Maverick 2.0
September 4th, 2008 at 11:02 am
The Republican National Convention may be the place where John McCain officially accepts his party’s nomination. But it’s Sarah Palin’s show.
She dazzled the crowd at the Xcel Center Wednesday night, which had been subdued during the first two evenings. Palin generated excitement with her digs at the Democratic ticket. “A small-town mayor is sort of like a community organizer, except that you have actual responsibilities,” she said. A small group of elderly women in the Kansas delegation started chanting “Yes, We Can,” when Palin talked about shattering the glass ceiling.
She didn’t say anything that we haven’t heard before from Republicans. She criticized the media and Washington elites, made Democrats out to be soft on terrorism, and spoke romantically of her small-town roots. She got two Obamas with one quip when she said that people in small towns “are always proud of America.” She made herself seem oh so normal.
But not everyone goes from the PTA to the Governor’s mansion. What’s new about Palin is the packaging. She’s giving the GOP and McCain a chance to re-brand: Maverick 2.0.
The Christian conservatives are thrilled about her and will probably motivate their base to get out the vote. Fiscal conservatives are happy. (Grover Norquist of Americans for Tax Reform calls her “a solid Reagan Republican.”) And she might manage to rouse young people inside and outside the party.
Trey Stinnett, the youngest delegate in the Texas delegation, was “ecstatic” after Palin’s speech. “I think Sarah absolutely rocked the house,” he said. He was wearing a cowboy hat that had “Palin is hot” scribbled in a black marker on the top.
His girlfriend, 21- year-old Paula Stang (and alternate delegate) called Palin “refreshing.”
“There’s a palpable feeling of ‘we can do this,’ ” former Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael Steele said after Palin’s performance. “Folks in the party are now ready to win this race.”
September 7th, 2008 at 11:04 pm
You are right. It was Sarah Palin’s show.
McCain only picked her to court a variety of demographics: taxpayer advocates, accountable government reformists, women, gun owners, home school advocates, pro-lifers…and those other lepers in the GOP–the dreaded “Ron Paul” supporters. But what he didn’t bargain for was that she would steal his show. He just made “the next Reagan” possible–and it’s not him.
Here’s to TWELVE years of Sarah Palin!
October 28th, 2008 at 8:16 pm
Home schooled Nurses and soon to be lawyers are hardly what I would call “other lepers.” Those are my home schooled children. Our public schools are a joke. No matter if we have 12 years of Palin or Obama, we will have those who fear and degrade those who have different opinions. Those who boast tolerance are often the most intolerant. This is still a somewhat free country.