Okay, folks. A promise is a promise. This Labor Day— my reflections of the Republican National Convention, Tampa!
First off, a little nod to Greg Gutfeld, who pointed out two “deaths” on full display, as the convention raged on: OWS, and OWM. “OWS,” of course, is the Occupy movement— now given in to dangling donuts in cops’ faces… and then asking them for directions to the next protest site. “OWM” is “Old White Men”— the stereotype imposed on the GOP by a Democrat party that swears up and down that they are the party of “hip”. Needless to say… at least since the Tea Party burst onto the scene, that’s changed.
Now, we’ve got Susana Martinez (pictured), the first female Hispanic governor in American history… Marco Rubio, about whom so many great things can be easily said— Paul Ryan, who though white, is also young, dynamic, and intense. We’ve also got Chris Christie— half Irish, half Sicilian, all awesome. Un-hip? Fuhgeddaboudit!
All those folks spoke at the convention— along with Arthur Davis, the latest in a long line of former Democrats who’ve seen the light. Davis, remember, was the fellow who seconded Obama’s nomination at the DNC back in ’08. Now… he’s pulled no punches in calling out the Democrats in their decided lack of tolerance and acceptance— it’s the GOP that’s the big tent. As if to prove his point, the convention exploded in cheers when he walked on stage— welcoming an honest fellow to the family, with open arms.
Rand Paul spoke on the Constitution, and how Obama is just too dismissive of it for us to allow another term. With his endorsement of Romney, to be perfectly blunt, the remaining militants in the “Revolution” are without excuse. After all, they all said Rand was the heir to his father’s movement… right?
(BTW… a certain colleague is using Ron’s absence as “proof” that the GOP is disallowing “free thought,” or something. Okay— you really think Ron getting booed off the stage by the audience would be preferable to his being required to edit out the “we brought 9/11 on ourselves” stuff in order to speak? Nope— check, please.)
Ann Romney provided the audience— at home, and in the stadium— with a nice, romantic look at the heart of her husband. It was powerful, it was pointed— it was a knockout. She would be followed in later nights by videos and speakers that describe how much of a hero Mitt has been— from a touching tale about a kid who went to him for advice on a will… all the way to Staples, the office-supply legend that Bain Capital helped create. But Ann set the tone— the evil, greedy image the Left has painted of Romney is not reality. Far from it.
His Awesomeness, Chris Christie, gave a pointed keynote address on what makes for good leadership. Most people were probably expecting the typical Christie bravado, tearing Obama and the Left to shreds. Not this time… but I personally was basking in the New Jersey governor’s charisma and bold truthfulness from beginning to end. His main point? Being worthy of respect is often better than being loved. The GOP’s been obsessed with being “loved” for far too long. Now, it’s time to go hard-core.
In Christie’s mold were other superstar governors like John Kasich, Scott Walker, Nikki Haley— and of course, Susanna Martinez, who recounted her own switch from Democrat to Republican. Condoleezza Rice also gave an inspiring account of her life story— and a scathing critique of Obama’s failures, here and abroad.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t bring up Clint Eastwood—who made a surprise appearance on the last day, improvising a pointed, if a bit “cute,” presentation on the need to let Obama (a real “empty chair”…) go.
Marco Rubio took a swig of Clint’s water… and made the convention’s day, with an eloquently Reagan-esque speech— complete with touching anecdotes about his family. America was again reminded that he will be president, one day.
And Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan? They were at their very best. Ryan tore apart the critics and laid into Obama’s neglect on the budget— and Romney made it absolutely clear: his will be an administration of deeds, not words.
Overall… a great week to be a Republican. It’s almost enough to prevent the nausea from sitting through the Democrat convention, this week.
Almost.
(U.S. Army photo)
