This was a memorable convention, but for the wrong reasons. All week the media was teased about a mystery speaker. But the mystery was not the speaker but the speech. Michael Moore said it best in today's Daily Beast. "Speaking to Invisible Obama last night, in a performance that seemed to
have been written by Timothy Leary and performed by Cheech & Chong, Clint Eastwood
was able to drive home to tens of millions of viewers the central
message of this year's Republican National Convention: "We Are
Delusional and Detached from Reality. Vote for Us!"
Fittingly, this bumped an excellent biographical video of Romney out of prime time. Over the three days Romney seemed more a party crasher than a party leader. Never in the modern history of staged conventions has a nominee's name been so infrequently invoked. Marco Rubio, charged with introducing Romney, did not let that task interfere with his opening speech of the 2016 presidential campaign. In this he was merely following the precedent of the speeches by Chris Christie and Rick Santorum.
With the help of speech writers, speech coaches, ample rehearsal time and two teleprompters, Governor Romney gave, what is universally acclaimed, as the best speech of his life. Sadly, it was still the least memorable speech ever given by a nominee. But the bar was low. Whereas the president had to prove he was born in America, Mitt merely had to prove he was born. His sometimes touching stories about his parents, his sons and his wife, did enough to dispel the internet rumor that he is an automaton financed, and built, by the Koch brothers. That is just as well, since they might have asked for their money back.
The speech had another distinction. Never in the history of the republic, during a time when our armed services are engaged in a conflict, has a major party nominee failed to mention the war or thank the troops who are in harm's way.
Friday, August 31, 2012
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Republican Circus
The side shows at the convention were scarier than at most circuses. Two conventioneers threw peanuts at a black CNN cameraman saying, "this is how we feed animals." The crowd listened intently as New Mexico Governor Susan Martinez spoke of helping her family security business, as an 18 year old, by guarding a church parking lot during a bingo game. But they rose to their feet when she told them that her father wanted her to have protection, so he gave her a Smith and Wesson 38 magnum. Finally, Senator McCain advocated delaying the withdrawal of troups from Afghanistan and taking a role in the Syrian conflict.
Ryan's performance in the center ring was a crowd pleaser. There was no "communication breakdown" for the Led Zeppelin fan. He had a calm, optimistic delivery. Unlike his running mate, he can even be funny. The speech was well crafted, at one point almost poetic, "grasping at the
moment that has already passed, like a ship trying to sail on yesterday's wind." The discussion of his mother was a more effective appeal to women than the more blatant approach by Ann Romney.
But if the devil is in the details than the Congressman is not on "the stairway to heaven. " The GM plant that Ryan eulogizes was set to close before Obama took office, too late to be helped by the GM bailout that Romney opposed. Obama's plan extends the life of the Medicare Trust by 8 years. These are but a few of the misstatements. More importantly, for all his talk of hard choices, Ryan did not describe any of them. Everyone generically likes reduced government spending and lower taxes. But the actual cuts in government spending hurt the middle class and the working poor, while tax cuts favor the rich. Deregulation helps some companies but often at the expense of the public. If it sounds like George Bush, all I can say is "the song remains the same."
Ryan's performance in the center ring was a crowd pleaser. There was no "communication breakdown" for the Led Zeppelin fan. He had a calm, optimistic delivery. Unlike his running mate, he can even be funny. The speech was well crafted, at one point almost poetic, "grasping at the
moment that has already passed, like a ship trying to sail on yesterday's wind." The discussion of his mother was a more effective appeal to women than the more blatant approach by Ann Romney.
But if the devil is in the details than the Congressman is not on "the stairway to heaven. " The GM plant that Ryan eulogizes was set to close before Obama took office, too late to be helped by the GM bailout that Romney opposed. Obama's plan extends the life of the Medicare Trust by 8 years. These are but a few of the misstatements. More importantly, for all his talk of hard choices, Ryan did not describe any of them. Everyone generically likes reduced government spending and lower taxes. But the actual cuts in government spending hurt the middle class and the working poor, while tax cuts favor the rich. Deregulation helps some companies but often at the expense of the public. If it sounds like George Bush, all I can say is "the song remains the same."
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Republican Version of the Wizard of Oz
Tuesday night at the convention was an odd interpretation of the Wizard of Oz. Chris Christie tried to give Mitt courage while Ann Romney proclaimed that her husband had a heart. Yet we were left with the strange feeling that there was a huckster behind the curtain. Every effort was made to hide the yellow(gold) brick road leading to the (Bain) Capital. Fortunately we all acknowledge that Mitt has a brain, so we were spared a third speech.
Christie's topic of political courage, mainly his own, does little to help Romney. No examples were given of Romney's political courage. Nor is this surprising. When Romney draws a line in the sand he makes sure it is close enough to the water to be wiped out with the tide. Christie's speech like Santorum's earlier, was the opening volley in the 2016 nomination fight if Romney is defeated. In fact with the exception of Ann Romney's speech, Mitt was scarcely mentioned. He has the numbers, but he does not embody the heart and soul of this convention.
Heart was his wife's department. She gave a good speech. But the media gushing, let alone Erin Burnett's tear, was a bit much. Each 4 years we seem shocked that with coaching and rehearsal a candidate, or his spouse, can read a speech, prepared by professional writers, from a teleprompter. So we are not seeing Ann's heart, but rather, the campaign staff's goals. The speech confirms concern over the gender gap. Half of it was directed straight to women. That seemed patronizing, but I am not the intended target. It may have scored.
The rest of the speech was to undercut Romney's negatives. Ann mentioned three times that he makes her laugh. We had a common man anecdote with a basement apartment and makeshift furniture. But the speech should have had far more personal stories. Finally we are told we can trust him. From the speech we know that focus groups consider Romney a humorless, untrustworthy rich guy that does not understand their problems.
One line near the end of the speech is perplexing. "He will take us to a better place, just as he took me home safely from that dance." After the election I hope he clicks his heels and takes her safely to any one of their homes, so long as it is not 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
Christie's topic of political courage, mainly his own, does little to help Romney. No examples were given of Romney's political courage. Nor is this surprising. When Romney draws a line in the sand he makes sure it is close enough to the water to be wiped out with the tide. Christie's speech like Santorum's earlier, was the opening volley in the 2016 nomination fight if Romney is defeated. In fact with the exception of Ann Romney's speech, Mitt was scarcely mentioned. He has the numbers, but he does not embody the heart and soul of this convention.
Heart was his wife's department. She gave a good speech. But the media gushing, let alone Erin Burnett's tear, was a bit much. Each 4 years we seem shocked that with coaching and rehearsal a candidate, or his spouse, can read a speech, prepared by professional writers, from a teleprompter. So we are not seeing Ann's heart, but rather, the campaign staff's goals. The speech confirms concern over the gender gap. Half of it was directed straight to women. That seemed patronizing, but I am not the intended target. It may have scored.
The rest of the speech was to undercut Romney's negatives. Ann mentioned three times that he makes her laugh. We had a common man anecdote with a basement apartment and makeshift furniture. But the speech should have had far more personal stories. Finally we are told we can trust him. From the speech we know that focus groups consider Romney a humorless, untrustworthy rich guy that does not understand their problems.
One line near the end of the speech is perplexing. "He will take us to a better place, just as he took me home safely from that dance." After the election I hope he clicks his heels and takes her safely to any one of their homes, so long as it is not 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
Vancouver Photos
Friday, August 24, 2012
Jukes and Clubs
I will be celebrating my birthday in Vancouver, and will be off the grid. Upon my return I should have some restaurant reviews to intersperse with musings about the Republican Convention. For now let me post some juke joint pictures from a 2009 birthday trip.
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Romney's Pathway to Heaven
Why did Romney pick Ryan? The positives are obvious. He is a fixed, and seemingly serious, picture which cannot be erased on an etch-a-sketch. This adds gravitas to the ticket, particularly on the issue of deficit reduction. He is loved by the base in an election that may hinge more on turnout than convincing an ever dwindling number of undecided voters. He puts Wisconsin in play.
But the negatives are equally obvious. The Ryan budget is something that the President can, and will run against. The election becomes less of a referendum on the President, and more of a choice between two tickets. The desired message of jobs and the economy becomes diluted by discussions of Medicare vouchers. Ryan's social values are another dangerous diversion, which has become obvious, with the Akin detour.
The answer lies with Romney since, if media sources are to be believed, he made the decision himself, over the initial opposition of his staff. The answer is what I call the pathway to heaven. We all want to think well of ourselves. In doing that we tend to over value those things we are good at, and under value qualities we lack. An analytical person might think more highly of people who are logical than those who are intuitive.
Romney is a number cruncher, and highly values that skill in Ryan. The Mormon church is central to Romney. He could not pick another Mormon, but Ryan also strongly values his church. But the key is that behind the often arrogant sneer, and the fake laugh, Romney is, and always has been, a very handsome man. Not surprisingly, all of his spokes people, both men and women, are quite attractive. He over values good looks, so Ryan's six pack abs were the clincher. With hopefully outdated thinking, Romney believes that his deficit with women will be reduced by Ryan's appearance and that younger voters will identify with his youthful vigor.
But the negatives are equally obvious. The Ryan budget is something that the President can, and will run against. The election becomes less of a referendum on the President, and more of a choice between two tickets. The desired message of jobs and the economy becomes diluted by discussions of Medicare vouchers. Ryan's social values are another dangerous diversion, which has become obvious, with the Akin detour.
The answer lies with Romney since, if media sources are to be believed, he made the decision himself, over the initial opposition of his staff. The answer is what I call the pathway to heaven. We all want to think well of ourselves. In doing that we tend to over value those things we are good at, and under value qualities we lack. An analytical person might think more highly of people who are logical than those who are intuitive.
Romney is a number cruncher, and highly values that skill in Ryan. The Mormon church is central to Romney. He could not pick another Mormon, but Ryan also strongly values his church. But the key is that behind the often arrogant sneer, and the fake laugh, Romney is, and always has been, a very handsome man. Not surprisingly, all of his spokes people, both men and women, are quite attractive. He over values good looks, so Ryan's six pack abs were the clincher. With hopefully outdated thinking, Romney believes that his deficit with women will be reduced by Ryan's appearance and that younger voters will identify with his youthful vigor.
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Isaac Could Be Stern
Tropical Storm Isaac could make landfall as a hurricane during the Republican Convention. This sour note is not the only discord for Romney and the convention. Romney may wish he had a solo, instead of a duet backed by the Republican chorus.
The libretto for the past two Republican Conventions supported a Constitutional amendment outlawing abortions even in the case of rape or incest. A repeat performance at this convention would have drawn scant media attention but, enter Akin stage right. The spotlight on this issue detracts and distracts from Romney's economic theme.
Having Ryan playing base reinforces the problem. Ryan has co-sponsored legislation with Akin which distinguished forcible rape from other forms of rape. He also joined Akin on the proposed "Sanctity of Life Act" which defines personhood as beginning at the time of conception. Would women be jailed for using IUDs?
Hopefully, woman and independents will not buy this ticket.
The libretto for the past two Republican Conventions supported a Constitutional amendment outlawing abortions even in the case of rape or incest. A repeat performance at this convention would have drawn scant media attention but, enter Akin stage right. The spotlight on this issue detracts and distracts from Romney's economic theme.
Having Ryan playing base reinforces the problem. Ryan has co-sponsored legislation with Akin which distinguished forcible rape from other forms of rape. He also joined Akin on the proposed "Sanctity of Life Act" which defines personhood as beginning at the time of conception. Would women be jailed for using IUDs?
Hopefully, woman and independents will not buy this ticket.
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