RNC: Night One

I felt like the first night of the RNC went pretty well. McCain and Gulianni are both very popular figures across the isle right now and that seemed smart. They're both also good speakers who can appeal to the crowd. I'd say it was a much more lively and optimistic first night then the DNC featured a month ago. McCain did a better job explaining Iraq than the President has in almost two years and the former mayor has authority to speak about 9/11.



But, I hope that they move on now that we've heard it. If this convention continues to be about Iraq and 9/11 then it will reflect the wrong message. The President has done a lot of good things during the past four years but he's also made some serious mistakes and left some important issues out. The rest of the convention now needs to be about what the President will do in the next four years. He can't spend his entire time thinking about the past. We need bold leadership that will take us through the next four years and that's what the President needs to convince us of.



I was a bit surprised by how quickly the Republicans came out swinging. Compared to the soft image the Democrats tried to portray, the President has clearly not ordered a light handed approach in dealing with the other party. McCain mostly avoided mentioning Kerry but his one jab at Moore made up for everything he didn't say about the lunatic left. The mayor wasn't nearly so subtle and his comments were sharp and biting towards Kerry. He is one of the few politicians who might actually be able to get away with making fun of John Kerry and getting away with it. People expect that out of a New Yorker and he certainly fits the bill. It will be interesting to see if the onslaught continues and what direction the convention will take in the coming nights.