Politics and Culture

OK:

1. The people who set up that screen behind the podium must have been Circuit City Firedog rejects. The green background was horrible. I almost think it would have been better if they'd have shown Toxic Avenger behind McCain instead.

The Toxic Avenger

2. The protesters were distracting. I didn't get McCain's reference exactly when he tried to deal with them. It was an OK recovery, though. Good nature and a smirk is the way to deal with Code Pink nutties. Don't take them seriously.

3. It's a testament to Palin that no other speaker matched her magic moment last night.

4. McCain stumbled a bit. The funniest was, "Palin will lend a hand...and nose...and KNOWS...

5. The Bush separation part was good. A quick thank you for keeping us safe and then, no mention. I didn't think of Bush at all and I don't think many people in the home audience did either.

6. His attack on Republicans was believable because he has, in fact, fought Republican corruption- McCain has credibility in this regard. The anti-corruption part was a good antidote to the phony "change" theme. Remember, most people aren't "suffering." They just want somebody who won't mess things up and whom they can live with for four years.

The "Back to Basics" line will go over with people tired of an often unnecessarily complicated world. People can relate viscerally to this idea because of technology issues, etc. "Let's dump the GPS and just use a map."

7. He didn't really attack Obama except to contrast basic philosophical differences like lower versus higher taxes.

8. I thought the hard luck stories were good. I feared that they would be overdone, but they weren't. The New Hampshire couple who lost their son was touching.

McCain didn't really say what he'd do to help them except "fight." OK. Just as well since I don't like that stuff anyways.

9. McCain didn't dwell too much on policy, but it was a life raft for the people who felt that they were drowning in a sea of generalities- from both parties.

Broad strokes on health care, middle class and corporate tax cuts- good ideas that McCain will emphasize in the coming two months. Again, simple things that people will understand: "Pre-school, college, health care, tire gauges, wind? Can I just have the money instead?"

10. I don't care what people say, the John McCain POW story is a good one, and I never tire of it. Just like women can relate to Palin because of her family situation and admire her for her choices, men can admire McCain for his decision to stay with his comrades.

And, it's relevant. It's a better character gauge than flip flops or whether one's teenage daughter has had sex.

Bonus points:

11. A rousing ending to an effective if not perfect speech.

12. I like the "I'm no war monger" part.

13. On "fighting:" Fight whom? Special interests? OK. I always feel uncomfortable with Americans declaring war on each other.

14. My politically uninvolved wife was impressed by the speech.

Summary:

The whole convention's purpose was to remind the people that they have a choice between a dedicated public servant and legitimate hero and, essentially, a zero. Republicans to nation: "Are you crazy, America? The choice is obvious!"

CNN

Tags: criticism of mccain speech, how did mccain do, mccain speech analysis