Bush speech, Part 1

Yes...there will be a second part tomorrow. You think this is long...

I’m watching MSNBC because a) the major networks have eschewed all convention coverage to date, b) CNN is a cheerleader for Kerry, c) Fox News is a cheerleader for Bush, and d) PBS leans so left that they’re sorry that Nader can’t get coverage. So, my evening online diary:

8:10pm – Since I haven’t looked, I ask out loud who might be speaking before Bush. The Centrist Dudette postulates that it will be George Pataki, because “it would make the most sense to continue beating the 9/11 drum.” Sounds plausible.

8:14pm – Tim Russert & Tom Brokaw have already conceded that there will be a big bump for the Republicans and they have stolen the momentum. They talk about how Kerry and Edwards are going to campaign in Ohio tonight so that the Republicans can’t define them. Well…there’s the pro-Kerry media spin. Too bad it’s too late. Now they’re talking about how Kerry is so great at closing and using Iowa as an example. One problem with that, of course: Dean’s numbers were inflated and he was less electable than Kerry or Bush on their worst days. This reminds me of the line from the book ‘Bias’ as relayed to my by Conservative Friend Bird earlier this week; it is attributed to a high-ranking executive at CBS News a few days after the 1972 Presidential election: “I don’t understand how this happened. Everyone I know voted for McGovern.”

8:34pm – George Pataki will indeed introduce Bush. Let the drum beating continue.

8:36pm – Convention Historian Douglas Brinkley is speaking with Chris Matthews about what Bush needs to do. How do you get that gig: Convention Historian? It’s not like there’s a college degree for it. Douglas is saying what he thinks Bush needs to do, which is Media Code for “let me tell all the swing voters where Bush has failed to date.” I love the media; they have no clue just how biased they are.

8:38pm – Oh, my God…as Pataki is introduced the cameras show a shot of the New York delegates. And in the middle is…Jim Kelly, former Buffalo Bills QB. ACCCK!! I’m now voting for Kerry.

8:39pm – So Pataki opens with all of the good things that other states did for NYC after 9/11. Of course…they’re all swing states: Oregon, Iowa, & Pennsylvania. How gauche. I’m trying to convince the Centrist Dudette to continue watching for the comedy value. She’s not listening. Frankly, I’m too busy quelling the urge to barf.

8:43pm – I’m now noticing that if you look away from the TV, Pataki sounds almost exactly like Al Gore. God, please don’t let this man ever run for President. The networks are missing the boat in their fight to unseat Bush. They should be putting Pataki on TV, and people would vote Democratic in droves.

8:49pm – A shot of Guiliani in the crowd. He has this look contemptuous on his face that says “Please let Bush shoot this man when he steps to the podium.” The camera focuses on 2 female delegates with long, bleached hair, facelifts, and fake boobs. The oft-overlooked “Porn Stars for Bush.” Seeing it in print, maybe that one should have been obvious. Wow…5 black women in a row with cowboy hats on screaming “Four More Years!” See…it’s the party of inclusion. Pataki says “I’m a New Yorker.” NOOOOO!!

8:58pm – Thankfully, Pataki is done. Rudy Guiliani is hugging Ron Silver. Guess that says just how far away he and Pataki really are.

8:59pm – Joe Scarborough (the token MSNBC centrist) has a great comment: why would Kerry come out with his big speech in Ohio tonight when he is guaranteed to have to share front-page space with the President? Could it be because he’s a dumb ass? Why didn’t he do it a week ago? Or at this point wait until tomorrow when he'll have the headlines to himself? Oh, now Fred Thompson is doing the opening for the video on Bush. Time to get serious and pay attention. NOTE: A quick flip through the stations, and all of the major networks are steering clear of this, so that we can hear George Snuffleuppagas (ABC), Tim & Tom (Russert & Brokaw on NBC) and some gray-haired guy (CBS).

9:11pm – Bush takes the stage in arena rock fashion. Think there’s a significance to the time? (Probably not, it’s in New York.) The Centrist Dudette realizes that Dick Cheney looks like an overweight version of The Conservative Mississipian Friend. She also suggests that W. hasn’t found out his mother is actually a transvestite.

9:18pm – “Government should help people improve their lives, not try to run their lives.” I agree. So what’s with the Gay Marriage Amendment? “In our world and here at home, we will extend the frontiers of freedom.” My liberal friends recoil in horror at the Neo-Conservative reference.

9:21pm – "(Our institutions) were created for the worlds of yesterday, not the world of tomorrow.” This could be good if he gives specifics. “We will make our country less dependent on foreign sources of energy.” You’d think after 31 years we’d actually have done that. “We must protect small business owners from the frivolous lawsuits that drag down our economy.” I agree. I wish I could believe him on that one. “In a new term, I will lead a bipartisan effort to reform and simplify the federal tax code.” Ok…I haven’t heard that yet from a serious candidate. It won’t happen in 4 years, but I’m all for opening the dialog for a change. “We’ll increase funding for our community colleges.” Great idea, but that’s at odds with reducing federal spending, though. Ahhh…details, details.

9:26pm - “More than half the uninsured are small business workers and their families. In a new term, we must allow small businesses to join together to purchase insurace at the discounts available to big companies.” George, you now have my undivided attention. “I will insure that every poor county in America has a community or rural health center.” Again…how does that jibe with reducing federal spending? “We must pass medical liability reform now.” Take that, John Edwards. “We will make sure that health decisions are made by doctors and patients, not by bureaucrats in Washington, DC.” Rhetoric. This is more like a State of the Union speech.

The Centrist Dudette takes exception to an increased home ownership plan: “That’s right, George. You just need to keep building more and more Stack-A-Shacks.” (This is a C.D. code phrase for “cheap-ass condo.”)

9:32pm – Bush has gone into “I’m really a Democrat” mode. For someone who talks about cutting federal spending, he’s sure got a lot of places to add money. However, I have a difficult time disagreeing with his comments about continuing to reintroduce and hold students and teachers to testing standards. His line about the poor Georgia school that expects their students to succeed as the answer to “ the soft bigotry of low expectations”…brilliant. Someone tip the speech writer.

9:36pm – “Anyone who wants more information on my plans can find the details online.” Again…brilliant. The Centrist Dudette is majorly impressed by his ‘plainspeak’ in this address. Bush is picking apart what Kerry wants to roll back item by item. Very smart. Denzel Washington is in the crowd. I'm amazed the cameras haven’t focused on him before. Oh, wait…the networks don’t want to show celebrities supporting a Republican. How stupid of me.

9:39pm – “Because a caring society will value its weakest members, we must make a place for the unborn child. Because religious charities provide a safety net of charity and compassion….Because I believe in the union of a man and a woman deserves an honored place in our society... I support the protection of marriage against activist judges.” At least he’s smart enough to put all the religious crap in one paragraph. Ahh…quoting Kerry as saying “Ronald Reagan was 8 years of moral darkness” is another brilliant line.

9:42pm – Bush says he will never rest in how to better defend this country. The crowd cheers. Guiliani now looks like he’s thirsting for someone’s blood. “We are staying on the offensive, striking terrorists abroad so we do not have to face them here at home. And we’re working to advance liberty in the Middle East.” This brings a disruption in the convention by some young female. Bush acts like he's ignoring it, but he’s been shaken a bit. He’d have been better off if he had Guiliani’s or Reagan’s penchant for ad lib.

9:47pm – Now, Bush discusses Iraq. Another disruptor, another removal from the building. (Note to self: how did these people get in? Who’s the head of RNC Security?) Bush rolls with this one better. “We are working to advance liberty in the broader Middle East.” The Liberal Friends all look for hurl buckets. Al-Jazeera looks for a friendly, popular dictator. A side note: According to the Wall Street Journal a few days ago, Afghanistan has 9 million people. So far, 9.9 million have registered to vote. Bush says 10MM. Who's quibbling? All liberals should be happy that Afghans have apparently learned democracy from Democrat Richard Daley.

9:52pm -“…and then our troops will return home with the honor they have earned.” No Vietnam comments here. Nosirreee, Bobby. In reference to Kerry’s vote on funding troops, and his subsequent explanation of ‘It’s complicated’, Bush says “There is nothing complicated when it comes to supporting our troops in battle.” “My opponent says our coalition is one of the coerced and bribed” and then goes on to name well-known western allies. Good line.

9:58pm – “(Our enemies) know that a vibrant, successful democracy at the heart of the Middle East will discredit their radical ideology of hate.” My anti-NeoCon friends now have the dry heaves. “Palestinians will hear the message that democracy and reform are within their reach, and so is peace with our good friend Israel.” And the flames are re-lit. But a bloc of Florida voters are now happier.

10:01pm – A jab at the New York Times about a 1946 editorial referring to Germany: “Maybe that person is still around writing editorials.” Quite funny, and appropriate. Bush followed it with “fortunately we had a resolute president named Truman.” Ooops…followed that up with “freedom is the Almighty’s gift to every man and woman in this world.” Maybe the religious references are just my knee-jerk reaction, but I can't help but think that he could back off of it.

10:05pm – “Even when we disagree, you know where I stand.” The crux of the Bush presidency, and arguably the crux of any true leader. “People have to correct my English. I knew I had a problem when Arnold Schwarzenegger had to do it.” Best line of the night. “People look at me and see a certain swagger, which in Texas is called walking.” Ok, 2nd best line of the night. Bush is now talking about the military and his families and is actually tearing up. It’s either a glimpse into his real self, or a great acting job. I believe the former, and it has nothing to do with what he’s done, just his real feelings recalling people who have lost people he sent to die and they still support him. No matter who you are, I can’t imagine.

10:10pm – Bush is now paraphrasing The Byrds “Turn, Turn, Turn.” Some speechwriter is very tuned in to the Vietnam generation. The Centrist Dudette says ‘Basically we are going to go around building nations everywhere.” My liberal friends hurl anew on reading this.

My take following the speech: Bush was predictably short on specifics, but at least he outlined an agenda with some basic direction, unlike Kerry. The speech was good, and I would expect that the polls will refute Kerry, at least in the short run.

10:29pm – Oh, my….the preliminary polls on the bounce: 7%. I had no idea that there would be a poll yet. That number is amazing, especially since “everyone’s made up their minds.” Kerry needs to hope for the gaffe of all gaffes from Bush.

More tomorrow.