AmSpec Blog

Re: Can't Agree

info@spectator.org (Hunter Baker) — Fri, 5 Sep 2008 20:08:15 EST

Sounds like high risk and no/low reward to me, RSC.

Why do it before you get into the swing of a national campaign? Maybe to satisfy somebody's idea of moving the storyline along or to provide a feast for a punditocracy needing one more thing to talk about.

She can do it on her terms and the American people won't spend a moment worrying about it in the meantime. They surely won't be sweating Alan Colmes' "good opinion."
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Besides Which ...

info@spectator.org (Robert Stacy McCain) — Fri, 5 Sep 2008 19:55:58 EST

Do you really want to give Alan Colmes an excuse to gloat?...

Re: Can't Agree

info@spectator.org (Robert Stacy McCain) — Fri, 5 Sep 2008 19:50:43 EST

Well, Hunter, if she's a superstar, she'll shine, eh?

A press conference is better than a one-on-one, because in a press conference, if somebody asks you a question you don't like, you can bat it back with quick joke, and then call on someone else. And when you get a question where you're strong, filibuster for five minutes.

It's really not hard to do a 40-minute press conference and avoid the worst of the "gotchas" that way. I assume that, as governor, Palin knows how to do this. She really seems like a natural, and I think they're making a mistake by trying to keep her away from reporters.

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Re: Make Her Talk

info@spectator.org (Robert Stacy McCain) — Fri, 5 Sep 2008 19:39:55 EST

Good points, all, J.P. Rather than giving one-on-ones with umpteen different interviews, though, the way to defeat the "she's hiding" angle is to give an "availability" after a rally -- short notice, and let 'em have a half-hour or 40 minutes of shouting questions at her. And if the networks still whine about no one-on-ones, you answer, "Well, we don't want to play favorites."

That one 40-minute "press avail" buys you a few days, at least. If it were up to me, I'd at least have her do "Fox News Sunday" this week. Surely she can handle that....

Can't Agree "Other McCain"

info@spectator.org (Hunter Baker) — Fri, 5 Sep 2008 19:37:14 EST

Why in the world would you rush your brand new superstar governor into a press conference or one on one interview? You know what they want. The idea is to think of lots of detailed foreign policy questions with answers requiring memorization rather than simple analysis and start tossing those like bombs. She needs time to transition from the governor set of facts to a presidential set of facts and then she'll knock their teeth out.

Why take a chance on turning your most valuable acquisition into damaged goods? There's a long campaign ahead, sir.
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Troopergate! That's our line!

info@spectator.org (J.P. Freire) — Fri, 5 Sep 2008 18:44:01 EST

In an act of negligence, reporters are hopping all over this "troopergate" story. Except it's not "troopergate." It's something-else-gate. Troopergate was a story about how, while governor of Arkansas, Bill Clinton used state troopers and state facilities to have extramarital affairs (depending on what you mean by sex, of course). This story was reported on by the Spectator in the early 1990s as an example of a story that the media didn't want to cover because it was too "tabloidy," but mostly because it didn't want to malign the then-candidate of Change.

Of course, that was the very story that led to other problems for the Clintons, ones that would eventually lead to the Spectator's official unmasking as the Vast Right Wing Conspiracy. If it's a conspiracy to dig up stories where you're exchanging the public trust for sex, well, pleased to be of service. Ahem.

Yet what's Palin ac...

The Press Has Ways Of Making Palin Talk

info@spectator.org (J.P. Freire) — Fri, 5 Sep 2008 18:24:45 EST

"If she can't handle a press conference, how can you argue she's ready to be vice president?"

I completely agree with you, *but* I was just on MSNBC with David Shuster, and realized something. These people are salivating. They're eager to rip into her.

First he asks me what I figured Palin was going to talk about on the trail -- I suggested that it's likely she's going to stick to the conservative themes that made her convention speech so popular. He then asks, abruptly, why she won't do one on one interviews yet and answered "the American people" and if that means she's not ready to be vice president.

Wait, wait. She's been in the spotlight for how many days, and the fact that she hasn't pitched up for a one on one means that she's not ready for the slot? If anything it's probably a smart move right now. The press is mistaking itself for The People. The more self-righteous it gets about ...

Snore

info@spectator.org (Lawrence Henry) — Fri, 5 Sep 2008 17:38:04 EST

John McCain's acceptance speech reminded me of no one so much as...Al Gore....

Real Change

info@spectator.org (Reid Collins) — Fri, 5 Sep 2008 17:20:11 EST

Two lines in McCain's acceptance apparently escaped nearly all the chatterers. They are confessions, accusations, and the heart of the matter that defines "change" better than anything uttered on either side of the aisle:

"I fight to restore the pride and principles of our party. We were elected to change Washington, and we let Washington change us."

Beat that for an admission of GOP guilt, an explanation of why grand juries are meeting overtime, and an intimation that in McCain's view change must come from within. Not the sort of talk "K" Street Washington is used to....

Wrong. Wrong. Wrong.

info@spectator.org (Robert Stacy McCain) — Fri, 5 Sep 2008 16:44:51 EST

Republican media strategery:

A senior McCain campaign official advises that, despite the gaggle of requests and pressure from the media, Gov. Sarah Palin won't submit to a formal interview anytime soon. She may take some questions from local news entities in Alaska, but until she's ready -- and until she's comfortable -- which might not be for a long while -- the media will have to wait.

Grrrrr. If she can't handle a press conference, how can you argue she's ready to be vice president?

This fear-based, defensive, curl-up-inside-your-shell posture toward the press is killing the GOP. It's insane: Treat the press like the enemy and then complain about media bias. Oh, I wish Tony Snow were still alive to explain to these "senior campaign officials" why this approach doesn't work....

'Married to an Eskimo'?

info@spectator.org (Robert Stacy McCain) — Fri, 5 Sep 2008 15:51:39 EST

Megan McArdle:

Sarah Palin is what the McCain camp has badly needed: an attack dog who can be deployed against Obama. She slides the stiletto in without either losing her femininity or coming across as catty, and given that she's married to an eskimo, it's going to be hard to fit her into the narrative of conservative closet racists trying to perpetuate white domination.

Now, wait a doggone minute here:

Is Megan trying to say that all prejudices are created equal? Just because you're not prejudiced against Eskimos means you're altogether free from prejudice? Wait until the folks in Alabama hear about this!
Does anybody look at blue-eyed Todd Palin and think, "Hey, Nanook, where's your igloo?"

This whole identi...

Daily (non-Convention) Must-Reads

info@spectator.org (Joseph Lawler) — Fri, 5 Sep 2008 12:27:17 EST

Yes, Russia wants an empire again

No hope on energy

Economics of drill, drill, drill in ANWR

Cardinal Francis George responds to Pelosi forcefully

And they’re off!

When browsers start warring, we all benefit

Trying to affect climate change won’t be easy

Backlash vs. US Weekly

info@spectator.org (Robert Stacy McCain) — Fri, 5 Sep 2008 12:02:20 EST

US Weekly is reportedly losing subscribers because of its "Babies, Lies and Scandal" cover story about Sarah Palin:

"When Us went to print Monday night, it looked like the ticket was falling apart," says one magazine editor. "They went to print thinking Palin was dead in the water, and their mistake was thinking everyone who reads Us is a Democrat, when they're not. Readers are loyal, but the base of a political party is more loyal."

Here's the cover:

Compare to the Obama cover in June:

Early Vote Returns: Barr Wins Texas

info@spectator.org (J.P. Freire) — Fri, 5 Sep 2008 11:37:13 EST

Looks like McCain and Obama both missed their chance to get on the Texas ballot. Obviously, they're going to wind up on it, but Barr is threatening legal action if it happens. See, Barry O? You're not the only one who knows how to throw opponents off a ballot! ...

Re: Kuo Doubles Down

info@spectator.org (J.P. Freire) — Fri, 5 Sep 2008 11:18:26 EST

Indeed, I think that's wrong. There was a quality to Palin's speech that hasn't been at the center of Republican oratory for a while -- her ability to communicate a common understanding. Looking at the field of GOP leaders recently confirms this: W. was a silver spoon baby, John McCain, in spite of his personal story, is stilted, Newt Gingrich is aloof, and Ron Paul always seems nervous.

Some bloggers felt that Palin was too negative, but I think how she handled the negativity was instructive -- it felt like a wrist slap than a schoolmarmish clucking, or a bitter political attack. It was proportionate.

As to whether chills should come down the spine at the thought of a President Palin, perhaps similar chills should have surfaced at the time President Bush was nominated. At that time he had more failures and fewer achievements than Governor Palin. I don't know what was so chilly, though -- she was fine.
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'Fearful Shiver'?

info@spectator.org (Robert Stacy McCain) — Fri, 5 Sep 2008 10:40:05 EST

David Kuo doubles down:

Palin’s speech . . . fell spectacularly short on convincing the American people that the the two words "president" and "palin" could be uttered together without a fearful shiver going up one’s spine.

Unlike Kuo, I don't claim to speak for "the American people," but I'm not feeling any such shiver. How about you, J.P.?...

CBS Poll: TIED!

info@spectator.org (Robert Stacy McCain) — Fri, 5 Sep 2008 10:33:28 EST

It's now even at 42%, says CBS News, while Rasmussen shows a 2-point advantage for Obama. ...

John S. McCain: Anatomy of a Speech

info@spectator.org (Hunter Baker) — Fri, 5 Sep 2008 10:18:36 EST

John McCain deserves tremendous credit for maintaining his cool while being repeatedly interrupted by protesters. Somehow, he managed not to lash out or show visible irritation. I kept expecting him to yell, "What the hell did you ever do for your country? Don't you think I deserve to be heard? Have I earned that much?" He soared above it.

On the other hand, I have to rate the first 1/2 to 2/3 of the speech as weak. It had the same uninspiring feeling as a George W. Bush State of the Union. The laundry list, the calling out of ordinary Americans. When he started naming people struggling with recession, I thought of some campaign functionary looking at the poll results. "Cares about people like me" -- Check. The first part of the speech had to be endured, sort of like direct mail that repeats the old pattern and the old tricks. You have to wade through it to get to the meat.

The good news is that there was meat. McCain got through the faux...

Re: Isaiah Berlin on McCain

info@spectator.org (Robert Stacy McCain) — Fri, 5 Sep 2008 09:27:22 EST

Jeremy, were the commenters so surly that the Guardian took down the column? I'm getting a dead link.

UPDATE: Here's the actual link, and yeah, the commenters are indeed surly: " I saw a dithering old man on the verge of dementia. He belongs in a museum, not the White House."...

Isaiah Berlin on McCain

info@spectator.org (Jeremy Lott) — Fri, 5 Sep 2008 09:13:57 EST

Here's my reaction to John McCain's speech from today's Guardian. The commenters sure are surly today. ...

C-Span today, bright and early

info@spectator.org (J.P. Freire) — Fri, 5 Sep 2008 01:35:25 EST

I'll be on C-Span's Washington Journal at 7:45 a.m. opposite the New Republic's thoughtful Franklin Foer. We'll be agreeing and disagreeing, but all at a comfortable decibel level, and excited to see the over-the-shoulder camera work its magic on the newspaper clippings.

UPDATE: Here's the link to the show.
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His ending was strong

info@spectator.org (J.P. Freire) — Fri, 5 Sep 2008 01:32:50 EST

It would make sense that he was being so constantly interrupted by the protesters, given how distracted he seemed to be at times. But was that really the cause of it? I don't think he managed to summon the ability to get past the prompter -- he seemed like he was still using it.

Whatever the case, as a speech, on paper, it looks far better than it was spoken. Unfortunately, no one reads. That said, his run towards the end was impressive. Yes, it was Churchillian. I don't think he's given a better speech during his campaign.

But there were problems. He did the example thing, where he provides a story about your average American who's having trouble feeding her dog (well, maybe not *that*, but close). He stammered on some lines, again, possibly because of protesters. But there's something eminently strange about a man at a Republican convention highlighting his credentials as being more than just a Republican. And more, there's something stra...

Re: Wrap-Up on McCain's Speech

info@spectator.org (Wlady) — Fri, 5 Sep 2008 00:39:30 EST

Watching from home, I can't disagree more with the idea that McCain's speech "was overall pretty flat and dull." To the contrary, it was the best speech McCain has given since launching his candidacy. He rose to the occasion as never before, and for the first time I got the sense why he's running for -- and why he is determined to become -- President. In the wake of Sarah Palin's triumph Wednesday night, McCain not only surpassed expectations but delivered his own walk-off grand slam....

McCain

info@spectator.org (Philip Klein) — Thu, 4 Sep 2008 23:21:00 EST

McCain isn't generally a great speaker, and he was slow to get going tonight, but he ended strong, with a recount not just of the heroic portion of his captivity, but of when he was broken and ashamed, with nothing to fall back on but the counsel of one of his fellow soldiers, and the love of his country. His Churchilian rallying cry at the end of the speech brought the house down. It was delivered with a level of conviction that few others could muster, because he's lived it. "Stand up, stand up, stand up and fight. Nothing is inevitable here. We’re Americans, and we never give up. We never quit. We never hide from history. We make history."...

Wrap-Up on McCain's Speech

info@spectator.org (John Tabin) — Thu, 4 Sep 2008 23:10:22 EST

Some good moments, but overall pretty flat and dull, I'm afraid....

The Background

info@spectator.org (John Tabin) — Thu, 4 Sep 2008 22:55:12 EST

The blue screen behind McCain isn't as bad as the green that prevailed earlier, but it's still not good....

Snake(s) at the Garden Party

info@spectator.org (John Tabin) — Thu, 4 Sep 2008 22:25:28 EST

I'm not sure how clear this is on TV, but McCain's rhythm is being broken a bit by the audience's reactions to a heckler in the rafters.

UPDATE: More protesters, as I'm sure you know by now. This happened at the 2004 GOP convention, too, but Bush didn't stop to adlib a response the way McCain did....

"It's Not About Talkin' Pretty"

info@spectator.org (James Antle) — Thu, 4 Sep 2008 21:28:57 EST

"It's about talkin' straight." So says Tom Ridge, another less impressive speaker than Sarah Palin.

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On the Road to Victory

info@spectator.org (James Antle) — Thu, 4 Sep 2008 21:13:30 EST

Not in November, but in Iraq. Lindsey Graham's speech has been about the most war- and surge-centric speech I've heard yet. He also gives credit to Joe Lieberman, and the delegates applaud enthusiastically. Graham accuses Obama of offering the troops "a patronizing pat on the back."

UPDATE: Graham just said, echoing the Democratic nominee, "I'm not saying Barack Obama doesn't care. I'm just saying he doesn't get it."

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Joe Gibbs

info@spectator.org (James Antle) — Thu, 4 Sep 2008 20:53:55 EST

Even the press corps cheered him....

Convention Video

info@spectator.org (James Antle) — Thu, 4 Sep 2008 20:47:38 EST

I think the Republican convention just declared war on Iran, but I could be wrong....

"Yes We Can, Yes We Will!"

info@spectator.org (James Antle) — Thu, 4 Sep 2008 20:33:20 EST

I thought I'd heard the last of this nonsense in Denver....

Right Choice Made

info@spectator.org (John Tabin) — Thu, 4 Sep 2008 20:17:06 EST

Tim Pawlenty (speaking now) is, to put it kindly, less impressive than Sara Palin....

Tim Pawlenty

info@spectator.org (James Antle) — Thu, 4 Sep 2008 20:13:21 EST

Minnesotans like him, they really like him....