Yes, it was a great speech, possibly the highlight of the Republican convention. And yes, it was the climax of a big day for the GOP. First Romney and then Huckabee made their effective case against Obama and Biden. Then Giuliani came in as the Mafia Man to rough up Obama, a bruising he delivered with obvious relish. I would not have thought Palin could top these three seasoned veterans, but she did. It doesn't really matter how McCain does; the Republicans are off and running.
Commentators have noted that Palin spoke with aplomb. The liberals had sought to portray her as a bungler and a problem pick, akin to George H.W. Bush's selection of Dan Quayle. But the attacks created for Palin a great opportunity. All she had to show was that she was not the small-town nitwit of Democratic propaganda. Palin also demonstrated that she could mount a devastating attack on Obama--basically a "community organizer" who knows how to talk a slick game--without coming across as mean-spirited. This is a real art, to know how to punch with a smile. As commentator Fred Barnes said later, this is not an easy skill to learn. Palin didn't really learn it; she is a natural.
What struck me most about Palin, however, was not her pungent one-liners or her savoir faire. Rather, it was her girlish innocence, her unexpected candor and small-town charm. Palin came across as a really wholesome all-American, a real contrast with all the men in the race. Both by her words and her style, she contrasted herself with both Biden and Obama. Biden is basically a mediocre fellow (he graduated in the bottom 10 percent of his law school class, where he was found guilty of plagiarism) whose only original ideas have been terrible ideas, like carving Iraq into small pieces. He is also a product of the back-slapping Washington D.C. establishment. Republicans haven't bothered to attack Biden because he isn't worth attacking. By contrast, Democrats are going crazy over Palin because she scares them.
Even Palin's so-called problems highlight her normalcy. So her husband had a DUI conviction twenty years ago. First of all it wasn't her, it was her husband. Second, how does this compare with Obama, who was snorting cocaine twenty years ago? The media, with its familiar one-sidedness, has been commending Obama's "honesty" over his drug use while blasting Palin for her husband's irresponsible driving. Then Palin's daughter got pregnant at 17: apparently the "family values" didn't entirely get through. Even so, Bristol and the boyfriend are keeping the baby and getting married. So responsibility wins out after all.
By contrast, Obama said he wanted to preserve abortion rights because if his daughters got pregnant one day he wouldn't want them to be "punished" with a child. (Let's be glad that Obama's mom didn't think this way because if she had at the age of 18, Obama wouldn't be around today.) Even Palin's alleged action to fire the state trooper who split with her sister and then harassed her is precisely the kind of action that most Americans would take in a similar situation. While Obama is a cunning Chicago pol who has played his rhetoric and his machine connections to rise through the ranks, Palin remains authenticially all-American with ordinary and recognizable problems.
The problem for the Republicans is that many Americans have become jaded about them. McCain's maverick reputation helps, but it doesn't alter this reality. Palin, on the other hand, is a completely fresh face. I predict she will appeal not only to Christian conservatives but also to working-class independents, male and female, who see in her the promise of real reform. Palin offers change, but this does not take the form of warmed-over socialism. Instead, it is change in congruence with traditional American values. I don't know if an unspoiled person like Palin can actually clean out the Augean stables in the nation's capital, but she does seem determined to try. She is the new star of this political race and already she has altered the whole equation.
Reader Comments ( Page 2 of 44)
16. Unfortunately, DD, the two big reasons you support Palin (other than the fact that you would support bart simpson for president if he was running republican) are the two things I do not like about her - her stance on abortion and religious leanings. Even so, she has gotten me excited about an election for the first time in over 20 years - go Sarah. Fortunately, my dislike for you has no bearing on my decision in this matter.
thinkin at 6:20PM on Sep 4th 2008
17. she just doesn't seem bright enough to figure out why Christianity is wrong. But, to be fair, neither do any of the others. Biden is a Roman Catholic. How anyone can be proud of being a Roman Catholic in this day and age is beyond me.
William Hays at 5:14PM on Sep 4th 2008
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And you are not bright enough to understand what is right about Christianity.
Observant at 6:27PM on Sep 4th 2008
18. Rev, we "just might get our country back from the loony liberals" ??? I guess you haven't noticed that the country has been under control of the "moral Christian Republicans" for the last 8 years. If you have a problem with the way things are going, your ire is misplaced. They've screwed things up, now you're asking for more of it? Gotta hand it to the Republicans, they sure keep people drinking the Kool Aid, in spite of all measurable evidence that by ANY standard, they really suck at running things. And btw, DD, the first comment is completely correct. Palin did not write her own speech. She parroted what was fed to her. Squaaaak! Squaaaak! Palin wants a cracker!
Jude at 6:35PM on Sep 4th 2008
19. 5. Dinesh D'Souza YOU AND THE SLEAZY REPUBLICONS YOU ARE IN BED WITH ARE ALL HISTORY NOW. THE YOUTH OF AMERICA WILL NO LONGER TOLERATE YOUR WARMONGERING AND DECITFUL RAPING OF OUR NATIONS WEALTH AND OUR PLANETS HEALTH. EVERYONE 35 AND YOUNGER WILL BE REGISTERING TO VOTE THIS YEAR. WE WILL EVERY SINGLE ONE OF US CAST OUR VOTE FOR BARACK OBAMA. YOU AND ALL THE OTHER CREATURES LIKE YOU ARE DOOMED COME ELECTION DAY.
Steven at 5:30PM on Sep 4th 2008
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Wishful thinking at best...
America is at least two generations away from a black president. And when it comes time ,it wont be a silver tounged devil called Obama-nation.
Observant at 6:36PM on Sep 4th 2008
20. DD: "...without coming across as mean-spirited"
What speech were you watching??? Not the same one I was, apparently.
Ryan Anderson at 6:49PM on Sep 4th 2008
21. She was awesome!!! I'm a professor at University of Alaska and I was impressed even though we know her here.
As for Obama's intelligence boredwell - intelligent doesn't always mean possessing common sense. If he is so intelligent he should have gone into science and done something rather than voting "Present" 130 times. Einstein was brilliant - he did NOT belong in the White House. He could rarely find the university on his own. Reagan was not so smart and rarely read - yet had the common sense to lead a nation amazingly.
Palin is awesome.
Jlp at 7:06PM on Sep 4th 2008
22. How anyone can be proud of being a Roman Catholic in this day and age is beyond me.
William Hays at 5:14PM on Sep 4th 2008
Yes, Hays, that's beyond your understanding. That and a lot more.
Reepicheep at 7:07PM on Sep 4th 2008
23. A modern day Esther. The transcending Biblical wisdom is amazing.
The Republicans played this one beautifully.
Vito at 7:15PM on Sep 4th 2008
24. Reagan was not so smart and rarely read
xxxxxxx
- Apparently this is a pretty consistent trait in Republican candidates of late... But should we be electing people who wear ignorance as a badge of honor?
Pliny-the-in-Between at 7:16PM on Sep 4th 2008
25. I came up with an answer to my own question (post 20).
Christians and/or Republicans must have a much higher threshold of meanness for something to be considered "mean spirited".
Ryan Anderson at 7:29PM on Sep 4th 2008
26. - Apparently this is a pretty consistent trait in Republican candidates of late... But should we be electing people who wear ignorance as a badge of honor?
Pliny-the-in-Between at 7:16PM on Sep 4th 2008
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Do not elect obama, problem soloved.
Observant at 7:31PM on Sep 4th 2008
27. ATHEIST
Does anyone understand what the President of the United States DOES?
He's not reading a monologue and he's not telling jokes, despite the "Great Communicator" reputation of Ronald Reagan.
George W. Bush made a decision to fight a war. A war that nobody wanted. Lots of people in both parties thought it was a great idea at the time.
That's what happens when you elect DimWits.
Saddam Hussein was President for a REASON. He was the leader, and the most brutal, of the largest political group in his country.
You can arrest Hussein... but six months later, there's going to be another one taking his place.
Unless you leave American troops there forever.
________________
Reply to: Sarah Palin was so good with her speech that I wish SHE was the front runner with McCain as Veep.
Reply to: 13. McCain understands one thing after last night. Those people in that hall would flush him in two seconds and rather have her as the nominee if they could.
_______________
That's what the Democrats have been saying for years. If you allow someone BETTER to get some of the spotlight, guys like George W. Bush and 72 year-old John McCain look awfully weak as Presidential prospects.
The BEST candidate... would be an ATHEIST who understand why Christianity is a con game and isn't afraid to say so. But such a candidate can't get elected... because the voters are dimwits.
And no, I'm not talking about Lieberman.
I'm talking about someone who isn't afraid to identify himself as an Atheist... because Christianity is trying to destroy this generation's faith in evolution and "finding the correct answer." they say "Have faith... and let God show you the way." Which is NONSENSE.
William Hays at 7:53PM on Sep 4th 2008
28. ATHEIST
How anyone can be proud of being a Roman Catholic in this day and age is beyond me.
Reply to:22. Yes, Hays, that's beyond your understanding. That and a lot more. Reepischeep
_____________
Being a Catholic is something to be ASHAMED of.
The idea that a man who won an ELECTION should be considered god's representative on earth is ridiculous.
Have you read the New Testament?
An "unclean pneuma" (demonic spirit) says "I know you are Jesus, the Holy One of God."
An invisible demon gives Jesus as reference as a Holy One?
that should make an intelligent person laugh out loud.
Look, I know what's wrong with you. You've been dumbed down and taught NOT to think.
There are no demonic spirits.
The world did NOT end with a resurrection of ALL the dead while Paul was still alive.
the Son of Man did not appear in the clouds while some of the people who heard Jesus preach were still alive.
The FACTS are 100% that the New Testament is nonsense.
Being a Roman Catholic... means you're the victim of a scam, and lack enough integrity to admit the truth to yourself.
William Hays at 7:59PM on Sep 4th 2008
29. Republicans don't have to know how to govern since
they outsource the governing of our country to
multinational corporations and their operatives.
Nothing but figureheads.
BOB JOHNSON at 8:58PM on Sep 4th 2008
30. The Real Source of Obama's Appeal - to one guy at least...
I have a great job, make my own way, pay my own bills, have worn the uniform in the service of my country, got killed by Clinton's tax plan, am married to my loving soul mate of 17 years, own a couple of long guns, and talk with a slightly southern drawl. So what appeal does Obama hold for me?
Talk about your Horatio Alger stories, this is it. Here's an extremely intelligent and articulate leader who's rise to national prominence is an actual example of what normally is just the mythology of the American Dream for many people. He inspires with an optimistic vision of what America can be again - while not skirting the fact that it will not be easy to accomplish. No empty shirt he. Sneer when you call him a mere organizer but look at how many disparate people he has brought together. And it's a pleasure to hear a candidate who reminds us of the power of language to move mountains rather than make us wince. Great things can begin with mere words. Will he accomplish everything he wants? Who knows. But at least he is one who makes a lot of us want to try and find out. He can't do it alone of course (a fact he makes plain) but he is energizing a lot of people who can help make it happen. He's no messiah just what appears to be a decent man who tries to find common ground rather than incite divisions. And to try and find a solutions that help all Americans. Label it socialism if it soothes a conscience or two but for many of us a great country is one that also cares for all of its people.
Then there is the fact that his candidacy can't help but inspire a lot of kids out there. I know it sounds trite but how many children who might never have imagined that such a dream would be possible for them will be forever changed on the day when Obama hopefully will be sworn in as President. What will be the result of all that ambition and hope? What great things will they accomplish that otherwise would not happen? How great will America be when all of its citizens truly feel a part of it?
I for one would love to find out. I'm sure that others feel differently but that's not my concern. Come this November I will get a rare pleasure that I have never experienced before. I will actually be voting for someone instead of against someone as has been the case up to now. That holds a lot of appeal.
Pliny-the-in-Between at 9:07PM on Sep 4th 2008