Republican National Convention - Summary

A key line in McCain's speech last night that explains his alliance with the Christian right...
"I will reach out my hand to anyone to get this country moving again."

McCain has core beliefs he's willing to sacrifice other positions for. I think his core beliefs are responsible government spending, and spreading American military might. That's my guess based on this convention. Everything else is expendable. And that's where he loses me. He's willing to give up too much in order to serve his pet causes.

To be more honest, he never had me so he couldn't have lost me. But I remember in 2000 when people were supporting McCain, I could accept that - I understood given the context of the times. After the last 8 years, though, I don't think there's any reason good enough to vote for McCain.

So, my summary of the Republican Convention:

Not quite as well organized as the Democratic convention. I'll give them some leeway for hurricane Gustav. It was obvious pandering and showboating to modify the schedule on Monday, but in truth, they were damned if they do and damned if they don't.

I think their teleprompter situation was really distracting. Did they have the left and right ones too far apart? Did someone backstage advise the speakers to read a sentence from the left, turn, read a sentence from the right, turn, read a sentence from the left, etc?

The big theme they wanted me to understand: John McCain was a POW and if he can survive that he can do anything. And he's a Maverick (though he and I might have different definitions of maverick).

The Republican Party, to me, seems the most partisan. The crowd is mean-spirited and likes to laugh at other people.