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Tuesday, August 31, 2004 |
The Big Con – Day One
Busy today, so I’ll be brief. Initial impressions of the first night:
- McCain deserves his kudos. His speech wasn’t a masterpiece of oratory, but he has the knack for being respectful to his audience, even those who disagree with his positions. He was putting lipstick on a pig, of course, but he did it with class and style.
- Giuliani can never be accused of not enjoying the spotlight. I mean, the man was mugging something fierce. Then he started mugging Kerry. Shameless, deliberate distortion and deception of his record, but an effective rhetorical attack for the purposes he was trying to accomplish. I am struck by how the Republicans have no problem going right after Kerry, even on “moderate night” – almost entitled to take their whacks at him – while the Dems took the muzzle for fear of being branded “Bush-bashers.” How did we come to an environment where one side can attack their opponents with glee and gusto, to the cheers of the media, while the other side is made to look unhinged for taking exception to egregious offenses against their values (then pilloried for not “responding” quickly to slimy tactics from the other side). Curious how this standard emerged.
- All the talking heads were on about Giuliani’s potential as a presidential candidate in 2008. Have people forgotten what a naked sleazeball the guy was? He cavorted publicly with his mistress, moved her into the mayor’s mansion, completely humiliated his wife and teenaged son, then endured a messy and expensive divorce while still mayor. Think that will impress them in the Red states, never mind all the gay rights and pro-choice stuff? Geez, get a grip. He had a great moment on 9/11 and did some good as mayor in the 90s (along with a lot of harm), but as a national candidate, he’d be a trainwreck.
8:20:02 AM 
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