Boy, does it feel good to have the convention actually begin. I arrived on Saturday, and so it feels like there's been 72 hours of pre-game warm-ups.
If Nevada governor Brian Sandoval were not pro-choice, he would have an exceptionally bright future in national Republican politics. He still may, but his stance on abortion will make him unacceptable to a lot of Republicans who might be otherwise intrigued by his personal story.
Guy Benson: "CNN didn't air Kasich, McDonnell or Walker's speeches? Good thing their regular primetime programming pulls in such huge ratings!"
Former presidential candidate Rick Santorum spoke in the 9 p.m. hour, and he had a very good line discussing his immigrant ancestors: "In 1923, there weren't any benefits for immigrants, except one: freedom." The one that works is the only one you need.
That was probably his best line. I think his closing theme, "I shook the hand of the American dream. And it has a strong grip" . . . may not play as well.
Nathan Wurtzel: "I patted the shoulder of the American Dream and told it to keep up the good work."
Michael Blum: "The French dream always kisses me on both cheeks."
Kirsten Powers (whose cab I nearly accidentally stole): "What about jazz hands?"
It is an unfortunate that CNN and MSNBC talked over so many of the GOP's big names, but I don't think anybody who actually wants to see the speeches would tune in to those channels. This is what C-SPAN is for.
I thought senator-elect (I mean, come on) Ted Cruz was . . . okay. He went without a podium, and his delivery wasn't bad, but beyond the Texas delegation, the crowd didn't seem to be as into it as he wanted. Cruz has an enormous future in politics ahead of him, but tonight was . . . just pretty good, not blowing the doors off the place.
Former Democratic congressman Artur Davis of Alabama, one of Obama's 2008 campaign co-chairs, was one of the breakout stars of Tuesday night. His remarks had one good line after another.
Discussing Romney:
He doesn't confuse the presidency with celebrity, or loftiness with leadership. The Democrats' negative ads do convince me that Mitt Romney can't sing, but his record convinced me that he knows how to lead, and you know which skill we need more.
Then he made the pitch directly:
To those Democrats and independents whose minds are open to argument: listen closely to the Democratic party that will gather in Charlotte and ask yourself if you ever hear your voice in the clamor.
Ask yourself if these Democrats still speak for you.
When they say we have a duty to grow government even when we can't afford it, does it sound like compassion to you -- or recklessness?
When you hear the party that glorified Occupy Wall Street blast success, when you hear them minimize the genius of the men and women who make jobs out of nothing, is that what you teach your children about work?
When they tell you America is this unequal place where the powerful trample on the powerless, does that sound like the country your children or your spouse risked their lives for in Iraq or Afghanistan?
Do you even recognize the America they are talking about? And what can we say about a house that doesn't honor the pictures on its walls?
John F. Kennedy asked us what we could do for America. This Democratic party asks what can government give you. Don't worry about paying the bill; it's on your kids and grandkids.
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