9/01/2004 02:34:19 PM|||Nathan Moore|||

The second night of the convention was absolutely sterling.

Governor Schwarzenegger's speech was nearly perfect. The tone was confident and the delivery was commanding. And most importantly, it was a positive speech shown on the networks at prime time.

Anyone who can say "economic gurly men" and make it effective is to be reckoned with. The Republican Party has a message that the Democrats and Kerry's camp can only dream of delivering. As Michael Steele, the Lieutenant Governor of Maryland said about Barack Obama's speech - "it was a well-crafted Republican speech." The truth for the Dems is depressing, not only for its effect on the party but for what Democratic success would mean to the nation.

Those who believe the country is some how near the the point of destruction because of Bush's first term are, to put it mildly, out of step with the American people. Saucing it up, they are either historically ignorant in mammoth proportions or are under the false assumption that condescending arguments win elections. The picture of America that John Kerry and Edwards paint is not one most of the electorate recognizes. As Giuliani stated, Steele reiterated, and Schwarzenegger confirmed, there are not two Americas. There is one America, divided not by class, but by belief. A rabid 30% of our nation is fueled by what can only be called an irrational hatred, who believe that power is worth having for the sake of power, and that Bush should be kicked out of office for a whole host of spurious reasons that only a madman could conjure up and the blindingly hateful could believe.

The Republican convention is well on its way to being a success. A bounce will result. George W. Bush does not need to be defined - that's already been done. Instead, the convention is working to hone the message of an already concrete figure. Unlike John Kerry, there is nothing ephemeral about what constitutes George W. Bush the statesman. The facts are there, and the reasons are compelling. Leadership means more than poll watchin. Even a wholesale liquidation of Kerry's campaign team (which is not far in the offing) won't undo the damage of uber politicization that has characterized the Kerry candidacy.

Round Three begins in a few hours.

Let's roll.

|||109406833971710245|||What a Night