For decades, the Republicans have campaigned not on their strengths, but on their opponents’ faults. It’s as if the old Republican book of political strategy says, “You don’t win elections by making yourself look good, you win elections by making the other guy look worse.” It’s a strategy of misdirection and hate.
At last night’s GOP convention, newcomer Sarah Palin demonstrated that it’s business as usual for the Republicans.
Here was her first opportunity to address the bothersome stories of the Labor Day weekend and introduce herself to America. For most Americans inside the continental United States, the convention was their first look at Sarah Palin.
What did she do with her first time on the national stage? She ripped Senator Obama apart. After describing herself as “… a pit bull,” she launched into attack mode:
“This is a man who can give an entire speech about the wars America is fighting and never use the word ‘victory’ except when he’s talking about his own campaign,” she said.
She slammed Obama for “…saying one thing in Scranton and another in San Francisco,” argued that he had written two memoirs but never authored a major piece of legislation and asked what he would do “…when those Styrofoam Greek columns are hauled back to some studio lot,” a reference to the stage where Obama gave his acceptance speech last week.
It’s very disappointng. She’s a veritable unknown, the first woman on a GOP Presidential ticket and only 44 years old. But in every other way, she’s no different the rest.
What’s this Dave? A political blog post? I’m both surprised and impressed (thankfully not confused and aroused).
You’re right of course, she is more of the same. It’s becoming clear that the choice of Palin has served to rally the conservative base to McCain’s side. Many on the GOP side hated McCain for years prior to this election because of his so-called “maverick” status. Palin’s job is to get those red-blooded, die-hard Republicans on board the McCain campaign bus.
The problem is this election won’t be won by those very same conservatives. No, this election will be decided by the middle of the road independentswho for the last year have started to lean towards Obama. I’ve already read several analysis that these “on the fence” people are not being done any favors by the Palin pick.
When she uses phrases like “God’s will” to describe why she supported an oil pipeline going through her state, it turns those moderates off. I only hope (and ironically pray) that people are bright enough to figure this out before November. I have hope in change, but fear and lies has always served so well in the past.
“Pretty hate machine.” That’s a perfect euphemism for her. NIN FTW!