LIVE-BLOG Coverage of Republican Convention: Including Ann Romney and Chris Christie Speeches August 28th, 2012
I’ll be watching the Republican Convention in its entirety and commenting on the highlights here, including tonight’s big speeches by Ann Romney and Chris Christie.
The feed I’m using is on CSPAN online. My backup feed is: http://gopconvention2012.com/ If you have a third or a fourth feed that’s reliable, chime in below in comments and let me know. I’d like to have all these posted for people so that we don’t have anyone who can’t watch because they can’t find a good feed. UPDATE: Here’s a third stream – http://www.youtube.com/user/gopconvention2012/
Check back for updates on this thread as the day progresses (it’s chronological, so scroll down for the newer items in this thread). Chime in with your own reactions as well.
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250pm CST — somewhat random people are speaking right now, with each given about a minute or so. I’m going to sound like a broken record on this — and few in conservative ranks seem to understand the importance of this — but Republicans really need to stop using the word “liberal”. This isn’t like how the Sears Tower was renamed the “Willis Tower” but I refuse to call it anything but the Sears Tower, because the Left purposefully insists people call them “liberals” because that word has been focus-group tested over decades and the American public does not have a bad reaction to it. If you say the word “Leftist” to an average person, they shudder and immediately conjure negative images of the Leftist you are talking about. Call a Democrat a “liberal” and YOU might know that’s a bad thing, but the average man-on-the-street thinks that means the person is “open-minded”. Republicans consistently rail against “liberals” and wonder why so many so-called independents tune them out…well, dummies, it’s because independents don’t have a bad perception of the word “liberal”. They, in fact, use that word when asking for a lot of something good…like a “liberal helping” of pepperoni pizza or “liberally pouring” more Waffle-Flavored Vodka into their drink. If Republicans truly wanted to change some minds out there and get people to listen to just how bad the political Left is in this country, everyone should exclusively use the word “Leftist” as the polar opposite of “Conservative”.
But, here comes speaker after speaker at the Republican Convention going on about “the liberals” some more. Dummies.
300pm CST — Oooh….looks like Governor Scott Walker of Wisconsin is talking tonight at 750pm or so CST. I really want to watch that. Bob McDonnell is talking right before him but that man is never going to set the world on fire. It’s funny how some conservative writers heap praise on the weirdest people who will never explode onto the national stage in a good way. I remember when all the fanboys on sites like RedState and Ace of Spades went on and on about Mark Sanford in South Carolina, and how he was “a future president”. Whoops. The guy always looked sleazy in a Gary Hart sort of way…and then he went “missing” for a few days and it ended up that he was with his mistress somewhere or another. Jackass. I don’t get that vibe from McDonnell but there’s something wrong with him, something that seems like he’d be bad news in the future. I just don’t like the guy, in the same way that I don’t like Mitch Daniels in Indiana…another one that the fanboys rave about. I just don’t get straight guys sometimes and the people they find appealing…but maybe they don’t understand why I love Governor Sarah Palin, Congressman Allen West, Governor Jan Brewer, and the other people I’d stand in the rain for hours to hear speak.
305pm CST — They’re taking a musical break now and have a pretty good 90s-cover band going…which is a nice break from the obscure country music that’s normally played at Republican events. ”I Want You to Want Me” is on now, and I’m having a little dance party in the kitchen making lunch for Justin (it’s orange chicken today, with tangerines instead of oranges, so I guess that makes it tangerine chicken). The music is a fun surprise while I do this…and I’ll be back recapping once people start talking some more and foolishly using the word “liberal” a lot when they really mean “Leftist”.
3313pm CST — Chairman Rience Preibus (sp?) is speaking. It’s Credentials Committee business. This is a lot of the arcane procedural stuff the the kids who loved Model UN in college would appreciate. They’re reading out a lot of names and thanking people and recognizing them the way they do in Oscars speeches. You’ve never heard of 99.9% of these people and never will, but they all seem very happy when their names are read.
I have to say that I really like Preibus. I liked Michael Steele as a person, but he was something of a fumbling-bumbler. Preibus carries himself like a skull-cracking old-school political boss. Living in Chicago and typically seeing only wimpy Republican leaders here, it’s nice having someone who could easily play the Mayor of Chicago in a TV movie be the actual head of the RNC. That Reince Preibus may have a Romulan-sounding name, but he’ll cut you.
Some lady from Puerto Rico is going to read a report she wrote. This is the “Report on Permanent Organization”. The woman has a fun name, Zoraida Something. She’s shouting with a heavy accent and gets to excitedly announce John Boehner’s name and say the word O-HI-O! with gusto. She’s adorable in her red suit, like an auntie dressed up for a nephew’s graduation. I like her, but she’s just shouting names again like an Oscar speech. Bob Lee! Shawn Steele of Cally-Fore-Nee-A! Suzy Buttercup of Oak-Lee-Home-Ahhhhh!
322pm CST — Is it weird that I find Reince Preibus really sexy? I kind of love his voice and the little smirk he gives when he finds something ridiculous, like when a fool in the crowd boos something. He’s kind of awesome up there.
323pm CST — John Boehner gets up there to introduce John Sununu, who is not half as interesting as his name is fun to say. Man alive, this guy looks like a Kroft puppet left out in the rain. I wish Zoraida had introduced him because I’d love to hear her say SUE-NOO-NOO!!!
337pm CST — there’s a never-ending stream of people who come up to the mic to speak. So, far, none of them are terrible…but few are extraordinary. Preibus is extraordinary. The rest: meh. I think being in front of so many people in such a large venue makes these people think they need to shout, when they have an expensive sound system in front of them. Few show any of their personality and read from written remarks. Please — PLEASE — if you ever have to public-speak don’t write your remarks down. Have bullet points if you must, but don’t go on and on reading to people. This isn’t a hospital ward and people didn’t assemble for you to read to them. Talk from your heart and show emotion. You will be better than 90% of the people who speak on CSPAN.
340pm CST — I’m still trying to figure out what it is about Bob McDonnell that I don’t like. Part of it might be that he has that generic “Southern Republican man” look to him. He has no real personality and is kind of a cardboard stereotype.
PICTURE TIME! They are taking the official photo now. Make sure you look good too and smile so you can be part of the “panaramic moment”. Preibus is giving instructions on standing still and smiling like it’s 1850 and photography is alien to most of them. The picture will take two minutes to complete and everyone has to stand still for that time. You be still too, in a nod of solidarity.
WHEW! You can move again! The picture is done. The camera was actually made in 1920 in Rochester, New York by Kodak, which is interesting. I went to college on a Kodak and Bausch & Lomb scholarship in Rochester so it’s fun to hear these familiar terms, even if Kodak royally screwed itself out of business by not embracing the digital switchover (which was actually starting back when I was in school).
– another band, playing Papa’s Got a Brand New bag –
I love conservative people and Tea Party Americans. Everyone is dancing politely and respecting personal boundaries. It’s like wedding dancing when uncles and aunts you rarely see take the floor and do variations of polkas set to pop music that was popular a long time ago, with some young people interspersed here an there.
I want to communicate how much fun I am really having watching this online. The music is fun. I like seeing the people dancing. Occasionally, there are hot conservative guys (why on Earth it took me until my mid-30s to date Republicans is beyond me). I also get a weird kick out of scoring people’s public speaking abilities from 1-5, which is something my boyfriend Justin finds odd. I’ve done this since Ms. Habrat’s speech class in high school, where we learned how to be an effective and interesting speaker. Justin went to public school and didn’t take speech class but in Catholic School in Ohio in the 90s it was required and Ms. Habrat was a tough, Simon Cowell kind of speech class judge. Periodically, I still to this day thank her via email because what I learned from her has helped me so much to avoid ever sounding like one of these people who shout without emotion and who pepper their remarks with “Uh”, “Uhmmm”, and other fillers. Thanks Ms. Habrat!
356pm CST — Justin walked into the room as John Sununu was speaking. He asked me who that is and I told him. Justin looked surprised and said, “I didn’t think he was real”. He said he’d hear “John Sununu” and thought it was just a “made-up name” for a Republican, like Mr. Flabersham or John Doe or something. My friend Althea has a group of girlfriends she hangs with that Justin thought were made-up names too: Starkeisha, StarKendra, and Beethovaneece. They do sound like a mystery-solving blaxploitation girl group. And John Sununu does look like a Kroft puppet. You know, like this:
400pm CST on the dot: Mitt Romney has just been nominated to become the 45th President of the United States, rendering Barack Obama just a resident of the United States.
Man alive, John Boehner has a terrible voice. He rates a 2 on the public speaking scale for me (with 1 being the worst). Various people are seconding and thirding the nomination of Mitt Romney. Justin and I did it too in our apartment.
I JUST FIGURED OUT who Boehner sounds like…Tommy Lee Jones in that awful Batman Forever where he played Two-Face. It’s almost like Ashley Judd should go everywhere with John Boehner so he can help her avoid getting into any double jeopardy.
OKAY…the fun is starting. I love the roll-call of states…it’s fun when really colorful and zany people declare their delegate preferences.
Alabama’s delegate person is HILARIOUS…she shouts “Alabama be giving its 50 delegates to MIT ROMMMMMMMMMMMMNEEEEEEEEEY!”
Alaska’s up next…with a fool speaking for them who keeps going on about it being the “largest red state”. Idiot. Stop calling Republican states red when Democrats just want you to do that so they won’t be the red-Marxist party any more in people’s minds.
So far…Romney 68 and Ron Paul 9 votes.
American Samoa votes ROMNEY! Their delegate guy was sweet and adorable.
JAN BREWER GIVES ARIZONA’S VOTES!!!!!! Huge cheer for her. Justin just came running into the room wide-eyed because I WHOOOPED when I saw Brewer. 3 of Arizona’s votes went to Ron Paul. Romney’s now at 103 vs. 12 for Paul.
Arkansas is up now. It’s a boring man with monotone voice like the teacher from Ferris Bueller. Yawn.
California is next. It’s another guy like McDonnell who looks out of central casting for either a generic board member or “Republican politician”. Invoking Ronald Reagan…all 172 votes to Mitt Romney!
I was surprised to see Brewer. So happy she got to do the vote casting.
Colorado has all cowboy hats on. Putting a cowboy hat on a nerdy guy is an odd choice. Why not get a hot cowboy to do this? I’m serious about that….because this is a state’s moment to shine and show it’s individuality. Have a vibrant delegate do this. The Alabama lady, the Samoan guy, Jan Brewer…leave the doughy, generic, central casting, older white male Republicans off the TV set. Show interesting people. Colorado’s has been the worst so far. 28 delegates to Romney. Total is now 311 to 12 for Paul.
Connecticut — weird looking guy with glasses. Should have had Linda McMahon do this. 28 votes to “our friend” Mitt Romney. That phrase “my friend” or “our friend” still creeps me out since 2008.
Delaware — has marbles in his mouth and lost his train of thought. Can’t speak well. 17 delegates to Romney. All of Delaware’s delegates look weird and confused. No wonder Joe Biden’s from there.
DC — all 19 votes to Romney.
The woman who is leading the delegate count in a gray suit with yellow shirt looks like the woman who played a vampire Chancelor on True Blood this season.
Florida has I think the Lt. Governor doing the casting. She’s doing a good job. I think her name is either Jennifer Carrol or Carol Jennifer. She reminds me of Romona Robinson from Cleveland TV.
Georgia — goody…it’s a fun lady like Paula Deen. I think I might end up living in Georgia one day. I just love the people there. Ron Paul got 3 votes out of Georgia. Some fool turned off her mic and she had to repeat. One “undecided” delegate. Who are these people who can’t make up their names?
Guam — the “next Maui”. I love South Pacific people. They are so nice. Have always wanted to go to Guam. Highest number of military people are in Guam. 9 delegates to Romney.
Hawaii — 20 votes. 3 to Paul. 17 to Mitt Romney. Loveliest fleet of islands to sail in any ocean. Emuah Romney, Emuah Paul Ryan.
Idaho — (always an unfortunate word for a woman to utter). First to sue on Obamacare. I like this guy. 32 votes to Romney to balance the budget.
Illinois — 69 votes. Dan Rutherford. I know this guy. Good speaker. He’s casting an image of Inauguration Day…the Obamas being taken out of DC by helicopter…taken them back to Illinois. Soon to be the state of the immediate past-president once Obama is out of office. The thing is, though, the Obamas are moving to Honolulu after the White House, not Hyde Park.
Indiana — some generic man.
Iowa –I kind of hate this state, for both ethanol and the damn Iowa Caucus. Time for Iowa to stop being so special. They are spoiled brats. Ron Paul got the most delegates out of Iowa, so far the only state where he got more than Romney. Total is now 704 to 40.
Kansas — very pretty young woman who said “There is no place like home…for Barack Obama in Chicago”. Love the Oz reference. Good pick by Kansas. Wants to be a no-state income tax state. Rick Santorum got one vote out of Kansas.
Kentucky — I still love this state from 2008 when it gave Obama a massive smacking in the primaries…it was like 70% Hillary and 30% Obama in that race. So much fun.
Louisiana — why on Earth do they have a guy who sounds like he’s from a bad mafia movie? They should have had a real Cajun up there.
Maine — 24 votes. Nice Maine accent. I feel like I’m watching a Stephen King movie, as that’s the only regular exposure I have to Maine’s accent. Ron Paul got 10 votes out of this. 820-55 now.
Maryland — A mustached fat man who shouts into the mic.
Massachusetts — a fun lady, like you’d want to be her friend.
Michigan — ooh, the Governor. I love when the Governors show up. He seems like a nice man. Gets a plug in for Michigan tourism. Another Romney “home state”….it’s kind of fun he has three of those to Obama’s two. Romney’s brother is up there..boy he is OLD. He’s crying. It’s weird when men cry in public. I know he’s emotional, but it’s still weird. It looks like he’s 80. Mitt Romney has preserved well!
Minnesota — they have a barroom brawler kind of woman who looks like Winona Judd. Ron Paul got most of Minnesota’s votes.
Mississippi — a withered old man with shock white hair and a foot in the grave. No energy or enthusiasm.
Missouri — fat man who says “Miss-ur-ah”. Bad choice.
Montana — I swear this man is a robot.
Nebraska — generic man who sets my gaydar off.
Nevada — creepy man with a voice like the conspiracy people use on the radio. Fitting for Vegas, I guess. They’re for Ron Paul and have gone off on a Ron Paul rant. 17 to Paul, 5 abstain, “and I guess five for Romney”. Jackass.
New Hampshire — looks like Vincent Price playing Egghead on an old Batman episode. They claim Romney as a “son” too. So he has four home states.
New Jersey — a fun guy, like Chris Christie. Big and loud in a good way.
New Mexico — man who looks like Dick Gephardt. Should have had Suzana Martinez do this. Dummies.
New York — generic little guy. Seriously? This is who you get to represent a larger-than-life and lively state? Come on. 95 votes to Romney. 1268 to 130.
North Carolina — Justin just realizes this is not alphabetical. Guy doing the casting is kind of cute. His voice sounds like barbeque. In a good way.
North Dakota — the governor. Jack Dulripper. Sound like he’d be a Hufflepuff student at Hogwarts. Fool’s listing off a bunch of names of people no one cares about. This ain’t the Oscars, Hufflepuff. No lists of names!
Northern Marinara Islands — Governor Pasta McSauce. 9 more votes to Romney.
Ohio – MY HOME STATE, now and forever. Feeling some Cleveland pride here…city of lights, city of magic…city so cool our river got FIRE. Justin eye rolls here. I love Ohio. The heart of it all, bi*tches. Governor Kasich!!! 8 US presidents and more space pioneers than anywhere. NEIL ARMSTRONG was an Ohioan (take that Justin).
Whoo-hoo! OHIO
Oklahoma — the showtunes state. Governor Fallon, but not the one from Dynasty. Her eyes are unblinking and she has a perma-smile. Paul Ryan’s wife is from OK. Obama lost EVERY COUNTY in OK in 2008. 6 more votes for Ron Paul.
Oregon — a man who might be a were-chipmunk. Claims Oregon is going to be “the New Jersey of the West” and turn red. I was in Oregon the day Princess Diana died in 1997, on the beach where Lewis & Clark finished their trek. Random factoid.
Pennsylvania — the tease state. I’ve given up on this state being sensible. Too close to NYC. If it was two states split in the middle the western part would always vote GOP. I kind of hate this state for the whole Penn State thing.
Puerto Rico — why not send someone without such a thick accent to speak on TV? I’m not a fan of any accent that makes you hard to understand. I don’t think that should ever be encouraged….strive to speak a second language with no accent, just like my French and Chinese teachers used to say to me when I couldn’t lose my American accent in those languages.
Rhode Island — man in a wild tie shouting about lemonade. They have an Asian man who is Mayor of somewhere speaking too. Rhode Island has a distinctive accent I don’t think I’ve heard before. Justin and I need to do more road trips now that my health is better.
South Carolina — a creepy looking guy who set off my gaydar like LindseyGraham does.
South Dakota — the weird-looking robot that is John Thune. Thune reminds me of a Ken Doll left out in the sun. If you squint, he’s kind of good looking, but in a melted plastic kind of way.
Tennessee — another white man who shouts, when there is a lively and fun looking woman in front of him who would have done a better job. If Gore had won his home state, he would have been president. Democrats don’t like to talk about that but it’s true.
Texas — more cowboy hats. A nebbish-looking guy in a cowboy hat is a running theme. Boring speaker.Texas gave a lot of random one-votes to a lot of people…Bachmann, Roehmer, Ron Paul, Santorum. There were a lot. You might have got half a vote yourself from the generous state of Texas.
Utah — Lex Luthor impersonator gives its 40 votes.
There’s a blonde woman who follows behind the speakers shouting what they just said in terms of numbers, and then she shouts ROMNEY! Saturday Night Live would totally mock her.
Vermont — bearded weird guy that looks like his house would smell.
Virginia — that weird and off-putting Bob McDonnell, who said he’s the mother of presidents.
Virgin Islands — retired Marine. Awesome. 1923 Romney and 195 Ron Paul and others (including possibly you!)
Washington — “the real Washington”. It’s funny, but when I was a little kid I always got these two mixed up. I heard about a bridge between Oregon and Washington and couldn’t imagine how it wasn’t a Wonder of the World.
West Virginia — stop the War on Coal. They are wearing mining hats. Nice touch for District 12!
Wisconsin — they are wearing cheese hats. IT’S SCOTT WALKER!!! Take that, union thugs. I love this guy. He’s almost as hot as Preibus. There are endless cheers interrupting him. His speech will ROCK tonight. Called Paul Ryan the bravest man in politics. 41 votes to Romney and one to Ron Paul.
Wyoming — last in the alphabet, but first in many ways. First women vote. First national park. Grand Tetons (go ahead and giggle, Justin did). Can-do state. Good speaker. Gave Romney his first delegate in 2008. No swings in Wyoming. 28 votes to Romney. One to Ron Paul. And half a vote to YOU! Everyone wins!
Justin just asked me if there are more states left. I told him Obama would be waiting for Yemen and Zanzibar.
Romney declared the nominee at 508pm CST.
We just took another step towards replacing Barack Obama in the White House.
513pm — weird looking doughboy Mitch McConnell will handle the VP nomination now. I hate using a vulgar word, but McConnell is such a douche…a terrible face for the party in every sense of that. He should have been born in the era of radio.
Steve King is talking now. Much, much better visual and leader.
Just called Paul Ryan the first real leader of his generation.
When elected, he’ll be the hottest VP in US History too. I added that part.
“Paul Ryan has the courage to tell the truth when the truth is hard to hear”. He’s also dreamy.
Doughboy McConnell is back on camera. Seriously, show more hotties like Ryan and less doughboys like McConnell and watch GOP membership soar.
Someone from PA just stood up and told us that Paul Ryan believes in America. She traveled all the way from Philly to tell us that. Can’t thank her enough.
Paul Ryan was just nominated to be the Second Greatest VP Pick of all Time and the Best Looking Male VP Pick ever.
McConnell stares into the camera trying to read what to say next. He looks like he’s having some kind of seizure.
They are about to go for recess. Kickball instruction packets are by the doors. The Chair declares the session in recess and its seconded by the Couch with the Ottoman dissenting.
More music…and things reconvene tonight. Justin’s orange chicken is ready and we’re going to take a break too…back with more this evening…
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625pm — Tommy Lee Jones John Boehner brings everyone back from recess. I can’t stand this guy. I have no idea where that accent comes from. I am from Ohio and I have never heard anything like this. You don’t need Saturday Night Live to try very hard when you’ve got John Boehner speaking for the Republicans. He is a walking self-parody.
626pm CST — okay, it’s official, the most surprising thing that’s happened so far today is that I have a major TV-crush on Reince Priebus. First him, then Paul Ryan, and also Scott Walker. When did Wisconsin guys get so hot? Why the heck did I go to school in New York and moved to Illinois again?
632pm — more music. This time it’s the “Proud to be an American” song. Strange Boystown connection…but the man who wrote this song has a gay son named Ted who is a bartender working in one of the gay bars here in Chicago and the son makes a lot of Halloween and drag costumes. The bar that Ted works out is very anti-Christian and anti-Republican and I’ve seen Ted there behind the bar serving drinks while the bar’s owner revs up the crowd to hate Christians by way of speeches and videos they play. It’s just funny to me that few in the bar know that Ted is the son of the man who wrote a song beloved by conservatives and that when Ted was younger the first President Bush used to invite Ted’s father to Camp David and Ted used to throw rocks into the woods at squirrels with George W. Bush and drink lots of beer.
Now they are playing “I Want You to Want Me Again”, which is weird. Do they only have clearance to like four songs? More shots of people dancing with spirit but awkwardness, like at your office holiday party.
A woman in what I think was an Ann Coulter sign was just dancing.
Signs of WE BUILT IT in the crowd. I like that.
Shake your groove thing mustached old man in ill fitting suit!
Playing a video now of MIA LOVE. Mayor, fitness instructor…Democrats hate her because she is black and blacks attack her because her husband is white. She’s speaking now. Mayor of Saratoga Springs Utah. Great Merciful Zeus she is an incredible speaker. Why, oh why, can’t THIS be the standard of EVERY speaker at this convention. No more boring doughboy pasty faced white haired old men up on the stage. More vibrant and fabulous speakers like Mia Love.
Yes, we did built this.
Janine Turner talks now…from Northern Exposure. She’s blonde now. Justin has no idea who she is. He was about three or four when Northern Exposure was on the air and gets her mixed up with Dana Delaney.
Janine Turner: the government didn’t build this, God and the American people built this and America is exceptional.
To be honest, a little of Janine goes a long way. She’s grating. And she’s flaky. Not a good combo. Don’t they have those hooks backstage like they used to have in vaudeville? Her speech felt like it was an hour long. Justin still has no idea who she is.
Some country singer is singing now. At least he’s cute and knows how to wear a cowboy hat. Song is “We Built It”. I guess he’s eye candy and a little bit of something for everyone.
A lady I never heard of is running for the Lt. Governor of some state. She looks like a generic candidate from a TV movie. It looks like she’s wearing a “Candidate for Office” Halloween costume. I hate when people do this: “Our son has autism and doctors told us he’d never” or “we had a lot of challenges and our friends told us we’re crazy”. Well, sister, I’m telling you that you’re cliche. Come up with a new angle for voter connection besides the “there’s something wrong with our son” and “we have challenges” thing. You know who never did this kind of garbage? Sarah Palin, and her son has Down’s Syndrome…but I never heard her play this angle with little Trig.
My goodness she talked for a long time…and then she ended her remarks in Spanish. Do. Not. Like. This. Woman. Less candidates like her, more like Mia Love please.
705 pm — Oakridge Boys sing Amazing Grace.
But this is still the best version I’ve ever heard…
Sing it, Reba. Sing it like it’s never been sung.
Kathy McRogers Caruthers is talking now.
She looks like the lady who was standing there during the rollcall. It might have been her before. She says everyone is going to say “We Built It” at Obama, as if he is listening. Please, girlfriend is watching Housewives of Whatever on BRAVO right now. She just said that small businesses are the true Injun of our economy. Like Tonto? Another bad speaker who slurs her words and never had a speech class.
Conventions are weird. They have someone come out to introduce the people who will introduce other people. Who then introduce the people that everyone actually came to hear. A lot of this fat could be cut. It is very, very much like the Oscars.
Here comes Kelly Ayotte, one of Romney’s earliest supporters. Her voice sounds like a toad’s. I hope she just has a cold or something.
She’s talking about how her husband is a landscaper and shovels snow in the winter because he can’t find a job. Can’t he just work in her office making copies and stuff?
I don’t like Kelly Ayotte. There’s something disingenuous about her.
She also is VERY monotone and reads off a teleprompter like Mitch McConnell. No real applause for what she’s saying because her voice is the cure for insomnia. Do you remember Vicky the robot from Small Wonder? She sounds like that.
Kelly Ayotte is another person that the fanboys at RedState and Ace of Spades just love that I’ve never understood the appeal of — she is not revving up the crowd and in fact has lowered the enthusiasm in the room.
Bad call to have her talk for so long.
She was terrible and better hope that landscaping business takes off and there’s lots of snow this winter.
Talking now is Jack Gilchrist who owns a business. You can tell he is a “regular person, like us” because he is unshaven and is not wearing a suit but instead has a wrinkled checkered shirt. You know, like us “regular folk”. This kind of stagecrafting is silly to me. Very Cocktail Party interpretation of who “regular people” are. He looks a little like Jeremy Irons when he plays a bad guy on Law & Order or something.
726pm — OHIO my home state saves the day again, Justin…Governor Kasich is speaking and raises the energy in the room again after Kelly Ayotte’s dullsville stinkfest. Kasich is punching public sector unions in the face and saying how they make states uncompetitive. Ohio is now fourth in the country in job creation…when it was 48th in the country under Governor Strickland in 2008. Nice sword of Damocles reference.
Great Merciful Zeus Kasich is WONDERFUL. He will be a great campaigner for Romney. Ohio is going Republican this year for sure. What a great surrogate speaker. Unlike Dullsville McStinkfest Kelly Ayotte.
Oh no they didn’t! They are playing Obama saying “you didn’t build that, somebody else made that happen”.
Governor of Oklahoma Mary Fallin talks now.
Good energy. For some reason though, the blonde people all blend together for me. Justin actually thought Janine Turner was still talking because Fallin is wearing the same outfit as Turner, more or less, and her hair is similar.
Kind of fun to hear the Oklahoma accent. I like national events like this to see the most colorful and interesting characters from each state. She’s talking about pioneers risking their own money to build businesses and states like Oklahoma.
She’s kind of giving an Ann Richards type speech, telling Obama that “that dog won’t hunt”.
I like this Mary Fallin. I give her a solid B in the second tier of GOP stars. Tier One would be Governor Palin, Jan Brewer, Liz Cheney, etc. Tier Two is Mary Fallin. Tier Three is Kelly Ayotte and her ilk.
The IRS and EPA are there to hinder business, not help. Government never built anything but it’s sickening to think of what government kept from being built.
He promised Hope and Change but left people with no hope and just change in their pockets.
How proud am I that so far the best speaker of the night was an OHIOAN? Boo-yah!
Nice job Governor Fallin. Nice job.
Oh, shoot, at 745pm CST that weirdo Bob McDonnell is back. There is something wrong about this guy. He’s hiding something. The crowd picks up on it too, because he does not get the enthusiasm that Governors Kasish and Fallin got.
Whenever I see Bob McDonnell I think of Damien Thorn in The Omen when Damien grew up. Justin says he reminds him of the vampire Bill from True Blood. There is just something off, dark, and spooky about this guy.
Bill is the one seated at the desk in the office. That’s who Justin says McDonnell reminds him of. He might just be a vampire. That convention center is indoors and it’s dark out now.
It is all I can think of as he talks. He’s getting no applause or audience energy. Not as big of a stinkfest as Kelly Ayotte’s bomb of a speech, but unpleasant.
Where’s that vaudeville hook when we need it again?
2nd worst speaker tonight: McDonnell; worst speaker = Kelly Ayotte
Looks like each Governor will introduce a small business owner. O’Donnell is introducing the maker of True Blood bottled blood beverage some woman with a business. I like this woman. For an amateur, she’s a good speaker. She’s not reading from the screen. Her name is Bev Gray.
While Bev has been talking Justin asked me why people call Mitt “Governor Romney” when he’s not Governor anymore. You might know this already, but it’s protocol to call a person by the highest elected honorific they ever won or by the highest rank or appointed off they were given. So, Governor Palin is still Governor Palin to me etc. even though she is out of office now.
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800pm – Governor Scott Walker.
THE APPLAUSE FOR HIM ARE DEAFENING….applause for THREE MINUTES
I think he’s pretty hot too, to be honest. 80% of it is his standing up to union thugs. He’s kind of like Superman to me for that. A future president.
2012 is the year of Wisconsinites for sure.
I could listen to Scott Walker read the phone book.
I am seriously going to canvass up there on the weekends for Romney/Ryan.
And now I am asking you a serious question here: do you SEE THE DIFFERENCE between an excellent public speaker like Scott Walker and a stinker like creepazoid Bob McDonnell?
Why keep having bad speakers like McDonnell or Ayotte speak when there are rock star Republicans like Mia Love and Scott Walker? Why, oh why?
Scott Walker rocked it, while remaining so humble and modest. I love that guy.
The cute cowboy guy singer is back but this time he’s playing rockabilly.
I think Republicans play too much country music. It turns off Independents. They should stick to rock. Not hard rock metal bands, but rock in the Springstein/Mellencamp realm. I know those guys are Dems, but there has to be conservative rockers or else a fund should be set up to cultivate some. Rock music would play so much better with the 80% of the nation that is not into country.
Another second-tier Republican, Governor Sandoval is up now. He is another teleprompter reader. STOP READING FROM TELEPROMPTERS YOU IDJUTS!
Listening to the “readers” versus the “speakers from the heart” is what makes this feel like the Oscars telecast.
Gross: Sandoval the egomaniac just called himself “this son of promise”. Yuck. I hate when people do this. Take a lesson from Scott Walker on modesty, you clown.
There is a lot of Obama in Sandoval…he says “me, I, my, and mine” alot. It’s all about what I did, what I thought, what I achieved. Scott Walker didn’t do that. He talked about the people of Wisconsin. Sandoval and Obama and guys like him who like to use their ethnicity to get ahead are all about themselves and getting YOU as a white person to elevate them to a higher position because they are a minority and they want to get ahead and you will feel good if you help them.
Gross.
Trotting out a Hispanic business owner now. DIVERSITY! “I am the most successful minority business in the United States” as opposed to being a successful business in the United States. I’m not a Gay-American, I’m just an American. With a hot boyfriend. Democrats are the party of putting hyphenates on everyone…and I don’t like to see Republicans do this. Just bring this guy out to talk and don’t keep saying, “LOOKIT! A HISPANIC!” when introducing these people. Just let them talk. It’s dangerous if Republicans start looking to create little identity voting blocs like the ones the Democrats have.
***************************************
819pm CST — Rick Santorum speaks.
Nice round of applause for him. He did a good job redeeming himself in the primaries. He will be a Cabinet Member in 2013.
Secretary of Education? He would do a great job cutting the redtape and battling the fools there.
Santorum’s gotten to be a great speaker. He’s not using the teleprompter. Speaking from the heart. Great job.
For the record, I started off 2012 not being able to stand this guy…and now I like him. Kudos to him for a complete image rehabilitation and launching himself into the second tier of the GOP ranks from way back in the fields of obscurity.
Santorum’s talking and I like his tone and everything, but I’ve heard a lot of the things he’s saying before from him. I know a lot of people didn’t follow the debates and the primaries so this is new to them but the truth is that these conventions repeat a lot of the same stuff over and over again. Whether that’s deliberate brand reinforcement or just coincidence, if you watch the entire convention you’ll see that a lot of the same stuff is said by different people with the only real difference being that some are good speakers, some are great speakers, and some are terrible speakers like McDonnell and Ayotte.
Santorum is a good/borderline great speaker.
I really think if Romney made him Secretary of Education he’d close down that Department and would eliminate his own Cabinet position. He would relish doing that. In Romney’s first term we’d get rid of an entire federal department. I would love to see that happen.
*****************************************
BTW, I’m really happy with the C-Span online stream…no problems so far!
Ted Cruz is speaking now, candidate for Texas Senator.
He’s not a teleprompter speaker…he’s nice to listen to.
Cruz is a good speaker…almost great…but he’s a little bit too Televangelist for me. Like someone you’d see on late night TV or really early in the morning. He’s a good communicator though.
Cruz’s speech is good. The more he talks, the more I like him and that Televangelist feeling dissipates. He really works the stage and connects with the audience. He is not frozen to the teleprompter. He is a good candidate. Relatable and likeable.
Okay, I am on board…Ted Cruz is a star…have been wanting more water but do not want to leave the screen and miss a word…he’s got me captivated.
Ooooh…Great Merciful Zeus…Cruz went there…he chided Democrats for trying to keep Hispanics from learning English so they’ll be dependent on government welfare on the Democrat Plantation.
I OFFICIALLY LOVE TED CRUZ.
Wow…in under five minutes Ted Cruz made me a supporter of his and got me excited for his entry into the Senate. THIS is a guy to watch who will be a future presidential candidate too.
**********************************************
Artur Davis is talking now. He was a Hillary supporter in the dem primaries, FYI.
He’s kind of like me in the sense that the Democrat Party had no room for him in the Obama administration.
Talking about how Obama confuses celebrity with the presidency.
Davis is working some of that black preacher voice stuff that consultants think the public likes hearing from politicians.
Shoot, if you love that stuff, get your butt to Church on Sunday (or just watch Whitney Houston’s funeral on YouTube and listen to an awesome sermon by Bishop Jakes that he delivered there).
Davis is mocking Obama’s ‘I will lower the oceans’ speech. The crowd is not responding all that enthusiastically to this. It’s better than Ayotte, but not as good as Walker.
oooh…best line of the night so far: “How can you support a White House that does not respect the portraits on its walls?”.
Artur Davis’ speech needed some editing…he was a B+ as a Speaker. Needed to not look at that damn TelePrompTer so much.
************************************************
856pm CST — Nikki Haley, yall.
I like listening to her. She slams Obama on that “you didn’t build that” garbage. Her parents had a small business.
BURN: If you have to show ID to buy Sudafed or to step on an airplane, then you need to show ID to vote.
Obama is standing in the way of businesses.
The only thing bad about Haley is that she smiles too much in her delivery, the way newsanchors do. She’s good at reading the teleprompters…but she still is kind of plastic when she talks. MUCH better than Ayotte, but not up there with the A-List. She’s A-.
I think it’s just that she’s a sweet and nice Southern person and is not a firebrand…but there’s also something off about her face when she talks. Maybe she had some kind of injury or something. It’s on the right side of her face (left when you see her on camera). That part of her face does not move.I don’t know a lot about her so she may have had a stroke in the past.
Haley is talking up Ann Romney now…she’s introducing her.
*************************************************
9pm CST — First Lady of Puerto Rico is speaking now. She is a good speaker. Heavy accent but understandable. I thought Haley would introduce Ann but looks like the party wanted Hispanics to see a Hispanic woman introducing Ann on stage, figuring the networks are just starting their convention coverage at 900pm CST. Hispanic First Lady introducing next US First Lady.
My Aunt Bev growing up had MS. So I feel for Ann. I want to meet her someday. I think I would like her in person.
Here’s Ann!
Beautiful red dress, smiling, happy, proud to be an American her whole life.
THUNDEROUS APPLAUSE
I can barely remember what it’s like to have a First Lady who loves the country and that we can be proud of. Ann would be that FLOTUS.
Ann is going to tell us about the Romney family. She’s a good speaker. She uses the teleprompter but isn’t reading off it. She’s going to talk to us about love. Met Romney at a dance. Loves this country. She commands the crowd’s attention — can hear a pin drop.
Talking about people struggling. How to pay mortgage. How to afford school supplies. Etc. How people can get their kids all they need to feel normal and have what they need.
Ann’s personality is bubbly and fun…like a very together suburban mom. She reminds me of someone who’d be the PTA president at a nice school.
CSPAN stream just stopped (people must be tuning in in droves)…so I switched to the GOPConvention2012 stream on YouTube. It’s actually a much cleaner stream.
I like Ann. I would enjoy hearing her talk about some issue for 4-to-8 years in the East Wing. I am confident she would not scold people, but would encourage them to do good things.
Man, Mitt was HOT when he was young. Justin says he looked like Darren Criss from Glee.
Ann’s talking about George and Leona Romney now.
It’s weird though…there’s one son they never have on camera. He’s not there tonight either. I have not idea what any of the kids names are, but there’s the handsome son, a kind of malevolent looking Slytherin House son, one son with kind of googly eyes, the son I can’t remember, and then the blonde son that they hide in the background. Either he’s shy or it’s because he’s off somehow. I can only see Handsome Son, Slytherin, and Googly Eyes. Forgettable Son and Blonde Son are not there, though forgettable son might be there and I just don’t see him. Maybe he is Invisible Son.
Ann is talking about how everything Mitt has he worked hard for.
He helps others. He quietly helps his neighbors. He doesn’t do it for any greater joy. Give and it shall be given unto you.
I like this lady, and through her I like her husband a lot more.
John and Abigail Adams Scholarship for deserving kids.
Wow, Handsome Romney Son is very handsome. Straight as an arrow, but handsome.
The thing about Ann that’s different than Cindy McCain: Ann may be rich, but she’s a real lady, a regular person. Cindy was a mannequin and a socialite.
MY HUSBAND WILL NOT FAIL.
She makes me believe in Mitt. Makes me want to put my trust in him.
She’s removing a lot of the “meh” I felt for Mitt.
CONDI RICE in the audience. Would love her in the Cabinet.
God Bless each and every one of you and God Bless America.
[ Full text of Mrs. Romney's remarks HERE ]
They play My Girl for Ann as she leaves. Condi is alone, no date. Romney takes the stage with his wife.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THE NEXT PRESIDENT AND FIRST LADY. They look awesome…with Ann in Nancy Reagan Red.
*********************
933pm CST….Chris Christie is up next. I hope he goes Chris Farley up there and just rolls around on the floor taking on the unions on that stage. I love that he’s big and fat and proud of it and throws that back in the Left’s face. I love when they call him fat he grabs a sandwich and bites into it and says F*** YOU. Great Merciful Zeus, I love everyone of you out there that tells the Left F*** OU.
Chris Christie makes me giggle.
For some reason they play “Hand Jive” when Christie comes out. I would have played the Blues Brothers music.
I love this guy. He’s hilarious.
Proud of my party. Proud of my state. Proud of my country.
Mom was the enforcer. Father gregarious. Mom the driver, dad the passenger in auto of life.
Christie is an A+ speaker. Personable, no teleprompter, lots of jokes, talks right to audience.
While I could listen to Christie all day, I want him to go nuts on the unions, especially the teacher’s unions. That’s what I like out of him.
This speech he’s giving now is interesting and good…but it would be like going to a Whitney Houston concert back in the day and she didn’t sing “I Will Always Love You”, which is the song you really came to hear (and I heard her do it live, folks, and it was amazing). I like Chris Christie best when he’s berating hecklers and making union reps look stupid.
945pm CST — he’s talking about the greedy and lazy teacher unions now, but he’s not ripping them apart like he does on YouTube. He’s being restrained.
Talking about being a politician who leads and not a politician who panders.
The Left’s ideas have failed America.
GREAT LINE: The Left believes in teachers’ unions, we believe in teachers.
Don’t play along with their games of scaring and dividing.
Leadership counts. Leadership matters. Leadership delivers.
RomneyRyan are leaders.
Romney is in the crowd with Ann. I just had a flash of imagination seeing him as a former president in 20 years. You know how they attend events and are seen in a crowd like that? I know Romney will win and be president and I think he will surprise me and I will end up a supporter of his and he will do a good job.
Real leaders don’t follow poles. Real leaders CHANGE poles. (Just ask Lech Walesa).
I really like Christie. He’s like an uncle I wish I had.
I WANT A SECOND AMERICAN CENTURY…of strong economic growth, good jobs, reach dreams. Real American exceptionalism is not a punchline but is real to everyone in the world. Strong military. Values secure. Leadership in world.
This is the American way. We are victims of Destiny but masters of all we own.
I will not be part of the generation that fails that test and neither will YOU.
Great speech from Christie…not as fun as when he goes for the throats of his hecklers, but good. NOTE: Here’s some commentary about why Christie toned it down…because “the country has a negative opinion of Obama and Republicans have to show they have a positive vision for the country”. I think the trap they are setting is that by being positive and not attacking Obama they make the Left look bad when it’s a total crazy-pa-looza in Charlotte or they force Democrats to turn down the venom next week, which leaves the Left very disappointed because these Leftists just wait four long years to have a quadrennial hatefest like this. So if either of those things happen, then Republicans win. Pretty smart move.
FEED CUTS OUT on the YouTube channel…switching back to C-SPAN now. It’s a rock band playing. I think it’s the same singer from before but he’s morphed into a Brian Adams type persona now. This guy does more flips and identity swaps than Charlie Crist.
I think the convention is now over for the day because it’s 11pm in Charlotte (10pm in Chicago) and people want to go to sleep.
I had fun doing this today so if you enjoyed it, let me know in comments below. I’ll do it again during the day tomorrow too and into tomorrow night if you found this LIVE-BLOG useful. I like doing this so people who don’t have the time to watch all of this can get an idea of what watching it was like.
© 2012, Kevin DuJan. All rights reserved.
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Reince Preibus is hot compared to Debbie Blabbermouth Schultz..
Micheal Steele did a good job, Reince is not an establishment Republican, he is a Scott Walker/Ron Johnson/Paul Ryan Republican.
Reince Preibus as State Party Chair gained 2 house seats, a Senate Seat, State House, State Senate, Governor & Lt Governor, AG and Treasurer. So he knows how to win.
Love your commentary, my mom has an accent like that woman and it always I mean always leaves my sisters and I cracking up
Yes I do adore my mom and hope she never loses her accent the giggles alone give us hysterics.
I think the suprise guest could be Sarah Palin.
Sarah palin stepping aside might work, as she doesn’t want to be the only star in the GOP, Sarah wants Nikki Haley, Kelly Ayotte, Rubio, Christie, Ryan, Mc’Donnell at al to get coverage and help build the new GOP.
Palin was the star of 2008, what an amazing speech.
Hi Kevin, just turned CSPAN on in time to catch John Sununnu. He’s great. I think he toyed around with presidential runs back in the 90′s. Was he in primaries when they picked Bob Dole? Man the ‘pubs still use this waiting patiently in line process, Mitt waited his turn. After Mitt’s 8 years, do we get Ryan? Who else is in line?
I forgot how much I like this. The state delegations are fantastic, and it a real slice of political life to see this process in action.
America was great, is great and America will continue to be great!
I feel bad for the states that are hard blue. Is it at all remotely possible to see a Reagan type landslide?
O’s trashing of America for 4 years should make every American think about doing the right thing on Nov 6th.
Tell me about it. I yearn for the day when Maryland will be a swing state, but never gonna happen.
I was born in New Jersey, and grew up and live in New York. I dream of the day when my neighbors once again vote for freedom and liberty.
Chris Christie is not the most conservative, but he’s a fine start.
New York delegate bragging about taking seats in congress, another good start.
I hope to see the states turn Red in my life time.
Reminder: Kevin has taught us not to call states “red.” He said that this has been a tool of the leftists to hide the fact that left-leaning states have many in control who think along Communist lines. They hide their true character by labeling them “blue.”
(Forgive me, I’m a former teacher. )
Here’s the c-span video of Reince Priebus
http://hotair.com/archives/2012/08/28/video-opening-remarks-from-reince-priebus/
He’s hot. There, I said it.
“Miss Wisconsin is Miss America and Reince Preibus is the head of the RNC”
God, I love Scott Walker.
Oh, and Kevin, I love your play by play. It makes me laugh out loud. You are the BEST at this.
Hey, when are you going to run for Republican delegate from Chicago, hmmm????
Is that David Johansen in the house band?
He’s great.
Was a member of the band NY Dolls.
Sorry, its G.E. Smith. He lead the SNL house band for a number of years!
Was that Jackson Browne in the band too? If so — whoa.
Does anyone have a feed that works for old computers?I can’t use the C-span feed. thanks.
Kevin,
Oh, how I have missed you all these months and are so glad that you are back to using the gifts God gave you – writing, humor and political insight.
I want to comment on the Gov.of VA, Bob McDonnell. I remember the first time I saw him on TV. I remember thinking that his head was too big for his body. Now I know that this has nothing to do with whether the guy is a good speaker, good governor or anything else. It’s just that is does seem to make him look a little odd. I haven’t followed him seriously. I just know that his state appears to be in better fiscal shape than other states – like CT.
CTmom -
There’s something weird about McDonnell. You just watch. In like five years, we’ll know what it is.
I am telling you, it’s the same thing I felt about Mark Sanford. Someone that the straight GOP fanboys love for some reason who I just think it off-putting and creepy.
McDonnell has a secret of some kind, I just know it. Something weird that will blow up in a few years. He gives off a weird vibe that feels like he’s hiding something.
K
Another thought about McDonnell: There is something about the way his head stiffly moves on his neck. I hope that you are wrong, Kevin, but I fear you are correct. I just took a look at google images of him and he doesn’t seem to have light in his eyes. Maybe he just has small eyes, but they seem dark to me.
I think he is hiding something. He’s not gay — I can tell you that. There’s no blip on the gaydar with him. But he’s hiding something bad from voters that will come out in the future. He’s another one like Sandford who thinks he can hide big things from people and win national office. Whatever it is, it will come out.
He has a bad aura around him. If anyone knows what he’s hiding, pipe up. I don’t think it’s affairs like Sanford. I think it’s something dark and shameful.
PBS Coverage of the convention began at 7PM ET and should be available over-the-air on most PBS stations. Newshour’s live web coverage is at http://www.pbs.org/newshour.
Meanwhile, I am very disappointed in the rules changes pushed through today which have the potential to minimize the impact from “grassroots” (aka tea party) and will front load the establishment candidate by making the early primaries winner-take-all. I have notified the state party to no longer consider me a member.
Kevin, thanks for doing the live blog. I was just listening to Gov Palin on with Levin.
She was smoking!!
Smoking like being awesome, or smoking like lighting up with the Marlboro Man?
Kevin, thank you for doing this live blog. I had to tune over to an interview Levin did with Gov Palin. She was smoking tonight!
Gee, does anybody believe Kelly Ayotte believes in what she is saying?
Does anyone believe she has a pulse?
She was so robotic and cold. What do people see in her?
She’s terrible!
I do, she is a great looking woman who has a great record as AG of her state.
Democrats hate her because she put a cop killer on death row, they call her racist as it was an African American was the cop killer.
Kevin: It is just so great to have you back! Your commentary is excellent! So funny, you put into words things that we are thinking. I was not able to watch the roll call vote but I am glad I got to read your commentary, it made me feel like I was watching it.
Meanwhile: Kelly A. is on and I am not impressed. Monotone, blah. This Gilchrist guy is the real deal and I liked him.
I too am upset about the rules change, actually entertained the idea of not voting for the first time………but we have to get rid of President WTF and live to fight another day. We can take on the GOPe later, first President TheWon.
Gilchrist said, “Mitt Lomley.” Can you tell I’m not a a fan?
YAY OIHO!! (as WTF spells it). Ohio is near and dear to my heart: next to WV, my adopted state. Driving around WV this summer saw lots of signs that read “Stop the war on coal: Fire Obama”. Cheered us up – no signs like that here in the blue state of CT.
I love Kelly Ayotte, great Republican. She has lead NH to go Republican in 2010 and beat a ”Nancy boy” (Democrat man who backs Pelosi).
McDonnell is BORING, DULL and creepy.
I hate prompter readers.
Speak from the heart, you morons. That’s what Americans want!
We need to come up with a NO TELEPROMPTERS! thing, kind of like in the NO CAPES! scene from The Incredibles: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4R2aW03pwL0
Love Gov.Scott Walker and so do the delegates.
Yee Haw! Scott Walker! Wish I lived in Wisconson.
I love how they are hammering home the “We built this” theme.
Isn’t Ann Romney STUNNINGLY beautiful? She will make SUCH a classy first lady!!! Much like Laura Bush.
I can’t wait to see video of her and Mitt’s 18 grand-kids running around the White House, playing and romping. I’m sure Ann will replace all the Communist ornaments on the WH Christmas tree.
Wouldn’t it also be grand for Romney to INSIST on being sworn in to office, with the returned bust of Winston Churchill off to the side?
HOORAY! BYE-BYE OBAMA!
I live in VA, and McDonnell is our governor. I don’t get the “weird” vibe from him that you do. To me, he is the quintessential politician who has done all the “right” things. He went to Notre Dame, served in the army, has 5 kids, one of whom also served in the military, and worked his way up thru various political offices in VA. I think he has done a good job in VA, but he just seems like such a “good boy” who does everything right. Maybe he is boring, but I’d take him anyday over Tim Kaine, his predecessor.
There’s something weird about him. It might be that he does remind me of Bill from True Blood. That could be it.
But he’s also a teleprompter reader and I don’t like that. Not a good speaker.
Gov. Brian Sandoval – His use of the word “opportunity” sounds a lot like how Sarah Palin uses “opportunity.” Sarah doesn’t usually use an article (A, An, The) with “opportunity.” Just an observation.
No, not Secretary of Education, Kevin. Education is not a function of the federal government. The U.S. Department of Education should be abolished because it is unconstitutional.
Santorum would begin the process of getting rid of it. That’s why he’d be perfect. He’d be willing to eliminate his own Cabinet position.
Santorum is very good, too social conservative be the candidate,
He is always going on about social issues,
I’m loving Rick Santorum’s speech. Nice use of the word “hands.” He seems more humble in this speech and like he really means what he says.
Lots of Hispanics tonight, Cruz and Rubio are awesome.
I don’t agree with many of Santorum’s stances, but his ability to connect with his audience is undeniable. How do you think he surged in the polls? He SPOKE FROM THE HEART.
Whether you agree with his positions or not, he is the real deal.
And we need more of that today.
We need fewer teleprompter speakers like McDonnell, Ayotte, and Sandoval.
Boy, Sarah Palin sure picked a good one in Ted Cruz. I like listening to this guy and believe he believes in smaller government. May God bless our country with this guy in the Senate.
Ted Cruz will be an amazing Senator. the establishment candidate couldn’t make a speech like that for all the money he spent attack Cruz.
Wow. Cruz really hit the mark when he said that we are all the sons and daughters of people who risked it all for freedom. And we owe it to our children to pass it on.
I’m grateful that you started blogging Kevin, you got me to pay attention to the RNC convention and I’m beginning to believe again. Some of these speakers are very good and most are sincere in their beliefs, it is heartening.
It’s too bad that Artur Davis did not continue looking into the camera when he said that he wanted to talk to the Dems and Indies who voted for obama. He had good arguments, but when he said he wanted to talk to them, he seemed to be relying on the teleprompter, which caused him to forget to look straight ahead and therefore made him less effective.
Watching Governor Haley, I find that there is something about her voice that makes me smile (I also like what she’s saying).
Perhaps Nikki Haley has some kind of jaw problem. To me, it seems like she her jaw is tight. She doesn’t open up her mouth fully.
Ann Romney is so scared, she is not used to it,
But still doing great.
“The Hammer” is next. Ann was so-so. “Let’s talk about love” is too Obama-ish. She’s nice, but Here comes the HAMMER!
Chris Christie can put everybody on his back and carry us across the finish line this November.
He is awesome.
Neil Cavuto just called him the “Political Boss”.
If you want a good laugh, just turn to the PBS coverage. Those two female journalists are beside themselves with all the “We Built It” going on. They just can’t stand to hear negative words about Obama and his administration.
I agree on using “leftist” instead of “liberal”. Folks think Liberal is a nice way of saying libertarian withouth the conservative context.
BTW, Kevin I am so glad you are back. The guys did great while you were gone, but knowing that you are well enough to blog again at such a critical time is such great news. CT mom is right, you have a gift from God with your writing and I absolutely get motivated to take action when I read your posts. Please don’t over do it and take care of yourself.
Shared Sacrifice??? HUH???
It’s the Irish/Italian mix and his being raised in NJ that make Chris Christie who he is. I agree Spider, he is awesome!
Our CT governor makes fun of him and picks on him.
I think being an American is what makes Christie who he is.
I HATE when people say “I’m Irish-American” or “I’m Sicilian-American”. Teddy Roosevelt warned in 1900 about creating “hyphenated-Americans”.
The Left uses this stuff to divide people into subgroups.
I can’t stand seeing people do this. Anything that helps the Left needs to be nipped in the bud.
“They believe in teachers UNIONS. We believe in TEACHERS.” Great line, Gov. Christie.
This guy is a gifted speaker – he was definitely the right pick for the keynote speech! Go Christie!
Ok. Three Doors Down is not doing anything for me. Hard to understand the words, (I’m getting old) and not a tune that is memorable.
I agree CTmom, the song by Three Doors Down didn’t do much for me either. I’ll always remember “I gotta feeling” being played on the night Scott Brown won in Mass., it was awesome! Loaded that song in the ipod right away!
Kevin, thank you! Your way of doing this is the best. I had to step away for a few hours, but got right back up to speed reading your recaps.
Thanks Spider.
I’m glad it was helpful.
Tomorrow I’ll have up a Five Things You Need to Know from today’s events. Working on that now before I go to sleep.
Kevin, glad you’re back and feeling better.
Kevin,
Can’t wait for tomorrow!
This just made my night! Would love to watch TV with you every night!!
Please Kevin after your recent health problems Do not pu sh yourself too hard. We readers at HillBuzz and on the political battle front against the left need you around for a long long time.
My immediate impressions after Ann Romney’s surprisingly stellar pitch for her husband…?
Between Mitt, Ryan and Ann, Republicans are now official the Party of the Bold and the Beautiful!
Very nice to see you back!
Loved the live blog. I watched everything alone so it was great to read someone’s thoughts and many of the same reactions I had. Favorite, laugh-out-loud part: “I really think if Romney made him Secretary of Education he’d close down that Department and would eliminate his own Cabinet position. He would relish doing that.” So hilarious because it is so, so true!!! Let’s hope!
Jules — it’s totally true, isn’t it?
I could totally see him doing this. He would be all serious and everything, and he would have that playful smile on his face as he announced the Department of Education was being dissolved because it’s not constitutional for the federal government to be screwing around with Education.
I would just love that. It would be so epic because so many on the Left would lose a great deal of power if the Department of Education was dissolved and states took back control of their own school systems like they should have in the first place.
Glad you liked the live-blog. Hope you tune in for tomorrow’s installment.
I plan on doing this for the Dems’ convention too. I think it would be fun. And then the debates that are coming too.
Kevin, it was all great but the BEST line was when Justin asked if the state’s roll call was over but Obama would have been waiting for Yemen & Zanzibar.
TOOOO funny…on the way to all 57 states!
So glad you’re back in full force. We all missed you!
I DVR’d the speeches on CNN because I wanted to see what their talking heads were saying. I Just finished watching and was pretty impressed with Ann’s speech. When Mitt came on and they hugged & kissed, you could see that they love each other. A real contrast to Al & Tipper’s fake kiss.
Wolfie & Erin were on right after that and I thought I could see tears in Erin’s eye’s. It looked like she wanted to say something but Wolf butted in and they went immediately to New Orleans or a commercial – can’t remember.
When they came back on, Erin admitted that she had a “tear in her eye” and that she had felt the emotions during that moment.
I think that’s amazing – not only that a CNN reporter was touched but that she even mentioned it on air!
And Kevin, I’m so glad you’re back and I love your play by play.
Can’t wait for tomorrow’s.