What to say on a day where the star of NBC’s Law and Order and a losing Vice Presidential candidate receives top billing over the sitting President of the United States? Some quick thoughts.
The wargy theme was to be expected — McCain’s noticeably been touting his POW status, and the “Country First” campaign slogan sounds like a discarded remnant from the U.S. Army’s new ad campaign. Still, though, the story of the Medal of Honor recipient who dove on a grenade in Iraq to save fellow Navy SEALs … is that an uncomfortable metaphor for what the party’s having to do with the Palin nomination? I mean, earlier this week, a mere three days after the nomination, InTrade opened with bids that Palin would withdraw as VP prior to the election. But it’s not like the GOP won’t highlight the war — it’s very much a case of “dance with who brung ya” right now.
Bush did what he had to do for party loyalty, and the party did what it had to do putting him on, though having him on in the 9 pm ET rather than the 10 pm ET was curious — as if they were trying to hide him or something. (Certainly not.) Bush mentioning the “angry left” was a pretty quick play to partisan politics so soon after we were all supposed to work together on Hurricane Gustav, taking off Republican hats and putting on American hats.
Fred Thompson was a hit (to this crowd), despite flubbing some of his Obama attack lines with stumbles. We’re back to some of the old tried-and-true chestnuts — the media is liberal! The Dems will raise your taxes! Thompson actually tried to tie Obama to future taxes on businesses to paying more for groceries and gasoline. Just some sage advice, Fred — this might not be the election you want to remind people they’re paying more for groceries and gasoline.
Benedict Lieberman also appeared. It’s heartbreaking to watch on several levels — it’s becoming increasingly clear that McCain really wanted him as VP, as much as he tries to sell Palin as reformer. It’s clear that the Republicans would have none of that — though I still imagine a scenario where, post-election, Palin steps down as VP “because of the kids” and because she “loves Alaska too much,” and then McCain just goes ahead and appoints Lieberman, conservatives be damned. Something to watch in the fall elections is how much of a margin Democrats gain in the Senate and how swift the rebuke is against the esteemed Senator from Connecticut.
Tonight’s Palin night. I assume ratings will be high.
