The Republican National Convention
Several hours ago now, I pointed out that Michael Steele is a rising star. I believe we have a man who can take the Senate seat now held by Paul Sarbanes when it likely opens in two years.
Speaking of Senate seats, Mel Martinez won an easy victory tonight, and the media doesn’t like it. I have never seen an article this biased, and remember, I’m close to the liberal bastion of Philadelphia. Mel Martinez needs to talk to Dick Cheney and get some pointers, if you know what I mean, before calling the Miami Herald. Martinez will be favored to win, an immigrant who embodies the spirit of America.
And now that we’re on the topic of immigrants, let me say that for me, this is a personal issue too. I am a second-generation American whose grandparents nearly died in a genocide and great-grandparents did. For me, America is, and will remain, one nation, united by liberty, dedicated to freedom. Arnold Schwarzenegger embodied this spirit. Last night I said that it would be hard to surpass last night’s speakers, but he did it. He made everyone watching proud to be a Republican.
And invoking Richard Nixon’s name? I turned to the person watching the convention with me and started laughing. I knew, and others have since confirmed this, that Richard Nixon has not been mentioned at a Republican Convention, in depth and in a positive light, since 1972. Thank you Arnold…Richard Nixon gave America many gifts, but if hemade you a Republican, then it was the greatest gift of all. And I really didn’t think he’d do it, but he did. “Economic Girlie-Men!” (I’m glad I was so persuasive for Martinez…maybe I should start pushing a constitutional amendment to make the Governor eligible to run for President…)
On numerous Republican forums, the Bush girls are receiving a storm of criticism and rebuke for their speech. Okay, I’m going to tell you a little about myself. I’m roughly the same age as the Bush girls. I know what my generation is like. I know their strengths, and I know their weaknesses. Tonight, the girls embodied both.
Laura Bush was, as expected, excellent. She gave a powerful, persuasive speech which demonstrates again why she is so popular. The first lady will be a powerful asset in the fall, and although she has no competition on the other side since her “opponent” has been muzzled, her effectiveness in moderate suburban areas cannot be overstated.
-- Alexander K. McClure