GOP Convention (Tuesday)

(Community Matters)

9:57 If McCain was today who Liebermann says he is, the race would be all but over. McCain isn’t the maverick reformer who’ll clean house (he’s employed more lobbyist than anyone else); he’s caved on torture and protecting the bill of rights; he’s caved on immigration reform; he now caters to the radical religious right (even Bob Jones University) and he’s caved on fiscal stewardship and now supports permanent tax cuts despite ballooning deficits.

9:50 Liebermann doesn’t know Palin yet he’s endorsing her individually. He’s crossed over the line and chosen the GOP. That’s fine, his prerogative. We should pull his chairmanship, however.

9:40 Liebermann is on now. He’s been so wrong about Iraq and must share responsibility for enabling 43’s disastrous war policy and lack of strategy. I do agree with him that country matters more than party. I disagree with him that John McCain would make the best president. Eight years ago, quite possibly. Unfortunately, not today.

9:18 I don’t think anyone questions John McCain’s heroic valor. We are thankful. Thompson did a fine job, building enthusiasm and energy toward the end.

9:10 ooops, just spotted another black woman and a Hispanic. That makes three.

8:53 GWB is on. A Republican I was with at lunch today admitted they were lucky Bush and Cheney had to cancel their addresses at the convention. He was crest-fallen when I informed him Bush was speaking by satellite tonight. Eight years ago this man promised to work across the aisle, to govern in a nonparitsan way, to be a compassionate conservative. Instead, he destroyed conservatism and ruined the Bush legacy. Not very enthusiastic, given some cred to the reports that Bush was major upset by what he felt was being swept under the rug. a la my friends relief (see above).

8:44 Laura introducing Pres. Bush. She’s cited 43’s AIDS funding and initiatives. I do applaud these. But he has not kept us safe. He’s made this a much more dangerous world. Should have kept his eye on Bin Laden and Al Qaeda.

8:24 Christine Todd Whitman. Ran the EPA. Thought she left shamed but she’s speaking well of 43’s administration.

8:15 Wait, I spotted a black woman. This Hispanic, Democratic speaker (Tommy Espinoza) wasn’t told that McCain has backed off his support for compassionate policies for immigrants working hard in America.

8:12 I’m watching it now. Lots less energy from this side of the tv then I felt in Denver. ST says less from same perspective as well. I did enjoy finally “meeting” his daughter Bridget and hearing the story of when Cindy brought home Bridget and Nicky. Except on the stage, I only see white people. George & Barbara Bush have arrived and were warmly greeted. I use to think she was a nice woman. Now remembering her comments about the Katrina evacuees. [“Almost everyone I’ve talked to said we’re going to move to Houston. What I’m hearing, which is sort of scary, is they all want to stay in Texas. Everybody is so overwhelmed by all the hospitality. And so many of the peoples in the arena here, you know, they’re underprivileged anyway, so this–this is working very well for them.” ]