I finally had a chance to see the Palin speech and can readily see why it is that so many believe a star is born. Sarah Palin was very commanding on stage. She knows how to give a speech and she knows how to communicate through a camera to her audience. I would advise the Governor to forgo the slight face-scrunching that comes with getting off a good line because I don’t think that she ought to telegraph her rhetorical punches to the audience. But those punches are exceedingly powerful indeed and it is clear that Governor Palin can more than hold her own in speechifying. A very worthy performance; anyone who goes up against Governor Palin had best bring his/her lunch.
John McCain will never be a great orator but he threw his heart and soul into his acceptance speech and I think the crowd noted and appreciated it. His grace note to Senator Obama was a very good one and yet, he was able to mix it up effectively policywise. I was annoyed–as I am sure others were–by the efforts that were made by protestors to disrupt the speech, but McCain handled it well. I was very pleasantly surprised and impressed with the significant attention that was paid to the need for school choice–I hope we see a lot more of that during this campaign. The call for bipartisanship when bipartisanship–or non-partisanship–can be achieved was impressive as well, though it ought to be mentioned that lots of times, partisanship gets a bum rap; there is nothing intrinsically wrong with having a side and fighting for it and partisanship that is kept in perspective and stems from heartfelt belief can be a tremendous service to the nation. The foreign policy discussion was impressive and important, as was the discussion over how best to keep government small, taxes low and the market free.
Of course, Senator McCain’s discussion of his captivity was deeply moving, as was the rousing end to his speech where wisely, he decided to speak with the cheers rather than wait for them to die down. The Senator needs to stop grinning whenever he thinks he has delivered a snazzy remark. And I could go the rest of my life without hearing the words “my friends.” But while Senator McCain is not a gifted orator, he is a tremendously passionate one. How could anyone who has gone through what he has not be passionate about America and about serving it?
If that passion shines through, he may yet win this election. Certainly, it seems that the American people are willing to give him a fair shake, a fact that so many, who have been so willing to believe that John McCain would be blown away in a rout, must find astonishing to contemplate.
Moe Lane
Steve Maley
Dan McLaughlin
Neil Stevens
Daniel Horowitz
Facial Expressions
Matthew Morris (Diary) Friday, September 5th at 1:34AM EST (link)The Governor’s slight face-scrunching: didn’t notice it myself. Although I did notice her being thrown off or ever so slightly distracted by something. Turns out, it was the bad teleprompter.
McCain’s grinning whenever he thinks he has delivered a snazzy remark: Yep, noticed that tonight and plenty of times before. Although it seemed to be more under control tonight.
I also noticed McCain making a strange facial expression a time or two- I am still not sure what to make of it. It seemed to be the sort of thing an amateur might do when they botched a line- sort of an “aww shucks, I’ll get it next time” or “there I go again!…” look. But he is no amateur, so I dunno. Anyone else notice?
“I AM WHO I AM”; and He said, “Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”
Ipsum esse subsistens
Both did a great job...
lonebeagle Friday, September 5th at 1:40AM EST (link)Both speeches accomplished the mission–Palin was fantastic and McCain was McCain.
Sarah Palin is an extraordinary leader with a Reagan like gift. She is so comfortable and has such confidence without being arrogant, shrill or edgy. She connects with people and anyone can relate to her because she really is just an “ordinary” person.
I really believe that she’s going to be the first female President of the United States. Her intelligence, wit, integrity and belief in herself as someone who wants to serve her country make her unlike any other female politician to ever to come along.
John McCain show that he can be trusted and that his motives stem from a love of this country and his belief in being a “team player”. The “team” is America.
McCain tapped the same ideas that motivated Reagan–a belief in the greatness of America and a sincere desire to serve his country and make it a better place.
McCain’s explanation of how he came to these beliefs was powerful. Being in a box as a POW made him realize that he needed his fellow Americans to survive.
Powerful messages and profound.
Obama and Biden’s speeches were flimsy and trivial in comparison. McCain and Palin will win this election.
Funny you mention the grining.
phxg (Diary) Friday, September 5th at 2:19AM EST (link)My wife, who I now know lives under a rock because she texted me that the “Woman’s daughter is pregnant, did you hear” today at 4:30, said the same thing.
I didn’t really pick up on too much having seen him speak many times before.
It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it. –Aristotle
Don't be a fool!
palinspolicies Friday, September 5th at 10:56AM EST (link)Sarah Palin has given this party an energy boost, but don’t let McCain fool you. He clearly picked her to appeal to the conservative base he could never connect with on his own. BUT DON’T BE A FOOL – at the end of the day, McCain is still making the decisions so Palin’s policy standpoints are worthless if they don’t agree with her boss. For example, McCain is pro-choice which angered plently of people so he brings in Palin who is pro-life. Suddenly these fools are happy because she shares their views. But when it comes time to making the policy decision, do you think it will at all matter that Palin is pro-life? No. So don’t let McCain fool you into getting you excited again. The only thing Palin accomplishes is fooling the idiots that actually think that now the presidential ticket agrees with them and their political views. Nothing has changed.
Blam.
Neil Stevens (Diary) Friday, September 5th at 11:00AM EST (link)Peddle your lies elsewhere.
RS contributing editor, technical administrator, and “a hardy variety of crabgrass.”
Read the RedState Posting Rules
Unlikely Voter: Poll Analysis, Election Projection.
“I rejoice that America has resisted.” – William Pitt, the Elder