Republican Convention

[Sean]

So I just watched Fred Thompson and some of Lieberman's speech (had to walk the dog). I can't help but feel disturbed by the Republican rhetoric, the inordinate focus on military pride, and even the people they keep showing in the crowd. The chants of "USA", and the thunderous applause for bald-faced lies are simply creeping me out. Saying that Obama is against funding the troops? Saying that he doesn't want to protect babies? As a centerist, it's no secret that I do support some conservative principles, but the behavior I'm seeing in this convention today is extremely disturbing.

[cured]

I fashion myself as a centrist, as well, and this is typical rhetoric to spew because a lot of viewers in the republican base can't really see through it. McCain voted against the benefits increase to the troops and supported the war that the heroes they portrayed were killed in.

Lieberman really let me down. I was expecting something with a little firepower and that speech nearly put me to sleep. I think it nearly put the crowd to sleep, as well.

The interesting bit, going back to what Sean was saying, was how Fred Thompson's attack wasn't on policy. Obama was attacked for being one of those evil liberals nobody can trust. I've noticed this isn't an attack policy the democrats have adopted. Deriding someone as a slimy conservative hasn't exactly been a staple of democratic rhetoric, the language has always taken a different form: warmongering, corrupt, "Good ol' Boy", special interest, out of touch with America. But playing the conservative card has a tendency to tick off the religious folk who the Republicans can say are safely on their side.

It's because they're stupid.

[kagenaki koe]

oh wow, i wasn't expecting to see the POW card story told again. and thanks for telling me that you aren't using this hurricane deal as a political feel good ploy. oh, and sarah is a darn great candidate. i can't wait for her to mention hillary's success in a non-pandering tone in the next few days.

[IsiliRunite]

Originally Posted by Sean

I can't help but feel disturbed by the Republican rhetoric, the inordinate focus on military pride, and even the people they keep showing in the crowd. The chants of "USA", and the thunderous applause for bald-faced lies are simply creeping me out.

The conventions, like both parties platforms, are places for pedantic, unreasoned kool-aid sipping.

[kagenaki koe]

feels like a war rally.

[cured]

The speeches by Giuiliani and Palin were certainly critical of Obama but both wandered off into "not telling the truth anymore."

It'd be a mistake to focus on Palin, though...I'm pretty sure her ethics probe will do quite a good job of that.

[kagenaki koe]

hard to believe in the message of Reform....when most of the guys using the rallying cry look like the poster boys of The Good Ol' Boy's Network.

then you get to Miss Reform herself, who outside of metioning the actual word reform, really just parroted the same old party line.

[Sean]

The outstanding element of the whole night for me was the glaringly low-class on display. Such school-yard tactics. They're betting that there are enough uninformed people out there that their bs will work. They may yet be right, but I for one find that approach insulting.

[cured]

That's one of the problems I have with the GOP. Whatever they don't like, or even better, whatever they're threatened by, has them reverting from logical debate to scare tactics and name calling.

Palin built herself up, pity she has to go back to her own state and answer questions about firing the top cop in her state over a family dispute (I understand the trooper did have a not-so-awesome record but her staffers were evidently caught on tape making inquiries on behalf of the governor).

That's when she isn't answering questions about some of the falsehoods and hypocrisies she introduced and carried on in her speech.

[cured]

By the way, Sean, going negative is what got McCain to catch Obama in the polls. These next two months are going to be ugly.