Bow, wow.

Stop writing, "wow," unless you're a dog.

[Jack]

I loved Rudy's speech. Palin was mediocre.

Imagine that a few weeks ago, Levi Johnston was a bad-boy redneck hockey player from small-town Alaska and now he's waving to the RNC shaking hands with John McCain on stage. And even as a guy, I have to admit - the kid is good looking. Bristol must be a shallow girl. I'd like to interview that kid to see what he makes of all this.

There was a blog that appeared to be his. It turned out some guy in Phoenix was writing fake entries, but the original entries, from months ago, might have been his. He talks about playing hockey and how Bristol is hot.

Rudy's speech was a John Riggins run- rumbling, stumbling and tumbling but getting it done. I dont know how someone with such low public speaking skill manages to get his point across, but he does. Still, too mean spirited and gloss over for me. Was he actually going to get them to drill for oil at the Xcel center?

The Huckster was also good. Very funny in his jabs even tough they drew blood. Do I need everyone telling me the candidates' bio's though?

Romney- by far the best- a clear and persuasive refutation of the edifice of chiffon and meringue that was Obama's Denver speech. He pin pointed several areas where it is obvious that clearly Obama is wrong and blowing smoke on, and he explained why he Romney knows the position is wrong. If only the was making the case why he is the better candidate rather, alas. This was much more effective than Rudy- I know Obama isnt going to raise every tax and I know McCain isnt going to cut every tax. When you say it like that you are trying to fool me. McCain find a spot for him and pre-announce your cabinet.

Palin: Good speech, but it left me wondering why they didnt make more of a narrative out of the her life. Why exactly did she get into politics? What did she find when she got there? Its rare enough that a politician actually does something about corruption (usually is a headline grabbing self aggrandizing way like Eliot Spitzer) but it is really remarkable that someone does it to people in their own party. You could probably count the cases on one hand. It would have been nice if she had explained her thought process here and maybe tied it to why she got into politics in the first place.

I guess I am ok with the dings on the 'community organizer' since the press believes that is a kin to taking Holy Orders. Makes a nice contrast to the best line in the speech about the middle of America being the ones who drill the oil, grow your food and fight your wars. Take that HS!

Lastly thank God there was a skirt and not a pantsuit. Our long national nightmare is over.

[The Griffyn]

I'm not a fan of the GOP ideology, but here's my two cents.

Romney stunk. It was a stiff awkward delivery.

Lingle was forgettable, except when she praised the anti-abortion ideologues. I can't imagine that plays well in Hawaii.

I thought Giuliani did a nice job with his speech. We'll see if it was the right tone for September, 2008, but I thought he put a glove on Obama.

Palin wasn't as good as Giuliani, but wasn't as weak as the other two. The McCain campaign is trying to sell Palin as authentic. She's being misleading if not dishonest when she talks about the Bridge to Nowhere. Also, dropping the name of an oil production facility in Saudi Arabia seemed like she was namedropping (and dropping a name she didn't know before it was given to her).

Also, Palin has an 80% approval rating like Bush has an 80% approval rating. Those days are gone and they're not coming back.

[rightsaidfred]

Palin looks strong. Her 'down home', small town charm might prove a bigger draw than Obama's rock star gig. I think she should have skipped the paeans to McCain and just said "Look at me! I'm going to kick Obama's ass!"

[mikeca]

I like the part in the Romney speech about Eastern elitist. Romney is a multi-millionaire former governor of Mass. Doesn't that make him an Eastern elitist?

[David Alexander]

"YOU'RE NOT GOING TO WIN ANY PERCENTAGE OF THE BLACK VOTE, REPUBLICAN PARTY. YOU JUST LOOK PATHETIC FOR TRYING."

I suspect that there's a portion of the Republican Party that suspects that eventually, they can break the DNC's hold over the black vote, and thus secure electoral victories in the future. Of course, I suspect they're just doing so to avoid the perception of being an all-white party.

Anecdote: Of my grandmother's nine grandchildren, only one is a Republican, and interestingly, she's female, single with no children, owns a home in suburb of Atlanta, has a masters degree, and attended HBCU. She also taught in Atlanta Public Schools for a year, and she would agree with people who feel that "some" students don't need college, but competence with math and reading skills needed to succeed in the working world.

[Boss Hogg]

Holding an infant is now brandishing an infant? I'm fairly certain that bringing children, all children, to an event such as this is pretty common. Andrew the fudgepacker obviosly thinks that if your kids are there at all they are fair game. Unless they are possibly gay in which case its none of our business.

[Boss Hogg]

"Wow. Just wow. I had to turn off the TV while watching Sarah Palin's speech. I thought it was disastrous, and I think she might have to withdraw. So props to you, HS. She failed to address the allegations against her; she failed to demonstrate domestic or foreign policy chops; overall she came off sounding like a country bumkin. The line in her speech, "I was just your average soccer mom" - what the f**k? We want an average soccer mom running the country?"

Only a political philistine would think that addressing tabloid charges that truly have never risen to anything more worthy than something to be masticated by leftist bloggers would either befit or benefit a VP candidate giving her acceptance speech.

You REALLY think she's going to get up there and start talking about her daughter's fucking pregnancy or bother to insist on the genuiness of her recent one? Imbecile.

[The Griffyn]

Half Sigma, do you endorse referring to Andrew Sullivan as "Andrew the fudgepacker"?

From your blog it seems like the GOP is composed of cranks and bigots in coalition with people who serve as enablers for bigotry.

[Boss Hogg]

"YOU'RE NOT GOING TO WIN ANY PERCENTAGE OF THE BLACK VOTE, REPUBLICAN PARTY. YOU JUST LOOK PATHETIC FOR TRYING."

I'm fairly certain that the GOP doesn't control the cameras. If networks keep showing the few black delegates, you'll have to figure out there motivatations.

[Turambar]

What is with all the commentators feeling the need to get in that Palin had a speech writer? When is this mentioned about anyone else? All politicians at a any kind of level has speech writers and it really isnt a topic of conversation. Except for Palin, then its some kind of demerit.

I check those wacky Slate gals XX round up- three referred to her delivering a written speech or having a speech writer. I did a little research [take note HS- research doesnt mean squinting at a photo and guessing if someone looks pregnant and then posting]. None of the Slate writers mentioned speech writers for Obama, Bill, Hillary.

The only mention of a speech writer was in one of the four glowing writeups for Michelle Obama. "I think we should be mopping our brows with relief that Michelle Obama's speechwriters (or did she write it herself?) avoided the merest hint of sisterhood-is-powerful language". Even MO gets a pass that she may have written her own speech.

Why is Palin the only one who gets called out for having a professional staff? Are they going to mention that she is following an itinerary that someone else laid out? That she isnt using FinalCut to assemble her own ads? That she isnt doing her own tv makeup?

[Turambar]

MSNBC poll about how Palin did.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26536487/
One of the options is
"It remains to be seen what she can do on the campaign trail without a teleprompter and speech writer."

Who is else subjected to this criticism that they use a teleprompter to delivery a speech or that they have a speech writer?

BTW HS- The Corner says that the teleprompter malfunctioned

[Brick Oven Bill]

In 1789, it is estimated that only one in four males were eligible to vote based on means testing and taxation requirements. That electorate would have elected Mitt.

Now there are 150 million jobs (and fewer taxpayers as some have multiple jobs) in a country of 300+ million and all the non-felons over 18 can vote. So Sarah is the best pick we can hope for. Obama reads from the teleprompter, Sarah references it. I support her.

Things will change when the federal credit rating goes away. Printing money accelerates inflation, which will cause this to happen faster. John Adams noted that democracies are temporary things that eat themselves.

Putin is still pissed over Afghanistan. He is enjoying himself.

[freak show]

"I got the feeling her family is weirdly dysfunctional as well. Bristol looked like a stupid sluttly bitch."

it was sincerely touching but truly weirded me out when the youngest daughter was holding the baby and--- started licking her hands as she patted down his hair. i'm surprised i'm the first to comment on this. but, really, i understood this was a moment of white trash true love and found myself moved at the girl's honest gesture to her beloved brother outweighed how abnormal it might seem to 'normal' people.

i watched the speech at a gym on closed caption and didn't get to hear most of it. seemed well written.

there was no way in hell mccain was going to win with romney, rudy or huckabee. i doubt a white guy like pawlenty would do much good against a unique candidate like obama in a year where the masses are programmed to want a unique candidate. palin may or may not give mccain the win, but it is clear that after 8 years of bush, she is the best hope out of any republican this year. actually, she probably could beat obama one on one for the presidency if she were packaged right.

[freak show]

one more thing, levi is a good looking guy. like megain mccain, bristol isn't as pretty as her mom- although she is attractive. she is clearly procreating up, consistent with roissy's implication that this is easier to do for women than for men.

they really need to package this guy to neutralize the obama and his young mtv styled obamites.

shit, did this guy actually say something like, “Ya fuck with me I'll kick your ass."

what is this shit, a half- mexican, hockey luvin, redneck, good looking white trash? he needs to be introduced to the original good looking, white trash redneck, Kevin Federline.

[InterestedParty]

From Romney:

"Last week, last week, did you hear any Democrats talk about the threat from radical, violent jihad? No."

Umm, that strategy has been tried once and look where it got us. (The Dems supported it, but fortunately for them, Bush took all the heat). There are some radical muslim nuts who hate us - we get it. As long as they keep blowing up other Muslims in the middle east, we really don't care (perhaps sadly).

My impression of Mitt --- he's a smarter guy than the speech he gave. He's a smarter guy talking *down* to the populus...kind of like Obama...kind of like McCain. Palin is the only person amongst the Pres and VP candidates who I actually think is about as smart as the average American (that is, dumbest amongst all the candidates).

[asdfasdf]

>"And she nailed Obama time and again while he has seemed untouchable before."

YES. She tore the fucking bark off of Obama like no one else has (though Giuliani was real good). That line about the Styrofoam Greek columns...and the bit about the community organizer...pure gold. She is awesome, big props.

> "one more thing, levi is a good looking guy...they really need to package this guy to neutralize the obama and his young mtv styled obamites."

Definitely...maybe the Republicans need to release a video with "McCain guy" to combat Obama girl and have the girls salivate over. Seriously, the Repubs have tons of good looking girls and guys in the Midwest that they haven't properly brought to bear.

>" Mitt Romney gave the best and most intellectual speech of the night "

Romney is awesome no doubt. I voted for him in the primary over McCain...he's by far the most accomplished *and* conservative candidate (why oh why can't we have a CEO as prez?). I hope he gets a serious cabinet position or something.

Overall, I actually felt proud to be a Republican for the first time in years. I also felt like we could win this election for the first time since Obama managed to survive the Rev. Wright issue.

[Wayne]

The teleprompter operator kept it rolling several times while Palin was pausing for applause. So there were several times where she had to look at her notes or just wing it.

[Zeno]

Wow, the way Palin has the subrational left just foaming at the mouth means she may be on to something.

I mean, if she's a boat anchor on McCain's ticket, they ought to just keep their mouths shut, no? When your opponent is making a huge error, you don't encourage him to correct it.

Simply based on the people who hate her, I think she's got my vote.

[rightsaidfred]

>>>>She’s a better speaker than your average PTA president...

HS, this is just your nEW yORK snideness coming through. Just because she didn't cop the appropriate arrogant attitude you pulled out some of your off the shelf low IQ/prole criticisms. Please do better.

[Randite]

Forget everything you think you know. People vote for those that they like; Kennedy over Nixon, Carter over Ford, Reagan over Carter, Clinton over Bush, and last but not least Bush over both Gore and Kerry. Americans will fall in love with Palin (they already love McCain). Obama comes across as angry and uppity - proles can't get used to him.

[eh]

"Brilliant idea bringing Bristol's boyfriend down from Alaska."

Uhh, what was so "brilliant" about it? Considering all the not exactly flattering publicity, wouldn't transparently manipulative be a better description of it? Or maybe a desperate attempt at damage control? Under normal circumstances -- which we don't have here -- who really cares about the family of a VP candidate anyway?

[eh]

"they really need to package this guy to neutralize the obama and his young mtv styled obamites."

You've got to be kidding. HE'S JUST THE BOYFRIEND WHO KNOCKED UP THE WOMAN'S DAUGHTER.

Man oh man. America has really fallen down a rathole.

[Peter]

"one more thing, levi is a good looking guy. like megain mccain, bristol isn't as pretty as her mom- although she is attractive. she is clearly procreating up, consistent with roissy's implication that this is easier to do for women than for men."

I never thought it was possible that Roissy's name would come up in a discussion of national politics. Wrong, I now see.

Over the last several posts Griffyn has been attempting to impose politically correct censorship on this blog. This is the same fascism that universalist fanatics have been using for 60 years to suppress the reality of human biodiversity. Go to the other 99% of the blogosphere where crime think is banned, and leave our 1% alone. Pathetic turd.

[Free Beer]

Half Sigma, do you endorse referring to Andrew Sullivan as "Andrew the fudgepacker"?

Sullivan, one of the most prolific female political columnists in the world, is a dizzy, contrarian sodomite who can't make up his mind on anything. AIDS and the drugs he takes to "control" the most easily avoided disease in the world(which shows you how responsible and intelligent he is), have no doubt begun to wreak havoc with his originally fragile and hysterical mind.

[Johana]

Have mixed feelings about the speech in one hand, Palin did the job she was suppose to do that is as a VP candidate to delivered a red meat attack against the opponent and that she accomplished. Joe Biden did the same.

My disappointment comes from the fact that Palin as the first republican women to reach for a high office I expected her speech to be inspirational not divisive, hopeful not scary. Historic not forgetful.

I guess for the republican base she was what they wanted, but for me a stay at home mother of a special need child I still have to wait and see.

[whiskey]

What really killed was the family. The youngest daughter's obvious love for her baby brother showed the Palin family as "normal." Unscripted and honest. Just brilliant. A Norman Rockwell moment up against Obama's Black Yuppie Fashion accessory kids, out of a Gap ad.

The boyfriend's real impact is that he's not necessarily a Federline. He can get a good paying job with just a strong back, and afford a family of his own at 18. Without being a gigolo. Jobs will be brutal and dangerous, but he can do it. Ice Road truckers featured guys 20-21 with a wife and daughter making great money. Though at great risk.

Don't think THAT isn't huge. Most guys don't want to be eternal adolescents "settling" for some woman at at 35 who has sex partners in the 25-60 range. With maybe $55K a year spent on fertility treatments.

The other unspoken issue is that a working class guy like Todd Palin can get a beauty queen and afford five kids. Don't think THAT did not command men's attention. He makes around 100K a year on the oil fields and fishing.

Forget the speech, look at the visuals. Stunning. Romance and opportunity of the frontier vs. Obama's Gap Ad (or Target Ad with skinny models).

Palin killed with working women, particularly those with kids, just with the visuals, and also with men, particularly unmarried men.

[dls]

Palin reported on the logistics of military personnel. This places the soldiers and their teams in jeapordy, especially those with celebrity status. It's also illegal to divulge this information. Shows extremely poor judgement. Not good.

[family5]

As a mom of 3 children, I do not feel connected or believe Palin represents me. I wouldn't return to work after a few days, whether my child is special needs or just normal. We're in America and we're already behind industrialized, western nations in regards to Family leave. I believe she'd bring us backward . And she doesn't believe mankind contribute to global warming? Where is she from...oh, yeah small town in Alaska. Small town values are great, but not going to bring our country to international leadership in economy, technology, and to decrease global warming. And what I hate is that being "educated" is considered snobby? What happened to the value college, good schools? With our w/out her, I choose Obama.