This Convention Has Been An Utter Disaster for the Republicans

[Yavin4]

No matter what Sarah Palin does or says tonight nor what McCain does or says, this convention will be a disaster for the Republicans. Instead of four days of free shots at Obama, there are three days of answering this question: "Who the hell is Sarah Palin?"

Look at the Repub conventions in 2000 and 2004. In 2000, the Repubs put on a great show to the American people. They convinced at least half of America that Bush was a moderate, a good guy, a moral and decent guy, and that the Republican party was at least attempting to have some diversity. That convention was successful.

In 2004, it was Terra! Terra! Terra! Every speech, it was 9/11 this and 9/11 that, and that John Kerry was a flip flopper who would run scared from the terrorists. They used their convention to set up their fall campaign, and it was successful.

In this convention, it's all Sarah Palin, all of the time. She has sucked all of the air out of room. No real discussion of issues, no real contrasts with Obama, and no real presentation of McCain. Every news interview. Every discussion is Sarah! Sarah! Sarah!

In a year when the people want a real national conversation on the issues, the Republicans have wasted their time trying to convince the nation that a little known governor can be the next president if so called. This is nothing short of a political catastrophe.

[skooooo]

1. The 2004 RNC also had..

...those armies of young Republicans there to fill up the space. Remember that??

[JVS]

3. Maybe they DID sign up for the military as so many of us told them to.

:rofl:

[book_worm]

2. this reminds me of the '92 GOP convention which was nothing but a play for fundies

rather than swing voters.

[Arugula Latte]

4. Plus, there are numerous shots of vast stretches of empty seats.

:rofl:

[BelleCarolinaPeridot]

6. It sounded like a record applause track last night...

the applauses all sounded the same. And it didn't seem like a convention. I have never seen a group of people so out of touch with reality.

[Mist]

7. Yes, I noticed that, especially w/Shrub's telecast speech. Very artificial-sounding

applause track--total silence while * was speaking, then sudden crashing applause. Very fake.

[zbdent]

5. They're having trouble crossing over that darned bridge ...

[Egnever]

8. hmm not so sure of that

if she has a good speech tonight a lot of the questions will seemingly be answered. Their problem IMHO is putting her in a good light without obviously lying about her record.

In a way she is a lot like Obama a clean slate for people to project their image on. Tonight she will try to create that image for the country. It is entirely possible that she will wow the crowd tonight and tomorrow the media will be singing her hosannas. It all depends on how far she pushes the envelope of the reality of her record in my opinion. If she pushes too far she looks good today and gets destroyed tomorrow when its all proven to be lies. If she plays it safe and just sticks to general themes and doesn't come off sounding like a disaster then I think they have a shot at spinning this thing positively.

I think it comes down to how far they try to push the envelope. Push to far and she is a disaster. Otherwise it will be up to us to point out what a train wreck she is cause the media will be back in the tank for her.

[Yavin4]

11. She Will Have A Great Speech Tonight and Redeem Herself A Little

However, that's also one less night wherein the Republicans get to define who they are and how they're better for America and the Dems.

Palin may secure an individual victory tonight, but it will be at a loss to the party.

Keep in mind, a political party only gets four nights to sell themselves to the American people.

[Marie26]

9. Where is everybody?

The hall looks half-filled, and there's an eerie silence. It's like a funeral or something. How could it be so empty? There must be at least as many Rep. delegates as Dem. delegates, right? Did they just leave in disgust, or give up & go home? Maybe they're all just getting drunk instead, which is probably the smart choice for a Republican right now.

[VWolf]

10. Yes! When you're constantly answering questions and

defending yourself instead of attacking your opponent and promoting your agenda, you've lost.

Feels great being on the other side for a change!