The Detroit Free Press put together a panel of voters to listen to last night's Republican convention speeches and, much as I predicted last night, the independents were universally negative on Palin. In fact, they were more negative than the Democratic voters. The speech was clearly designed to help close the "enthusiasm gap" that has dogged the McCain campaign all summer.
Other interesting commentary:
Howard Wolfson: "What I was particularly impressed with was her ability to stick the
knife into Barack Obama with a smile and do it effectively. She was
very, very good... That shot at the end with she and her family on stage cradling the baby
is priceless. You can't buy that kind of imagery. She did a very, very
good job. I agree Democrats have reason to be concerned. Nobody should
underestimate this woman's political ability, to go on stage in a hall
like this, give a speech like this for the first time ever, quite
impressive."
Ezra Klein: "As delivered, the speech was effective as theater but curiously hollow
as an enduring campaign argument: It contained the seeds of a medal
ceremony for McCain, and marked Palin as a politician to watch, but it
said nothing about the presidency she hopes to be part of."
James Fallows: "Sarah Palin, at least tonight, did not seem interested in bringing
anyone new into the fold. A speech that was great in the convention
hall. We'll see how it affects the electoral lineup."
Jonathan Martin: "She wasn't quite the surprise that Barack Obama was in 2004, when his star was born at the Democratic convention in Boston. But, like Obama then, delegates left the building and Republicans at
home headed to bed with unforgettable images of a fresh face and new
force to be reckoned on the national political scene etched in their
minds."
Bill Kristol: "Now we see why the liberal establishment has been trying for the last
few days to destroy Sarah Palin. She is a threat to their hopes to take
the White House this year, a threat to their broader claims to speak
for youth, for women, and for the future, and a threat to their attempt
to control the high ground in the culture war. After her stunning
success last night, some in the liberal media may retire from the ring
for a while. Others, with the threat now even more evident, may
redouble their assaults and become even more desperate and vicious.
Surely they'll fail."
September 4, 2008
PREMIUM BLOG AD
BLOG ADS
GOOGLE ADS
The largest collection of political memorabilia in one place.
The largest collection of political memorabilia in one place.
