RNC - Day 2* (Thanks to Gustav)

Although this is technically Day 2 of the Republican National Convention, it’s really Day 1, thanks to Hurricane Gustav. After a hectic weekend of hurricanes and introducing Palin, only to have her family maligned by the media, I am sure the Republicans in St. Paul are happy to be back on track, hopefully regaining the attention and framing the message for the fall campaign.

Missing Monday is not a bad thing entirely. It kept Cheney from attending, and Bush only spoke via a taped message from the White House; so for a campaign trying to distance itself from a highly unpopular president, it could turn out to be a plus. Even so, the shortened convention makes every moment from here to Thursday crucial for the McCain campaign. I began watching tonight as Laura Bush, in St. Paul, was introducing W’s speech from Washington. I didn’t envy her position. How do you bring out the positives in a president hovering at 30 percent approval without seeming desperate? Laura mentioned education reform (mild applause), Justices Alito and Roberts (wild applause), and Faith Based Initiatives (very mild applause – another post entirely). She also mentioned the massive increase in funding for caring for those with HIV, freedom in Afghanistan and Iraq, and the fact that the US has been kept safe since 9/11. Bush, to his credit, gave a humble speech, realizing that this was not the place for bravado. He praised McCain while also mentioning how many times McCain has gone against him – another humble moment. This maverick theme is extremely important for the McCain campaign to convey to the public, but it also creates the most confusion in the hall of Republican delegates. The fact is, McCain has gone against the Republican Party plenty of times. It is pretty ludicrous for the Obama campaign to claim that McCain will carry on the Bush presidency. But, to have to prove that at a Republican Convention creates some awkward scenes.

After Bush, Fred Thompson spoke. Is there something wrong with him? Is he healthy? (I can’t believe a year ago he was going to be the Republican Party savior. As I’ve mentioned before, he was a quite disappointing candidate.) Anyway, he looked older than McCain. The content of the speech was good, delivery a little shaky. He spent the first third of his speech defending and praising Palin, then turned his attention to the character of John McCain. Thompson recounted McCain’s time as a POW – McCain is an amazing man. I don’t know how he withstood all he did. But as Fred Thompson said, being a POW doesn’t qualify you to be president, but it does reveal the type of leader you will be. Thompson also spoke of McCain’s maverick tendencies. Again, a bit of awkwardness because it’s obvious that Thompson thinks McCain worked across the aisle too much, but a necessary point he has to make for McCain. David Brooks, a PBS pundit, mentioned that there was no re-definition of the Republican Party, and I agree, but I don’t think this is the election to do that. McCain is running as McCain – he’s basically having to run against his party in many ways. He’s not going to reshape the party in three days, but over four years. If he wins, then 2012 will be the year to do any necessary reshaping or renewing of the party. There is not time to do that fully now. Thompson also went after Obama, but not by name. In any respects, it was a good speech for the convention hall, but nothing transformative.

Then, in comes Joe Lieberman. You know, the 2000 Democratic VP nominee, still a Democrat, but supporting John McCain. If people tuned in to Lieberman’s speech, I think they will see how bipartisan, or post-partisan, McCain really is. What a moment too. Joe Lieberman decries senseless partisanship, declaring that he is supporting John McCain because “country matters more than party,” describing McCain as the only one who has actually worked across party lines to bring the country together. I highly respect Lieberman. I have since he stood up in 1998 to Clinton and I liked him in 2000 as well. Always seems congenial and humble. He was again tonight. He has placed his political career on the line for McCain. The Democratic leadership could strip him of his committee power, etc. Even so, Lieberman is willing to risk it to support McCain.

Some of his highlights:
- On the Maverick McCain: “God only made John McCain, and he is his own man.”
- On Obama’s thin resume: “Eloquence is no substitute for a record.”
- He said if McCain is more of the same, then he, Lieberman, is Michael Moore’s favorite Democrat.
- He appealed to Bill Clinton Democrats, mentioning how Clinton had worked with a Republican congress to balance the budget and reform welfare. He contrasted this with how extreme Obama is on the issues and how he has not ever worked across the party lines or challenged the Democratic leadership in the Senate.
- Lieberman called for national unity, not party unity.
- He then led Democrats and Independents in an invitation to support McCain. I swear he was about to ask people to come down to the altar.

Anyway, a very tense speech in the hall. Republican delegates weren’t sure how to clap for Clinton’s accomplishments, or McCain’s bipartisan record on immigration, environmentalism, and corruption. But I believe that independents and Democrats who aren’t sure about Obama could be swayed by Lieberman’s appeal. It was authentic and heartfelt. He even praised the choice of Palin, saying the two mavericks would bring needed change and a proven record to Washington. A good night for the McCain campaign – Bush graciously took a low profile, and Lieberman made the case for the post-partisan McCain. I’m not sure if anyone was watching, but if they were, I think the McCain campaign can be pleased by the events on night one, or two.

Tomorrow, Palin’s coming out party. Her speech tomorrow and her debate with Biden will ultimately decide her political fate. All the personal family drama will matter little when compared to how she fares in these two big moments.