DNC2012: SWING FOR THE FENCES

In Charlotte, the Dems should leave the lie-attack to Joe Biden, the economic argument to Bill Clinton, the human dimension to Michelle.  The President himself should mount the  bully pulpit and proclaim a NEW WAY, a bold plan to rebuild the national infrastructure, make sweeping educational reforms, investments in research and innovation, a Green Army on the order of the CCC, a creative mortgage relief plan in league with the banks on the order of the Home Loan, and a Productivity Corps largely financed by private companies.  He should not mention Romany by name, he should not mention Bain.  I think he should not even mention taxing the wealthy, although when he appeals to business to cooperate in the New Way, he should underscore the moral obligation to give back.  He should declare in stirring language that the Old Way has brought about economic collapse, political stalemate  and disheartening negativity.  To point out that the Old Way is corrupt and debilitating is not to apologize for America.  This call to action represents the People's Choice, not Washington's choice, not a partisan choice.  The president calls for a united commitment to move Forward, to be our best, to embrace our deepest national identity: one nation, under God, with liberty and justice FOR ALL.

RNC2012: THE EMPTY CHAIR

Romney's speech was fine if judged by the a B actor playing the part of the president at the local dinner theater, though it was far, far short of the last time a real B actor did that turn.  But in the real world the speech was pretty uninspired.  Most of it was a laundry list.  The critique of Obama was very generic.  I was actually surprised by the triumphalist, militaristic section at the end.  I suddenly had visions of LBJ's mushroom cloud ad.

I did like the story of his dad and the daily rose.  I had heard it before though.

But let's face it, the only thing anybody in America was talking about tonight was not Mitt's Big Speech.  Clearly the highlight -- that can't be the right word --  of the evening was, well you know, Clint and the empty chair.  He actually led the crowd in in chanting MAKE MY DAY in unison.

Hollywood belongs to the Democrats.  Eastwood certainly blew The Good, and went well beyond The Bad.  It was just plain ugly.

Lightweight

I thought Paul Ryan looked and sounded like the President of the High School Debating Society.  His speech sounded, not like a "new generation", but like Barry Goldwater, right down to inveighing against the "central planners", except he also brought Jesus into it.

That kid of his, however -- I think her name was Lisa -- was smashing.  She reflected well on her dad.

RNC2012: Return of the Menace

Okay Mitt, I guess this is it, the beginning of the real campaign.

I thought your wife gave a very nice speech.  She helped you there.  Toward the end she was rushing a bit and I didn't like her swipe at those unfortunates who dare to attack your success.  I guess I can understand her spousal sensitivities, but she should have taken that line out.

The Big Guy gave a real stemwinder, a damn good speech.  But all that castor oil stuff Gov. Christie seems to have received from his sainted mother, that jazz about sacrifice and hard choices --what exactly does that have to do with you?  Fact is, the keynote address had almost nothing to do with you, which may explain why you looked so zoned out while listening to it.  Or maybe you were just wondering what this Jersey-boy-working-class-hero-bully-boy rhetoric had to do with button down equity capitalism.  The large fellow seemed to be running for something himself.

Anyhow, guv, it was a good start.  Carry on.