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EDITOR OF REDSTATE

The Next President

By: Erick Erickson (Diary)  |  August 31st, 2012 at 03:30 AM  | 

RESIZE: AAA

What a difference a speech makes. As Ari Fleischer noted on CNN, the same media that was cool with the shallow vapidity of hope and change in 2008 is now demanding specifics from Mitt Romney. Last night in Tampa, he gave the one set of specifics he needed to give — a course correction.

The Democrats are screaming that it is a return to the 1950′s, when unemployment was less than it is now. That is a talking point. Mitt Romney made a very simple case for himself last night: the President promised the oceans and the earth. He’s just promising to help Americans. It was a modest plan with bold implications.

The speech was the best speech Mitt Romney has ever given. The material might not have been the greatest, but Romney himself delivered it with more substance than the text. The story of the rose will resonate. The desire for parents to have their kids piled up back on the bed will resonate. Mitt Romney will resonate.

Last night on MSNBC, viewers were treated to a spectacle akin to animals flinging poo in a zoo. They were unhinged. It was like Baghdad Bob had taken over. That the left is in such a meltdown is a very good sign for the GOP.

Now a word on Clint Eastwood.

It was entertaining, but it was weird. Many Democrats are scratching their heads wondering what the heck that was. I’ll tell you what it was. It was the unscripted conversation of an independent voter coming to terms with the end of the Obama love affair.

That speech may not resonate inside the beltway, but it resonates in Ohio and Florida and Wisconsin and other swing states. Clint Eastwood made people comfortable laughing at the President and Joe Biden, the great intellect of the Democratic Party, a smile with a body behind it.

I thought it was bizarre. But as a friend pointed out, lots of politically astute people thought Carly Fiorina’s now infamous demonsheep ad was bizarre and it turned out to resonate with people because the bizarreness and unfamiliarity with what they were seeing made them pay attention.

Clint Eastwood did that and it worked.

But let’s be honest. By the time Marco Rubio was a quarter of the way through his speech, Eastwood didn’t matter too much. Rubio hit it out of the park. It was the perfect set up to Mitt Romney.

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COMMENTS

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  • http://www.RightonMainSt.com Mike Merrill

    Right on all counts. If Marco Rubio hit it out of the park, then Mitt Romney hit a grand slam to win the Series. As a veteran/entrepreneur/Tea Party supporter, I can honestly say this is the first time Mitt Romney reminded me of Ronald Reagan. He was strong, personable, and believable. He spoke with conviction. He stirred up the crowd, and he stirred something inside me I haven’t felt for the past 3 1/2 years. If Mitt can stay fired up– and keep the crowds fired up– he can win this thing!

  • commonsenseobserver

    It’s time for us to cement the contrast between two tickets, two records, two philosophies, and two visions.

  • albertmaslar

    Let’s see what happens in November as the SEIU union goons spearheaded by ACORN types stuff the ballot boxes in close states and attempt to STEAL the election Chicago style.

  • sharonclhl

    I thoroughly enjoyed all I heard. I feel Mitt Romney connected with real people in a way he perhaps has not in the past few months. What I noticed about his history is his ability to bring a ‘team’ together to accomplish tasks. Ronald Reagan had the gift of being able to delegate tasks using individuals that shared his vision. I believe Mitt Romney has and will accomplish more than any ‘one man’ because of this ability. President Reagan ‘turned the ship of state’ and changed course. I believe I see this same God given gift in Mitt Romney. My prayers are for Romney and Ryan to be blessed and touch the souls of the American people and restore that sense of American ingenuity and values we all cherish so deeply. I pray also that God intervene to stop illegal voting and Chicago style politics that will inevitably be present in this election. I’m tired of ‘the flood of lies’ pouring down on our nation from the left and will celebrate it’s demise.

  • http://impudent.edublogs.org/ kyle8

    Indeed it was a strong, strong finish. Now let me make one prediction. The Dem convention is going to be such a circus of hate, attacks, horror and sob stories it will do the final job of running off any independents who are still wavering.

  • rcsjr2

    Mr. Rubio did provide a strong finish. He was focused and to the point. While Clint’s presentation may have been quirky, it demonstrated an independants view of the miserable job this administration has perpetrated on the American public. November can’t get here fast enough!

  • DVPTEXFLA

    I think it is fair to say Mr. Eastwood knows how to tell a story which allows him to connect with his audience.

    As for Mr. Romney….I see a very successful man, husband, father businessman, who has accomplished much in public service and a man of strong faith. My only problem with Mitt Romney the man, I wish I could be more like him. It has been a very long time since we have had a candidate for President who I can say that about.

    Mr. Romney was not my first choice, but he is looking like a great choice. As Michael Moore has said, we need to get accustomed to saying President Romney.

  • tnfriendofcoal101368

    I thought Eastwood was funny, I laughed, more than that I laughed at Obama. I bet a lot of independents had the same reaction, I did and if you are comfortable laughing at Obama – you’ll be ok not voting for him. I am not surprised, the liberal democrats in the national media don’t have a sense of humor.

  • lakeshore

    I was wowed by the Romney and Rubio speeches. Romney showed what he is capable of, and who he really is. Ask people who actually know Mitt Romney, who he is–not media types. He’s more real than they are. It’s morning in America again.

  • jdbixii

    Hopefully, people will not forget that the oceans did not cease to rise and the American heartland did not heal this past year. Whether fate of nature or providence of God, some things are above the just power of the president to change or inclusion in the consent of the governed in majority rule expressed in election. The recognition of what can be done rather than what can’t, whether a limitation to an achievable goal as opposed to a limitation on logical solutions, is what is desperately needed for the country. If to human-behavioral causality is attributed the responsibility for the upset of nature, it is human behavior which needs to change in order that nature is not adversely affected. We need to acknowledge that “less is more.” Less costs less.
    We need to get our moral priorities in order. They work for us. Virtue is its own reward.
    Let’s stop politicizing and paying the cost for wrong choices. They don’t solve any problems.

  • APA Guy

    Another word on Clint Eastwood…
    I was watching him with some friends of mine who are self-described Independents (and 2008 supporters of Obama). They looked like they had a come to Jesus moment when they heard him talking about Obama.
    Eastwood’s commentary will resonate with more people than we can possibly imagine. It wasn’t scripted…it wasn’t a set of talking points. It was a genuine commentary about a failed president.

  • runner12

    I think Eastwood was quirky, which was what made it cool and funny. Like you said, it wasn’t a set of talking points. It was just a mattter-of-fact commentary on Obama. I know that I laughed out loud several times.

    The Left is in a tizzy about it, so you know it was effective.

  • proudmarinemom

    Those for whom the subtle, sardonic humor of an 82-year-old American icon was too sophisticated would do well not to advertise their own intuitive impairment.

    Clint Eastwood was absolutely, hilariously spot-on. His comedic sense, especially with the impediments of old age, is not only intact, but sharp as a popcorn fart. He nailed it.

    Marco Rubio, with his solemnity, his dignity, his timing, was — and is — a Rock Star. Watch this guy again: the slight tilt of the head, the eyes just a little askance, the strained half-smile at the mention of “President Obama” — that was an Academy Award performance, but it was no act. This guy means what he says and he says it very, very well. Martin O’Malley peed himself last night at the thought of opposing this guy.

    And Romney, not polished or slick, was perfect. P E R F E C T.

    Keep your negative criticisms to yourselves. This is a time for lifting these men and women up, and in so-doing, lifting this country back to what it once was.

  • bk

    Another difference vs the past…. The same nuts on the left who criticized every speaker for talking too much about themselves this week thought Barack Obama gave the greatest speech in history when he spent about 18 hours at the 2004 convention talking about how he was God’s gift to mankind.

  • aeaeren

    I can say I am inspired to vote for Romney now. It was the personal stories about what he does when no camera’s are around that did it for me. It’s not like I was going to vote for Obama anyways but now I am inspired to vote for Romney and believe he can do this!

  • tngal

    Sharp move by someone to include Jane Edmonds. Not sure if MSNBC ran her or not. But she described herself as a liberal democrat so I would think she of all people would have gotten on. Broken down, it appeared the convention featured liberal democrats, former dems, mods, a nod to libertarians, and fi-cons. Wow. Something was missing…

  • westcoastpatriette

    Feeling proud of my party. We have so many outstanding leaders and the uplifting focus on what makes America so special was like a breath of fresh air.

    And I agree that Romney, Rubio and Eastwood were pitch perfect for the night. I gained more respect for Romney as he allowed his Mormonism to be referenced several times knowing that some will use that against him.

    But still, my absolute favorite zinger for the convention was when Susana Martinez told the story of when she and her husband had their political epiphany, “Da#n! We’re Republicans!” Hilarious. Hispanic ex-Democrat. Perfect.

  • snappy101

    There is a very good reason why Romney’s speech wasn’t specific. It’s deliberate. It’s strategy.

    You don’t give your opponent something to pick apart at his convention. Had Romney laid out the specifics on Thursday, The Obama braintrust would change Obama’s speech at his own convention to pick apart everything Romney said without anyone to refute it. They’d have days before the DNC to figure out how to do it. Obama’s lips to audience ears. Instead, Romney waits for the debates to lay out the specifics because:

    1. Obama will have to react to the specifics of Romney’s plan, in the debates, without any help from his minions and without access to data. Romney will have no such problem in the debates as he will be attacking Obama’s 4 years as President.

    2. The Obama fans who weren’t watching Romney’s convention speech will be watching the debates to see Obama. Romney can present his plan directly to them (from the horse’s mouth), not the interpretive version by the media blowhards and Democrat speechgivers.

  • lizfstone

    As my 24 year old daughter said in summing up the convention, “I believe in America; I am inspired!”

  • citadelveteran

    MSNBC? OMG! I had to hold my nose and watch MSNBC last night for a time to see coverage last night due to AT&T taking Fox News off the channel plan my family has. Unhinged is too kind. Chris Matthews was defending and correcting blatant mischaracterizations and outright lies being made by Ed Schultz and Rachael Maddow. I lasted all of five minutes before my stomach couldn’t take anymore. I wonder what color the sky is in their world? I hope and pray that common sense prevails, Romney and Ryan are elected, it pushes these liberal commentators over the edge, and they can get the mental healthcare they so desperately need.

  • fisk2521

    I have never enjoyed a convention more…. Romney was great, as was Ann. I loved so many speakers: Condoleezza Rice was amazing, also Gov. Christie from NJ, Paul Ryan, Susanna
    Martinez, the Governor Susanna Martinez, Gov. Nikki Haley from S. Carolina. and of course Marco Rubio who hit it out of the part.

    Clint Eastwood was great… I wouldn’t expect the left to do anything but denigrate him since he isn’t drinking their Koolaid like much of the Hollywood crowd; proving really that the mainstream media is no longer relevant.

    The stories about who Romney is were inspiring. I learned much about him that I did not know. He never took a salary as Gov. of Mass., or the Olympic head for Utah. He makes time in his busy life for his family, friends, church and gives of himself in many ways without exploiting the situations for his own gain. Unlike our President he is not obsessed about himself and his accomplishments.

    I believe his motives are exactly what he says; to help recover our greatest country in the world and restore the American Dream. He simply is the right man for this time.

  • taxpayer1234

    BOOM.

  • commonsenseobserver

    One thing about Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan- they’re both servant-leaders who want to get in office to fix things and bring real change. Mitt balanced budgets, lowered taxes, made politicians and special interests accountable, and protected equal opportunity for all. Paul fought for the same in Washington. What a refreshing contrast to the most elitist and corrupt of them all- the Obama administration.

  • proudmarinemom

    Ooh-Rah.

  • taxpayer1234

    I loved Romney’s speech. He hit a grand slam, ran 99 yards for a touchdown, and slam-dunked from the top of the key. Can’t wait for November!

  • APA Guy

    GREAT point about servant leadership, CSO. In fact, I think the leadership theme should be trumpeted until Election Day. How can the American public possibly see Obama as a leader? The man hasn’t led anything save the outright destruction of the U.S economy. Romney can take that baton and run with it as he continues to hammer Obama on the economy.

  • tnfriendofcoal101368

    I’d go with CNN – sure Wolf will bore the crap out of you and you will have to listen to some lies but at least you might get to see Erick Erickson and you won’t have to stomach Madcow, or Big Union Ed or Chris Tingles or Missy Racebaiter-Harris or Reverend Al Dull or Code Pink Hayes or watch Steve Schmidt’s daily attempt to blame someone else for his own ineptness. Wow, man I am sorry for you.

  • salemst

    I grew up in Barney Frank’s district and live in Massachusetts–one of the 15 conservatives in the state.
    I supported Romney back in 2008 and this time. What you have to understand about Mitt Romney is he’s an exceptional human being. His wife is an exceptional human being. His kids. Paul Ryan. This exceptional human being surrounds himself with other exceptional people. People at Bain were the same way. Bain is annually one of the top 2-3 companies in the country to work for by US News World Report and others. Exceptional people can’t be quantified. Excceptionalism can’t be measured. You recognize it when you see it. The pick of Paul Ryan being an example.
    He refuses to talk about all the great deeds he’s done. Like a war hero refusing to talk about what happened in the war. The man has literally saved lives, generous, community/national service oriented, selfless, humble, humility, rock solid character…..I’ve recognized for a long time his Reaganesque manner.

    He’s evolved to across the board conservatism.
    Final thing. Conservatism can be judged a couple of ways. Do you consistently stand for the same things you did 20 or 10 years ago? Or, do you do what you say you’re going to do? Romney is the latter. Everything he ran on in Massachusetts back in 2002 he did, or seriously tried to do…or more conservatively.

    You want to know what Romney will do as president? Listen to his campaign. He’s not a typical politician. He’s a tremendously successful self-made businessman. You don’t stay that way in business unless your words/deeds can be trusted and taken to the bank. Your customers abandon you when you’re dishonest or expedient cutting corners on them. Mitt Romney stuck with Bright Horizons Daycare for 5 years before they made a profit. He stuck with his wife when fallen ill.
    Is there any question he’s going to stick with America? Any question?

  • tnfriendofcoal101368

    As I said above, the real shame should be in the media in that Eastwood asked that empty chair better/tougher questions than the MSM has asked the President of the United States through 2 campaigns for President and 4 years of failing at being President.

  • irishgirl

    concur, because they damn sure can’t point to anything positive in the last four years that they’ve done.

  • proudmarinemom

    55555. Awesome comment.

  • Bill S

    This.

  • renl57

    It’s got nothing to do with the GOP “losing its conservative sense.”

    Here’s the GOP’s problem:

    May 26, 2011

    Married Couples Are No Longer a Majority, Census Finds

    By SABRINA TAVERNISE

    WASHINGTON — Married couples have dropped below half of all American
    households for the first time, the Census Bureau says, a milestone in
    the evolution of the American family toward less traditional forms.

    Married couples represented just 48 percent of American households in
    2010, according to data being made public Thursday and analyzed by the
    Brookings Institution. This was slightly less than in 2000, but far
    below the 78 percent of households occupied by married couples in 1950.

    What is more, just a fifth of households were traditional families —
    married couples with children — down from about a quarter a decade ago,
    and from 43 percent in 1950, as the iconic image of the American family
    continues to break apart.

    http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/26/us/26marry.html

    The GOP keeps appealing to the same group: Married couples with children. But this group is now down to only 48% of households. (And since the GOP has trouble appealing to black voters, subtract them out; and then married white couples with children represents perhaps only 45% of households.)

    The GOP has little to say to sexually active single women, to single moms–except to suggest that their lifestyle is deficient or even immoral. When you criticize a single mom (whose numbers are growing rapidly) by telling her that her children are worse off without a dad, don’t expect her to ever vote for you.

    There were no speakers from those groups at the GOP convention. But there will be plenty at the Dem convention.

  • Lucas Black

    It was a good speech. I didn’t think it was quite as good as McCain in 2008, but it more than got the job done. It shored up Romney’s weak points and he should be in a strong position to finish, now.
    Clint was weird and it made me a bit uncomfortable to watch. I certainly don’t see it costing Romney anything and if he gains from it so much the better. There were some lines I laughed at, no question.
    Rubio was also great and I look forward to more from him in the future. My one regret was that the family who lost their young son to cancer were not on later in the evening where more people could have seen them tell their story. I’m no sissy, but I was in tears.

  • commonsenseobserver

    We must approach this matter with a strong moral grounding, especially with regards to the strength of the family and the wellbeing of the child. And the most important moral virtue is compassion.

  • johnthebaptistmoore

    Always, watch on C-SPAN, either on TV, or online. No “talking heads” getting in the way, and it’s, always, unfiltered.

  • johnthebaptistmoore

    C-SPAN: Always, the best choice for “everything political”.

  • jamesm

    1) Go ahead and make my day. Clint Eastwood speaking at the convention will focus Americans to vote against Obama. Always the no nonsense character in all of his films-he takes down the bad guys. Last night he did it again. Clint on the side of good pointing out the bad guys and taking care of business. No nonsense. This will resonate up past election day.
    2)Marco Rubio is the guy. Riveting, articulate and Florida is going to Romney. A true leader
    3) Mitt Romney showed he is ready to clean up the Obama mess. The one thing that stands out is Mitt Romney comes across is the type guy you would hire to solve the problem. Whether business or government he appeared “competent” This is a complement in these years of Obama, Biden, Holder and Napolitano. Obama will not sleep well from now until the moving van shows up at the door. G’bye, incompentent Obama. Go ahead and make my day.

  • redstateneck

    Romeny is competent, He’s not “the dictator.”

  • jmcmd

    I have always felt that in order to win this election Romney needs three groups of voters. 1. Those who voted for McCain (I can’t see any McCain supports turning to Obama). 2. People who were inclined to vote for McCain but were turned off by Palin (we have to be honest with ourselves and realize this was not an insignificant number). 3. Persuadable Reagan (Romney) Dems. The Paul Ryan pick secured the second group and last nights speech began the process of winning over the third. I think Mitt gets a bump from the convention and goes ahead for good. People are now less inclined to believe the dirt coming from the Obama camp and with good debate performances by Mitt I think the pattern we are going to see is similar to that in ’80 with Reagan-Carter but not to the same magnitude.

  • ashland_avenue

    I have a graduate degree in economic statistics, an award for writing about nuclear power, sat on two boards and having both succeeded and failed am now building a firm out of little more than an idea.

    Never in all the hundreds, maybe thousands, of Solid Waste Management Committee or City Council meetings, never in in a business presentation, never in covering politicians campaigning have I enjoyed a talk more than the one Clint Eastwood gave last night.

    It was reminiscent of Jackie Gleason’s Joe the Bartender.

    I and the other others at a Romney Victory Center who watched Clint perform (because that’s what he did) laughed, howled, commented, reacted.

    Having Clint on, and allowing him to proceed, was a stroke of political brilliance.

    Jackie Gleason didn’t connect with everyone, just most people. About the folks who (among other things) couldn’t appreciate Gleason, my late father used to have a favorite expression.

    It seems particularly apt vis a vis MSNBC and its cohorts.

    I will clean it up, slightly. They think (when they go) it don’t stink. It’s the gas they pass which gives them away.

  • funwithknives

    Anything that outs Barry is a welcome addition.
    Anything that draws attention to Barry As Failure is wonderful.
    The delivery could-a been more polished but It Was CLINT EASTWOOD for the love of mike.
    Many people of all stripes are drawn to ‘Bizarre’ and if it gets us more Allies, I’m all for it.
    Scads meet me and say out loud I am ‘unserious’ ,and worse.
    Doesn’t last long, rest assured.
    BTW, where are my buds? Teresa, Gekster,Last GOP in Ill., S.Maley
    Where did you all get to?
    It’s lonely out here….

  • HopeHeFails

    The lib media haters said their were no specifics of what Romney would do… Uh, energy independence by 2020? Gee, that might require some jobs to be created.

  • chbroussard

    You are obviously a woman after my own heart. You go girl!!

  • jamesm

    No Bill
    This. This.

  • Xasteius

    http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/aug/30/single-gals-choose-romney/

  • jamesm

    Agreed. Clint will resonate with more people that are not the political types. He represents the straight talking guy with no bull. People love this stuff. (Setting aside any dispute over his policies..California elected Arnold Schwarzeneggar) Americans like their movie heros. Just a couple of facts. Clint was elected mayor of Carmel with 72% of the vote. Ronald Reagan congratulated Clint on his victory.

  • http://www.americanthinker.com/2012/04/holders_revenge.html John T. Bennett

    Mitt Romney should look straight at Obama in the debates and say, “Anyone can sound smart reading off of a teleprompter. What we need is someone who has produced jobs. This country needs someone who has produced more than words.”
    The greatest part of the movie 2016 was Shelby Steele’s devastating critique of the voters’ shallow infatuation with Obama. Steele painted a portrait of a guilt-ridden voter who wants to make a statement about how high-minded they are, while being completely shallow. Faded posters indeed!

  • docnick

    Eastwood’s support of Romney will make a difference to lots of voters. He was there for a purpose, I think it worked.

    I feel better after watching the speeches. We are in the final quarter of this game. (67 days) Each of us needs to come up with ten more YEA votes. Where to find them in the states that are needed is the problem . If you have any good plan please let me know.

    Ron docnick37@gmail.com

  • commonsenseobserver

    Heh, Obama’s now visiting Louisiana on Monday after Mitt’s announcement.
    Meanwhile, Joe Biden will be attacking Paul Ryan for telling people the truth about Obama’s broken promises to Janesville voters. Given that the MSM will try to play these two things up, it’ll be interesting to see how Team Romney responds.

  • ctpsb

    Hopefully this will help ease your mind. Don’t get me wrong there’s still a long ways to go and many things can happen and people can still be fooled but…….
    http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/315538/poll-gives-romney-double-digit-lead-among-independents-katrina-trinko

  • irishgirl

    Excellent suggestion. Just the simple truth.

  • jamesm

    Conservatives need to understand that Democrats hate, absolutely hate to be mocked. Clint mocked Obama and Biden. He was funny. Obama has given us plenty of material. Clint has shown us how to win-mockery of Obama. They hate
    Palin because she is good at it.

  • streiff

    Alinsky’s Rule 5, as opposed to Stacy McCain’s Rule 5.

  • jamesm

    Yep.
    Come to think of it….Sarah..double trouble for libs

  • Xasteius

    I think Jane Edmonds got MSNBC time…according to twitter

  • notpropagandized

    Wondered if there’s some dementia in that halting, stuttering delivery but then thought it would be nice to be so entertaining at that age. Having any bit of Clint Eastwood is a big bonus for Boomers who remember the Duke and grew up watching this icon and learning to whistle A Fistful of Dollars and offer challenges of Go Ahead, Make My Day. He was a little mean and he wasn’t. He walked off stage and we knew, “Hope Change Forward., We’ve got a problem”.
    Thanks Clint, now go make another great flick!

  • Melody Warbington

    jamesm, he didn’t just mock the Dems. He committed the sin of mocking Hollywood and Oprah. In front of millions. On TV. And he doesn’t care what they think. Oh, the horror of it all. For them.

  • littlehouse18

    I share your concern, though I don’t understand your attitude towards Romney. Over the past coupke of months I have developed a deep respect for the man, despite some differences in policy.
    I am now at peace with whatever may happen, because we have have as good a ticket as we could possibly have. Looking at that arena last night I was just struck by the thought of what a collection of good and decent people we have on our side. The programs could not have gone better, even if some speakers were not particularly smooth. If this country is so indoctrinated, or so consumed by the venial, by the worst in human nature (greed, envy, hate, deceit, etc.), then so be it. We will have chosen the better part.

  • tnfriendofcoal101368

    David Axelrod is right; this is an election with a clear choice. One of the candidates spent his life building successful businesses, improving others lives, and doesn’t see the need to brag about it. The other guy built no business, improved not one life and wrote two books and to brag anyway.

  • tcgeol

    Speaking the truth hurts you, sometimes, but it has to be done. Conservatives and Republicans want the same good for those groups you mentioned above as we do for any people, but we don’t have to support and defend problems and sins. If telling a single mother that her children are worse off without a father offends her, we never had her vote in the first place. Frankly, if she is so ignorant that she doesn’t already know that, she has to be a Democrat anyway. As far as young sexually active single women, again, the majority of their votes are going to the Dems anyway – we really have little to lose.
    If any of these groups are interested in the future of our country, they will vote Republican – it is that simple. If they just want validation of their lifestyle, then the Democrats are the far better fit for them. We need to emphasize to all citizens why voting for conservatism is better for them and the country as a whole, but not just do anything for votes at the expense of our principles.

  • Common_Cents

    obama is a rock star, he is the milli vanilli lip syncing rock star president. “Girl, you know its true!!!”

  • rightlane1111

    While this convention was scripted and well presented…there were some real stars. First…I was impressed with Condi Rice because of no teleprompter. What a contrast to Hildabeast…huh? I’ve been into the blogs. Sorry Dems and MSNBC…your reporting of Dirty Harry doesn’t fly with everyday Americans. Of all the people to pick on…Clint Eastwood who is universally liked by everyone…no matter what party was a mistake by the libs. If they want to say it was weird or his was disoriented…well I guess the Dems are picking on the elderly..no matter how they spin this…THEY LOSE. Yes..Eastwood, let us laugh and that was the set up for Rubio. Rubio is good. Yes, Kitty…I like Ryan and someone needs to get into Obama’s face. As an aside…I wonder how bad Axelrod is feeling now that he knows Biden’s debate opponent. Marco Rubio, I believe will be the POTUS one day. My take on Romney…he had more emotion in this speech than any other. He needs to be mindful that few in our country have a nodding acquaintance with humility. Romney needs to spell it out for people AND KEEP THE PROMISES HE HAS MADE.

  • Charles Cianfrocca

    It took me a while to realize what was so different about Mitt’s speech. I just couldn’t put my finger on it. Then it dawned on me — that sing song, up and down cadence of the baptist preacher and the motivational speaker and the, well, the ‘community organizer’, that every politician you ever hear anymore has to use, was absent. He was talking like someone who doesn’t think you’re a moron to be talked at. He was actually communicating.
    It was so novel anymore that it was downright jarring.
    As to Rubio, my girlfriend hadn’t heard of him. He spoke for a couple minutes, and she was rapt. She turned to me finally, and said, “who is HE??” I said, ‘Marco Rubio, Florida Senator… probably he was Mitt’s alternate for VP…” She replied, “WOW, he speaks well! It’s amazing!”
    I didn’t know what to say, so I said, “well, for 4 years we’ve been told that *Obama* speaks well, so it’s not really a fair fight at this point… but yeah, I think so too.”
    Clint Eastwood… yeah, I thought it was weird. But it worked in its way. He’s sort of a cultural elder statesman. You cut him slack instinctively. And let’s face it – it is refreshing to see someone from Hollywood who loves his country. As I said earlier – it’s downright novel these days.

  • kentucky

    Whew. Liberals are losing their minds. I’m going to watch election night coverage on MSNBC strictly for entertainment purposes. Their tears will sustain me for one thousand years.

  • Viet71

    I’m optimistic.

    Romney has a decent chance of winning.

    He’d make a fine, enlightened president. Ryan would be a great V.P.

  • streiff

    completely agree. Look at how long we’ve beclowned ourselves playing the Dems game of pursuing minority voters or whatever as an interest group rather than on our principles.

    To the point made up thread, children in single parent households do worse on every conceivable measure. If you don’t like to hear it, I can’t help you. Homosexuality is objectively horked. Taking, and not even passing, 8th grade biology should teach you that. You shouldn’t get money from the government for nothing. That is stealing from other people known as “taxpayers.” There is no definable difference between abortion and infanticide. If someone is offended by any of this then they aren’t going to vote for us anyway.

  • dgoods80

    I would qualify myself as an independent and voted for Obama in 2008. I’m 32 now and I can say the reason I did was because I didn’t know any better and much of what I knew and was learning about politics at that time was fed to me via the easiest thing to get information from, the liberal media. The election of Obama and what has unfolded over the last 3 1/2 years has been the catalyst for me realizing how foolish I was to be force fed the politically biased garbage much of the media force feeds the public without other avenues of information and I hope many people my age have had the same realization.

    I thought Mitt’s speech was solid. It wasn’t amazing, but it did shed a little more light on the person Mitt is as human being and was very well delivered. I was disappointed the biographical video about Mitt was not shown during primetime so the country could see it, because it gave a further glimpse in to humanizing Mitt and was touching. Rubio and Ann Romney were sooo good! Christie was great, but I was a little disturbed with the lack of focus on Mitt. I hope the idea was to reflect on the approach of the party and the idea that taking a tough situation on against the odds is possible to overcome with good ideas and tough decision making and not more about self indulgence, which is how it kind of came off.

    I found myself flipping back and forth between Fox and MSNBC just to see the production of each network and the obviously opposing approaches. It just amazes me how desperate MSNBC is right now. Choosing not to air speeches from Mia Love, Arthur Davis, and Jane Edmonds is so absolutely pathetic. Everything about the feedback of that network is so disgustingly negative it makes an open-minded independent voter such as myself despise the liberal media even more and not even want to listen to their view point. The hammering of non specifics in Mitt’s speech is hilarious. I personally think Mitt would be foolish to unleash specifics to plans at this point as the rabid media would do everything possible to tear it down. I think it’s smart.

    I will watch the DNC, and while there is no prayer I will cast another vote for Obama, I fear the energy there will be much greater than the RNC because of the age group. I would speculate there will be a younger liberal crowd that will bring a lot more energy than the RNC crowd and I hope it’s not the case because we all know know how much the media will blow it up and compare it to the RNC if that is the case.

  • http://libertynews.com/ mbecker908

    Yep. And I really liked her comment about guarding the Bingo parking and her dad giving her a 357 magnum that was as big as she was.

    What I can’t wait for is the speakers list from the DNC. What I’ve see is just scary.

  • http://libertynews.com/ mbecker908

    The “younger liberal crowd” will likely be more than offset by the older than me (and I’m OLD) and dumber than rocks speakers they’ve got lined up.

  • jazzycmk

    It was a pretty much a great convention. Great speeches, great messaging, great diversity, etc.
    All that being said, the Eastwood bit was just weird, period. He had a couple of good lines, but for the most part he seemed to be searching for words. The empty chair bit was just surreal.
    But that aside, it was a good week.
    Now, full steam ahead. Release the war chest. Release Ryan. Pound that pavement.

  • Jack_Savage

    I really liked MSNBC. It is so much funnier than Jon Stewart could ever have been. I keep thinking about “Men In Black I”, and imagine that they will all start pulling their faces off and turning into bugs, then scurry to the waiting ship.

  • acat

    Ace of Spades already took several pot shots at the DNC’s published list, look over here: http://ace.mu.nu/archives/332415.php

    They do seem to be going with “pro-choice-a-palooza”, which is sure to be a loser of an issue for ‘em. (if Connecticut is looking at a Republican for Senate …it’s not an election about abortion)

    What’s notable, and Ace does this far better than I do, is the .. dearth of real talent on display. Lots of mayors – Nutter (Philly), Emanuel (Chicago), Castro (San Antonio), Booker (Newark), Villaraigosa (Los Angeles) – all from big failing cities… but where’s the sitting Senators or Governors? Lots of former Governors – Clinton (Arkansas), Carter (Georgia), Crist (Florida), Granholm (Michigan), Kaine (Virginia) .. ah, there’s a sitting Governor after all! Patrick (Massachusetts).

    Does anyone else remember 2004, when then-unknown Barack Obama first wowed the Dems with his oratory? Do any of these mayors seem up to that bar?

    This looks like it’s going to be a nightmare…. Good! I hope they #Fail!

    Mew

  • tngal

    Where was Limbaugh? I beg of you. Where was Levin? I beseech you. Where was Sarah? I implore you. Where was Demint? I demand of you. ( Sorry commonsense. I apologize. While I appreciate you’re tempting me with medium steak, I prefer my red meat served in the medium rare range. Although, I can take a little “rare” on occassion and go with Micheal Savage. )

  • lvjohnston

    As a longtime resident of downstate Illinois, I can only say that I wish Chicago didn’t matter in the state elections, too!. Will still vote because to do otherwise will be a vote for more of the same… and the country could use a little more “R n R” and less “hopey – feely”

  • lvjohnston

    I have read the ‘rules’ but sorry to say, I still would still have the problem in lowering myself to the required level of mendacity to actually use any of Alinsky’s rules against my worst enemy.

    Even the least offensive ones would leave me covered with the stench of slime and gutter trash. I say leave the trash talk to the playground bullies and DNC operatives… but I repeat myself.

  • lvjohnston

    Jack, I think the allusion will still hold but it will be more like rats fleeing a sinking ship!

  • http://libertynews.com/ mbecker908

    renl, you’re a complete ignorant jackass.

    In point of fact – that’s F.A.C.T. – the single most certain indicator that a child is going to grow up in abject poverty and spend a life accomplishing nothing but maybe survival is that the child is born to a single mom.

    In fact, testy things facts, that girl’s lifestyle is deficient and immoral and will destroy both her and her children. She’s not likely to stop at one and it’s very likely they’ll all have different, and absent, sperm donors.

    The United States of America cannot afford to support the little bastards – look it up – and their birth girls. They’re not “single moms”. They are the very seeds of destruction of this society and somebody has to speak up and tell ‘em they’re destroying themselves, their babies and their community.

    The last thing I would rate as a positive would be having the incubators vote Republican because we create or support an environment where they feel comforted or that they are somehow a good influence on anything.

  • kev2m6

    Your opinions do matter. I haven’t seen you on here but Im not a regular. I’d like to know what you thought of Clint’s speech? Does it help or hurt Romney or Pres. Obama? Or does it simply go away like thd Eddie Murphy and the transvestite story?

  • vakat

    Stop paying attention to the polls! Do you not realize that democrats are weighted more (by sometimes 10%) in the responders??

  • lvjohnston

    After watching it for the first time tonight, I had to see the media spin on the ‘empty chair’ bit.

    The ChiTown Trib has a headline that reads: “Eastwood, empty chair hijack Republican media coverage”. They are, after all, the ‘media’ whose coverage had been ‘hijacked,’ the poor things!

    Seems that this is difficult for them to parse into their alternate reality/ parallel universe story-telling. I would love to be a fly on the wall on election night, listening as the disoriented, disjointed laughter fills the room and watching for the rapid eye blinks as stunning reality creeps upon them. Priceless!

    The HuffPo crew can only think of describing how Mr. Eastwood could have made it worse! They even have one of these oh-so-slick-slideshow embeds that force you to click through to see the full story (and so the lack of real content is easily overlooked). Good for a laugh or two but then only if one has the mentality of a 6 year-old.

    Way to go, HuffPo! Continuing on in the fine tradition of “Setting new standards of dumbing America down on a daily basis™” A ‘wardrobe malfunction’? Really?

  • evilbloggerlady

    Mitt is next, but I bet Ryan and Rubio make it eventually too.

  • evilbloggerlady

    I had a couple of lefty friends email to ask: Who was that guy who introduced Mitt Romney? Is he a republican? I replied: He will be President someday.

  • http://poorwilber.blogspot.com Poor Wilber

    Eastwood hit something over Obamaland, they are sqealing something fierce. The louder they squeal, the more I like it.

  • tnfriendofcoal101368

    RNC convention featured young talented up and comers like Mia Love, Marco Rubio, Susanna Martinez, and Paul Ryan (note the diversity); Dems idea of up and coming is Bill Clinton and Charlie Crist?

  • tnfriendofcoal101368

    Is it just me or has MSNBC’s party of diversity lining up a host of “Old White Dudes”: I mean Clinton, Carter, Crist….I’d whole lot prefer hear Eastwood interview an empty chair which like Obama had nothing intelligent to say than hear one of Jimmy Carter’s anti-Israel, pro-Palestinian screeches. Come to think of it, Carter’s opinion that Israel is an apartheid regime is right in line with Obama’s….

  • lizfstone

    Her other comment is even better: “It was exactly what I wanted to hear — it wasn’t big words and empty
    promises from a good speaker. It was comforting words from a good man
    who loves this country, believes in this country and wants to make this
    country a better place.”

  • evilbloggerlady
  • carolina

    I feel the same way. Those personal stories did it for me also. He is a good man who will do the best he can for our country. I can’t ask for anything more than that.

  • acat

    Y’know, now that you mention this, I’m even more impressed by George W. Bush. He did his job, he went home, he stayed out of it.

    Bubba Clinton has always struck me as a bit of an attention whore. I’m not sure whether his need for the camera’s approval, or the Dems’ need for him as a figurehead (really shows how weak Obama’s appeal is) is more pathetic.

    Perhaps someone thought Charlie Crist represents a new minority bloc for the Dems to try to leverage .. the oompa loompas? Charlie is clearly what “sore loser” laws exist for, he’s pissed off that he was (rightly) passed over and is now throwing away any chance he had of a comeback. (see also the sad, bitter demise of Arlen Specter)

    Mew

  • Next93

    This is a problem that’s rooted in the very foundation of the conflict between conservatives and progressives.
    The progressives see themselves as moving towards a goal. They’ll never admit (out loud) to supporting “ends justify the means” thinking, but history paints another story; as long as “progress” is being made, they’re winning, and neither ethics laws, constitutions, commanments, or human lives can be allowed to stand in the way of “the movement”.
    Conservatives, on the other hand, see themselves as standing for a set of principals; more freedom, smaller government, lower taxes, less regulration, equality of opportunity, rule of law. Being chained to a set of principals means that you CANT say that the ends justify the means; it doesn’t do you any good to gain power if in the process you’ve sold out those principals.
    What it boils down to is that you’re right – sinking to thier level isn’t a way to win, it’s just a different way of losing

  • commonsenseobserver

    Obama talks about Romney’s plan: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6H4Od-bs8Ns&feature=g-all-u
    That reminds me about Obama’s economic policy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PPfkDCyn8k