Live Blogging the McCain Speech
By Al Giordano
Okay, here goes. Help me blog this thing!
(And how did John McCain ever get the rights to use this song? That's just an un-American sacrilege! Must be a St. Louis Anheuser Busch thang.)
Update 9:07 p.m.: Another slide show. The two-dimensional nature of these GOP convention videos is so yesterday. Oh wait. It does have a few snippets of actual moving characters. But, like, any of those people ever hear of YouTube?
9:13 p.m.: "Barack Obama never had a daddy who would carpet bomb him." (And is that Fred Thompson's voice reading the "poem" at the end of the video? Okay. There he is. Poking around the stage to find the Braille teleprompter...
9:16 p.m.: This can't be happening. They're using the lime green jello background again! (Where is Katie Halper?)
9:32 p.m.: I've now read the entire speech, shrugged my shoulders, and said, "Al, you should watch it. Maybe the delivery is better than the text?" But it's not. This is a really B-list speech. I don't think it works with swing voters, not the suburban soccer moms nor the Nascar dads. It's really quite feeble. It's like he has something to prove and keeps falling back on his resume. "I fought for Indian tribes." What? I fight for this, I fight for that. Huh? I bet that Mark Halperin grades this speech B-. And it will hurt him to have to do so. But maybe McCain will rally in the brief "talk show" segment? Or is that even going to happen. He's barely halfway through his prepared remarks!
9:36 p.m.: I remember this convention. Both of them. It's 1980 and McCain is Jimmy Carter and Obama's speech was Ronald Reagan. Just sayin'.
9:45 p.m.: This is so happily terrible. "My friends, we'll drill them now, we'll drill them now!" Should be an interesting night in St. Paul as they haul in the big oil equipment and open up a hole in the city. Worst. Acceptance. Speech. Evah!
9:50 p.m. I can imagine Halperin, pen in hand, thinking "if I'm going to be honest this is going to be a C grade... Maybe I should give him a C+!" And Chuck Todd is thinking, "I better not grade this speech!"
9:52 p.m.: I'm just waiting for 9:56 to chant "Four more minutes! Four more minutes!" People really do watch these things thinking, "can I really listen to this guy for four years?" Jeebus. "I have my record and the scars to prove it. Senator Obama does not." And by that you mean, Senator? And? (Halperin is thinking that if he were a real journalist this would be a D grade.)
9:56 p.m.: Four more minutes! Four more minutes!
10:00 p.m.: Remember the term "catharsis" as applied to the Democratic convention? This is a "catharsis of one." Rare, when the losing team starts running out the clock. Never seen that before. Chicago must be ecstatic right about now.
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That music
Submitted on September 4th, 2008 by Okke OrnsteinIsn't that based on the Dallas theme?
POW POW POW
Submitted on September 4th, 2008 by Christi DemuthGeebus, this is so very old, just like McSame old!
Well, Annheiser Busch is selling out to the Belgians
Submitted on September 4th, 2008 by Laura DewBut I can't imagine Chuck is a big McCain fan.
This is boring
Submitted on September 4th, 2008 by sdbos (not verified)Is this seriously what they're going with?
I'm not appalled yet. Just completely bored. Whereas last night was a combination of both
Al, Cindy McCain was simply creepy and hilarious.
Submitted on September 4th, 2008 by Steven HuntThis is too good.
Pow, father, a son, a husband.
No wonder McCain's effed up--his own dad tried to carpet bomb him when he was prisoner of the Vietnamese.
Still wondering
Submitted on September 4th, 2008 by Laura Dewif there's going to be blowback on the 9/11 video. That was an outside shot.
"mama's boy
Submitted on September 4th, 2008 by kurt (not verified)* OMG WTF why did that ghost lean into the camera and shout "mama's boy".
* he'd stand for hours gazing at the... wait he carpet bombed his son?
* highlighting the military background of your family may not be a great idea in an age where people are tired of a pointless war.
* don't use the phrase, "in prison i fell in love..."
Anyway, the "war mongering" meme is getting big play here, and the dastardly music soundtrack is horrid. This whole thing screams "warlike" which doesn't help with the "temperment" meme...
The compelling story
Submitted on September 4th, 2008 by Okke OrnsteinOf how McCain survived Guantanamo.
Al, sorry but I cannot help
Submitted on September 4th, 2008 by Anya (not verified)And how it was that John McCain made his way
Submitted on September 4th, 2008 by Susan Kitchensthrough Enhanced Interrogation
Diversity
Submitted on September 4th, 2008 by James HaygoodI love how the vids are always loaded with brown faces - but the audience? Not so much...
This is the honest truth...
Submitted on September 4th, 2008 by Joshua~ (not verified)When I started the C-Span live feed on my computer a few minutes ago, the part of the intro video was playing that had the guy reading the book, and for the first minute and a half I thought the video was stuck, and I was about to reload the feed, but it panned back to a McCain photo and I realized it was indeed playing! Could they have gotten a more boring guy to read that?
Change will come. SFX: Jets
Submitted on September 4th, 2008 by Susan KitchensOkay, he's seeking to be our next commander in chief.
Lots of war planes. Is this an air show?
I can see his aura
Submitted on September 4th, 2008 by Bill ConroyI can see his auroa
Old Grandpa Fred
Submitted on September 4th, 2008 by Christi Demuthis intro voice. Man, he is stiff.
No need for blogging--here
Submitted on September 4th, 2008 by twinkee1999 (not verified)No need for blogging--here it is: POW POW POW POW POW POW POW Iraq POW.
NPR says it's almost religious
Submitted on September 4th, 2008 by Susan Kitchenswell, "religious symbolism"
I don't know what to say
Submitted on September 4th, 2008 by Anonymous (not verified)is the stage phallic or a middle finger? please advise
Submitted on September 4th, 2008 by kurt (not verified)my wife noted that none of cindy's "laugh lines" connected. i think setting her up as the alcohol peddling young lady who seduced a man 20 years her senior away while lying about her age" may not have played well in this "pro Palin" crowd.
I'm curious to see if this *is* his party or not.
A true heroe
Submitted on September 4th, 2008 by Okke OrnsteinToo bad it doesn't mention how Bush at that time heroically defended Houston against Vietcong attacks.
A GREEN Screen!?!?!?!?
Submitted on September 4th, 2008 by Pamela Hilliard...OMG!!
waterprise2 AKA Pam
Liberal with a Capital L!
Yes we can!
Submitted on September 4th, 2008 by Okke OrnsteinGreen Background!
Chuck Berry
Submitted on September 4th, 2008 by Lisa, New York (not verified)Back in the 80's, when I was a sprite young thing, I spent New Year's Eve at the Limelight in NYC and Chuck Berry was playing. When he was about to start Johnny Be Good, he said, "I want 4 boys and 4 girls to come up here and dance with us..." Uh, huh. I did. It was great! Will resist any association of that song with Mr. McMansion.
LOL-Pam
Submitted on September 4th, 2008 by Christi DemuthA green screen again, he looks really orange.
protesters
Submitted on September 4th, 2008 by James Haygoodsign up in the cheap seats - cutting to it several times
"you can't win an occupation" & "McCain votes against vets"
Invasion of the Democrats!
Submitted on September 4th, 2008 by Pamela Hilliard...Did you see the sign: You can't win an occupation?!?!? and McCain votes against vets!?!?!?
waterprise2 AKA Pam
Liberal with a Capital L!
Did anyone see that banner:
Submitted on September 4th, 2008 by Bill ConroyDid anyone see that banner: "You can't win an occupation."
It flew by, was wondering it I really saw it.
Attack,Attack
Submitted on September 4th, 2008 by Christi Demuthfundraising
Submitted on September 4th, 2008 by oona (not verified)green screen ftw
Submitted on September 4th, 2008 by kurt (not verified)republicans being portested at their own party. vets against the war... occupation isn't victory (?). interesting. I don't think it registered but it gave me hope.
Wow... harassed at your own convention.
And still he goes with the green screen.
Protestors
Submitted on September 4th, 2008 by Mike Tracey (not verified)I hope they make a fuss!
I loved the
Submitted on September 4th, 2008 by Joshua~ (not verified)"McCain Votes Against Vets" Sign that guy was holding! As a veteran myself, I couldn't agree more.
I saw it!
Submitted on September 4th, 2008 by Christi DemuthIs that why...
Submitted on September 4th, 2008 by Pamela Hilliard...you can't keep your eyes off Sarah's ....?!?!?!?
First Lady Cindy...in your dreams!
waterprise2 AKA Pam
Liberal with a Capital L!
He's fighting for the little
Submitted on September 4th, 2008 by Bill ConroyHe's fighting for the little guys, a list he's reading from a teleprompter. Wonder if he's really met them?
Crowd chants
Submitted on September 4th, 2008 by Dona HickeyI can never make out what they're cheering. Last night, it sounded like Seig Heil! Now, All about fighting, war, prison, country first, attacks, dark days, "USA! USA!" "Oh How Lame" or is it "John McCain"? ZZZZZZzzzzzzzz. Flashback: Cindy mentioned MOther Theresa in her speech. Wasn't Mother Theresa a community organizer?
Love it!
Submitted on September 4th, 2008 by Kim (not verified)Okke, I know!
How stupid are they with the green background again!
Oh lord...Cindy, you're the light of my life...sorry about that awful thing I called you.
Green?
Submitted on September 4th, 2008 by Susan KitchensOkay, people, step it up with the comments. I'm gonna stand down on my comment pace....
Can see Ustream screen on google news news: http://news.google.com/?ned=us&topic=el
Country first
Submitted on September 4th, 2008 by Okke OrnsteinThese clowns can't even keep their own convention secure?
He goes for the Hamas background again!
Submitted on September 4th, 2008 by David B. BrionesI knew he would go back to the Hamas green!
Show your true colors, McCain!
truly sad
Submitted on September 4th, 2008 by kurt (not verified)Meg Ryan also wants her smirk back.
McCain is *pissed* about the vets there (as he should be).
Gracious shout out to Obama
Submitted on September 4th, 2008 by Susan KitchensWe are all Americans. (yes, i saw your speech last week).
Guess last night didn't happen, eh?
Changing colors!
Submitted on September 4th, 2008 by Christi Demuthnow blue screen, too funny.
Amber
Submitted on September 4th, 2008 by Pamela Hilliard...waves of grain?
He respects Obama...NOW he's an American? Yeah right...
Gag me with a spoon!
Guess he couldn't stand Obama staying above the fray...
You're gonna win? In your dreams!
Too many community organizers for Obama!
waterprise2 AKA Pam
Liberal with a Capital L!
Were they shouting "Yes we
Submitted on September 4th, 2008 by Karen DesmondWere they shouting "Yes we can"?
KD
About the music
Submitted on September 4th, 2008 by JLW (not verified)McCain has made it a habit to not even bother to ask for the rights to use copyrighted materials.
Another protester snuck in
Submitted on September 4th, 2008 by Bill ConroyAnother protester snuck in ... is this good or bad. Or is she a plant?
He gets to look good; makes
Submitted on September 4th, 2008 by Bill ConroyHe gets to look good; makes the left look like cooks. Have to wonder
OMG
Submitted on September 4th, 2008 by James HaygoodCode pinkers it looks like...
Wow!
Submitted on September 4th, 2008 by Christi Demuth