Thursday, September 02, 2004

Obligatory link to RNC Bloggers - the credentialed bloggers are doing a great job. Go pay them a visit for their coverage of the convention. They’ve gotten some good interviews and photos.

Can you say Red Meat Night? Last night we dined on much protein from our keynote speaker and VP. And while I enjoyed it immensely, there’s a small part of me that’s a little concerned that some on-the-fence-but-leaning-to-Kerry voters may have been pushed over to his side by the vehemence of Zell Miller’s speech. Also, I was a little concerned that leading with Miller’s stemwinder might hurt the Vice President, but he was the calm, collected breath of air that was needed in the aftermath.

So a few, more specific thoughts:

1. I was flipping in and out from 7pm to about 9:30pm. No one really impressed me too much as being a standout.

2. Third Day was fantastic - they chose a very MOR song, not too overtly Christian lyrics-wise, but rockin’ - so I’m wondering how many delegates will go out hunting for their CD and be surprised to find them in the Christian section of the music store? I’m not much into going to concerts, but that’s a band I would love to see play live. I love, love, love them.

3. I’ve always been a fan of Michael Reagan. His obvious adoration of his father really moves me. His comments as a pro-life adoptee were pretty powerful, I thought. Oh, and a nice tribute to Ronnie, but I wasn’t as moved by the video as others. Probably because it was basically a rehash of the week of funerals and whatnot from June. I was more intrigued by the selection of folks that were chosen for the voiceovers on the video - you’d think they’d pick people whose voices will stand the test of time since this will be at the library, right? So, I’m not so sure I would have gone with Bill Frist, his majority position notwithstanding. Guiliani and Arnold, I get - they have recognizable voices. I just think of some 8 year old kid who’s dragged to the Reagan library and has no clue who the southern guy is who’s telling him about Reagan’s legacy.

4. I have nothing new to add to the general concensus that I’ve been reading online and hearing on the radio about Zell Miller’s speech. I was a mite bit surprised by the passion behind his words. What I found most interesting was the contrast between the visuals of the speech versus the auditory tone. I was writing my long post last night when his speech started, so I wasn’t looking at the TV for the first few lines. And I thought he sounded fantastic - natural, relaxed, passionate. And then I looked up at the TV and I was startled to see this wooden robot standing at the lecturn, rigidly turning left and right to read the prompter. What the? I looked away again and back was the fiery and resolute Zell - looked up again to see the robot. It was really bizarre so I just listened to the rest of this speech, which was just what the base of the party needed.

5. Lynn Cheney is a solid speaker and I liked how she gave a little humanizing to her husband.

6. I love our Vice President. I love that he’s stolid and low key and all that the left criticizes him for. He’s unflappable, as evidenced by his non-reaction to the nutjob that tried to interrupt his speech. He is a wonk, which is exactly what I think our VP should be. Good speech, great lines, and nice lead in for President Bush to finish tonight.

I’m excited about the President’s speech tonight. I can’t wait to see how his speaking “in the round” will translate on TV. He’s definitely at his best when speaking in that manner.