Are you watching the RNC?

I'm a former republican who became an independent after the takeover of the party by Dirty Dickie Nixon.  However, out of fairness, I feel I have to give a listen to them.

I'm not feeling very fair though.  Why are these people so conformist?  I haven't seen so many black suits and red dresses since the last RNC.  Then there are the delegations all dressed the same, like some kind of square dance team - Texas has identical red shirts and straw (I think) cowboy hats.  Another delegation is all dressed in blue denim shirts.  I long for the craziness of the DNC.  They had some music but nobody was dancing in the aisles - the just sat demurely in their seats, clapping in time or sort of bouncing their heads.  What duds.

Then there's this little tidbit

http://www.washingtonindependent.com/3934/rep ublicans-lobbyists-party-with-hookers-and-blo w

I suppose they have to let off all that pent up steam somehow. 

The speeches so far are about what you'd expect.  Fred Thompson talked about McCain's life, but stopped with him being a POW.  didn't he have a life after that?  Not one mention of his two marriages and all those kids. 

I intend to stick with this.  Who knows, maybe there will be something said or done that will change my jaundiced mind.

What do you think of it?  And feel free to disagree with me - I don't mind - it's called free discourse.

One caveat: no discussion of Sarah Palin - we have a thread for that already.

I'm trying to watch it.  I'm a progressive Democrat but I think it's important to hear all sides.  I agree that the Republicans look "programmed"--yes, they do look like they are square dancers!  I think it's hard to watch when you know you won't agree with most of what is said because I had no trouble watching the Democrats last week.  I doubt the convention wins any votes--I'd hate to think that Americans are so dumb that they believe the hoop-la of either party, but I'm sure many are.  I'm looking forward to the debates--that's where you really learn what the candidates are about.

Unfortunately, I didn't get to watch the RNC last night, but of course tonight and tomorrow night are the bigger nights. I am a conservative, but I also watched the DNC. I thought Obama did a good job until the end of his speech where the idealogical differences came out. I'm sure many think in the reverse, of course.

Anyway, I don't think the R's are conformists. I think they were just going with what was appropriate. The D's have their tradition...the R's have theirs. But, if you saw Cindy McCain, she definitely wasn't the typical lady in red.

No.

To be honest, it really hasn't occurred to me to watch it - let's face it, convention related speeches and pageantry are designed to solidify the party base and win over swing voters, neither of which apply to me regarding the RNC.  This is one of those times where I'm content with news summaries and the requisite lampooning on The Daily Show and Colbert Report.

I'm mildly interested in McCain's speech - but if something else comes up, it won't be a hard sell to tear me away from it.

tuned in a little for Fred's speech and Joe's speech. I admire both men, and felt McCain really did a disservice to this country by passing over Leiberman. Although I respect Joe a lot, the guy is, unfortunately, backing the wrong horse, IMO.

We have an idea where McCain's campaign is headed, I think. He'll call Obama's commitment to country into question. He'll focus on his own POW experience, or others will for him. He'll avoid reference to the current administration. Am I missing anything?

Will watch Palin's speech to see if I can get an idea who she is. Bush's speech writer is writing her speech. She's been sequestered for 2 days. I imagine she is practicing.

I heard a little bit of GWB last night from the other room. I just can't listen to him speak. I get too angry.

I'm with Santo on this. There is no way the RNC can convert me to any of their ideas. I'm content with the summaries.

Was Palin there last night? One of the websites said she was going to be mysteriously absent. It was a radical anti-McCain/Palin website that I happened to find in search of Palin background. I knew better than to pay attention to anything on that site. Some of their stuff was pretty funny though.

Original Post by santonacci:

 This is one of those times where I'm content with news summaries and the requisite lampooning on The Daily Show and Colbert Report.

I have a feeling that tonight Stewart and Colbert will save my sanity. 

No she has been in lock down (as NPR said this morning). She cancelled an engagement today. I gotta assume she is getting ready for the most important speech of her life.

Original Post by trendstudent:

Anyway, I don't think the R's are conformists. I think they were just going with what was appropriate. The D's have their tradition...the R's have theirs. But, if you saw Cindy McCain, she definitely wasn't the typical lady in red.

 There's something about Cindy McCain that is disturbing.  She did all that charity work for children, but when the Arizona legislature proposed a liquor tax to pay for much needed pediatric hospital needs, she opposed it.  I guess the bottom line for Budweiser is more important than a bunch of babies.  If she didn't want her product taxed, why didn't she use some of her wealth to pay for what was needed? 

I never watch anything live. I read about what sounds interesting and then watch videos on the internet. I expect to watch at least some of McCain and Palin.

It's really troubling to read about the treatment of protesters at the RNC.  They're not just going after a small handful of potentially disruptive folk, but a large number of peaceful protestors and journalists. For some coverage, see:   http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/

Truly, what country do we live in. The founding fathers did a good job with the bill of rights; freedom of assembly is a core principle.  The crackdown on peaceful protest says as much or more to me about the RNC than anything that is said in the convention hall.

 

The treatment of the protesters at the RNC is a play straight from the books of GWB. There are countless stories of peaceful protesters being jailed during his administration. He doesn't want any protest signs to show at televised events so he and his administration have instructed the SS to agressively go after protesters.

Original Post by clairelaine:

Original Post by trendstudent:

Anyway, I don't think the R's are conformists. I think they were just going with what was appropriate. The D's have their tradition...the R's have theirs. But, if you saw Cindy McCain, she definitely wasn't the typical lady in red.

 There's something about Cindy McCain that is disturbing.  She did all that charity work for children, but when the Arizona legislature proposed a liquor tax to pay for much needed pediatric hospital needs, she opposed it.  I guess the bottom line for Budweiser is more important than a bunch of babies.  If she didn't want her product taxed, why didn't she use some of her wealth to pay for what was needed? 

 Ok, but that goes back to idealogical reasons.... Maybe she's of the opinion that it's considered a "sin tax" and doesn't support it. I can't speak for her but if I made any type of product, like toenail clippers, why is it that my company is forced to pay for something and others aren't. This is one of those tough areas that the 2 sides may never agree on.

Pssst...wanna know a secret...I give money to the ASPCA, the Humane Society, and St. Judes...please know that R's choose to donate for their own causes and not what someone tells them to donate to.

I watch the RNC ( as much as it kills me lol ) It is important to me to see both sides. My boyfriend who watched with me, looked over at me and said " this is killing you isn't it?" lol To be honest, it does get me going, I find myself yelling out at the tv every other sentence said so far by GWB, Fred Thompson, and the commentators ( McCains people) who were talking to Katie Curic. I wanted to rip them through the tv 

But yes, as hard as it is for me, I watch.

Cindy McCain gives me the creeps. Something just seems off about her.

I can't watch it because I'll end up throwing a shoe through the screen of my TV.

I don't know how anyone with a uterus can even think about voting Rebulican. THERE I SAID IT.

Original Post by spirochete:

I don't know how anyone with a uterus can even think about voting Rebulican.

 Well, I'm sure it can be done.  thinks about voting Republican.....cold shivers...thinks happy thoughts to get image of finger touching republican ballot out of head....

But I wouldn't recommend it.

15: Heh. In 2000, I also owned a gun. I had less concern that the Reps were going to reverse Roe V Wade than that the Dems were going to require me to register my firearm. That's how. :)

i've only heard parts of the Thompson and Lieberman speeches on POTUS 08

from what I've heard, it sounds like they've said that

friend republicans ... good!
fire democrats ... BAD!

friend McCain ... good!
fire Obama ... BAD!

that sums up Tuesday night?

as a voter, i feel that you should get to know all you can about what you are voting for. if you don't, it could end up biting YOU in the end. case in point, an 18 year old with enough pot on him to smoke himself. not selling it. just personal use. he gets pulled over and gets a misdemeanor. he gets busted two more times and he is now facing a felony charge. he is 18 years old, going to prison and now having to proclaim himself a felon. we vote on laws before thinking about the impact on everyone. we were just thinking of the drug dealers and pushers. fyi i have never smoked pot or used any drug but i do have family that have kids that do. my point is that we should hear both sides before making a final decision and not worry so much about pushing our own views on others.

i did love the part were Thompson said that the democrats are not going to tax the middle class or lower class. just the business owners and big business. he was like, "so, unless you buy groceries, gas, clothes and other commodities, you will not be effected. it's like trying to take 1/2 the water out of a pail"  that made sense to me.

and, who really cares what they are wearing? really?

and "cindy mccain creeps me out" really??? how would you like someone to say that about you?

i watched the democratic convention and am watching the republican convention as well...on the elliptical of course

 

Original Post by kathygator:

15: Heh. In 2000, I also owned a gun. I had less concern that the Reps were going to reverse Roe V Wade than that the Dems were going to require me to register my firearm. That's how. :)

 LOL!  I too, have more important concerns than whether the Reps are going to reverse Roe V Wade.  I think it's silly to vote Dem just because I have a uterus.

I look at a LOT more issues than just abortion.