For Republicans, A Different Kind Of Party

CBSNews.com Analysis: As Everyone Awaits Palin’s Emergence, McCain Shows His Convention Will Be Somewhat Unconventional

(CBS)  This analysis was written by CBSNews.com senior political editor Vaughn Ververs.

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Following a shortened session Monday due to the possible impact of Hurricane Gustav, the Republican National Convention got back to a more traditional schedule Tuesday with a slate of prime-time speakers and a return to the business at hand - nominating John McCain. The message of the day was designed to be about defining and re-introducing the candidate but the attention was focused on who was not in St. Paul - or at least not very visibly.

Since being unveiled as perhaps the biggest political surprise in recent history last Friday, Republicans - especially the party activists gathered here at the Xcel Center - have been chattering about Sarah Palin and little else. And the news media is not far behind in the curiosity category. But since her short speech Friday and a couple of joint appearances with McCain over the weekend, Palin remains a mystery, hidden from public view.

After two days of reports and revelations shook the convention - among them her daughter’s pregnancy, her husband’s arrest and examinations of her record that turned up evidence counter to her ethics-busting, earmark loathing rhetoric -- and opened up questions of whether the McCain campaign thoroughly vetted the candidate, the campaign and its surrogates hit back. Indeed, they said, they had vetted Palin well, telling CBS News they were well aware of what has been reported on since her selection.

The campaign blamed an overactive media and Democratic opponents for circulating and embellishing the importance of such stories. Former Tennessee Senator Fred Thompson alluded to that sentiment in his speech to the convention Tuesday, saying, “let's be clear, the selection of Governor Palin has the other side and their friends in the media in a state of panic. She is a courageous, successful, reformer, who is not afraid to take on the establishment.”

Still, the woman at the center of the chatter remained sequestered Tuesday, presumably behind closed doors working on an acceptance speech that is expected to be delivered Wednesday night. This week Palin cancelled two appearances she had scheduled (although it’s important to note that both had been set up before she was selected).

The void was filled with stories and media discussion about the vetting process, about the revelations, and about the strategy and wisdom of McCain’s choice - probably not what the campaign had hoped would dominate the first two days of their convention.

For the Republican Party, it was who was most visible - and who was not - that indicated that this is going to be a very different campaign than they are used to. President Bush, who was supposed to be a featured speaker on Monday night, addressed the convention by satellite before the networks broke into their schedules for coverage (although his remarks were replayed when they broke in). Still, spotlighted Tuesday were Thompson and Connecticut Senator Joe Lieberman, the Democratic vice presidential candidate from 2000.

For a night designed to reinforce McCain’s personal and political story, having two good friends carry the load is understandable. But Rudy Giuliani is believed to be in line for a prime slot as well this week, meaning that the most emphasized voices at the convention will be the candidate, the running mate and three men known more for their relationships with McCain than their place in the traditional Republican Party.

This is McCain’s convention, and it’s interesting to see how he’s presenting the party he now leads. Whereas Barack Obama featured primary opponent Hillary Clinton, former President Bill Clinton, party legend Ted Kennedy and up-and-comers like Mark Warner, there are no major roles for Republican Party regulars in St. Paul.

The reasons are obvious to anyone paying attention to this campaign. John McCain is not running as a party regular, he’s running as John McCain. Everything about his message is pointing that way. The over-riding theme to this convention is his slogan, “Country First.” The speakers are there to reinforce that - people like Thompson, a conservative who never seemed comfortable within the corridors of power; Lieberman, a Democrat-turned Independent who is one of McCain’s best friends (and who the candidate seriously considered as a running mate); and Giuliani, a crime-fighting, national-security focused mayor who on other issues is a poor fit for the party.

Although there was plenty of red meat for the delegates to devour, especially from Thompson, there were also moments that would have been unthinkable in past GOP conventions. In contrasting Obama with McCain, Lieberman claimed that the Democratic candidate had not walked the talk he gives on the campaign trail. “Contrast that to John McCain's record,” Lieberman said. “Or the record of the last Democratic President, Bill Clinton, who stood up to some of those same Democratic interest groups and worked with Republicans to get important things done like welfare reform, free trade agreements, and a balanced budget.” It’s almost certainly the first time Bill Clinton was favorably referenced at a Republican convention.

Of course, a key part of this presentation is Palin, who was perhaps chosen as much for her outsider status and maverick reputation as for her appeal to women. As a primary focus for this convention, it’s Palin who will play perhaps the most pivotal role in St. Paul. And when she does give that acceptance speech, all eyes will be on her.

[missglo]

If MCcain is running for the Country. Then why at the GOP Convention. We saw No diversty in the crowd. What Country is he from?

[Torilin]

What Country is he from?


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Posted by missglo
That would be United Colonies of 13 states where "we the people" are rich white male property owners who represent all American not including the slaves.

[Torilin]

What Country is he from?


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Posted by missglo
That would be United Colonies of 13 states where "we the people" are rich white male property owners who represent all American not including the slaves.

[brianp55]

I watched a few minutes of the Republican convention tonight. They have a President who is so universally reviled that they wouldn''t allow him to appear live at the convention and asked his wife to speak instead. But what really caught my attention was the enthusiasm and energy level of the attendees. This reminds me of an Elks convention. The Republicans appear to know they are going to get hammered in November and are just going through the motions.

[jsilver2th]

Levi Johnston''s My Space page is now down so you''''ll have to find it elsewhere...

After you read that tell me you would trust a person in the White House that would marry their daughter off to that mental midget with a mouth like that on the internet, pregnant or not...

And they are bringing him to the GOP convention! Wow!

Just a nice sweet family--- what a howl!

[cfin5]

Governor Palin reminds me of an old school principal that my father occasionally mentions from his youth. A woman of about 5ft. nothing, stern as cider vinegar in the discipline department, and twice as sharp in her whits,......her eyes were your first warning in case you felt like cussing for ANYTHING. One eye to eye look from her and everyone seemed to lose their appetite for social vice,.....even me. I know this to be true because this woman offered for me and my new wife to stay at her house to watch over while she went (drove) to Florida every winter. That worked out perfect as my wife and I were still doing some remodeling on our house......It''s way past time for someone to grab a "POLITICAL PEACH SWITCH" (peach as in cute) and assault Washington DC with it. Spare no party! You know, in a way Governor Palin reminds me of the Biblical story of DEBORAH, a judge in Israel (Judges chapter 4), had to do the manly job of saving Israel since "BARAK" the military commander was too scared to do it,.....HOW IRONIC!

[tmittelstaed]

Nobody trusts a traitor and nobody outside of the Right Wing Deep end cares what Lieberman has to say. And as for McCain vetting Palin that is a joke. If they had, they would have had Levi and Mercede Johnston take down their MySpace pages (which were filled with pictures and text, one including Sara Palin, that conclusively identified Bristol''s boyfriend) BEFORE the VP pick announcement and before
the bloggers and news media downloaded them. They also would have prevented Sara Palin from calling into a local Alaska talk radio show right after the announcement and mentioning that the call from McCain was the first time she had heard of a possible VP choice.
Frankly, the Republican convention is a complete waste of time. At this point everyone knows the real race is between Barak Obama and Sara Palin. McCain will surely kick the bucket as soon as he makes it into office, and Palin will end up being President. What the country wants is to see them going at each other.

[n8yvn29]

Now we find out that Palin was a BOOK-BANNER! According to Ann Kilkenny, a Democrat who said she attended every City Council meeting in Ms. Palin%u2019s first year in office, Ms. Palin brought up the idea of banning some books (from the local library) at one meeting. %u201CThey were somehow morally or socially objectionable to her.%u201D Folks, what are we letting ourselves in for when we consider a book-burner for the vice-president of the U.S.? Many people think that Bush is reactionary, but Palin shows even less respect for our Constitution!

[cfin5]

Posted by n8yvn29 at 05:33 AM : Sep 03, 2008---- I have seen some of these so called "educational" books in Libraries where under aged children were definitely getting an education in filth. I don''t think that kids need to be seeing the "how to...." in fornication. Folks like you only tout the Constitution and Bill of Rights when the moral laws of public decency threaten your own lack of self restraint. Other than that, neolibs/neocons constantly through the incrementation of Bureaucratic sleuth in "allegorical" interpretations of the Bill of Rights are destroying our Founding Fathers wisdom. Read and understand the 9th. Amendment since you say you like the Constitution. It says.....The enumeration in the Constitution of certain (guaranteed) rights shall not be construed (misinterpreted) to deny (confiscate) or disparage (belittle) others retained (practiced) by the people.... - parenthesis mine. The countries framers very clearly meant their words of law to be taken literally, not allegorically.

[andylance1]

Let the fun begin. We have a new Republican Party... and the Obama poison keyboard brigade is already calling Senator Lieberman of Connecticut Traitor Joe.

Governor Palin is receiving the same treatment as Jimmy Stewart did in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington - about an idealist who fights political corruption within his state''s political machine, and guards American values as a moral hero.

[babooph]

Barak & John are great guys-John is stuck with a terrible platform,but ,IF HE LIVES,is a good enough person to do well.

[ariel133]

YES! Both men, Lieberman and Thompson Rocked! Excellent speeches! A''Unity of Country" not ''party'' is the key note! Thank you gentlemen for your heartfelt, sincerity, and hopefully inspiring words for those who did not get what it means to be an American!

[sickofit08]

The party is changing alright.. to a bunch of ultra-right-wing extremist bible-thumping wack jobs. It''s like our very own America version of the Taliban. As a life-long Republican, I''m ashamed I ever supported this party. Here''s hoping they go down in flames in 08.

[jmurrieta1]

"McCain Shows His Convention Will Be Somewhat Unconventional"


Bull. It''s run by the same puppeteers who controlled George Bush. And it''s the same aging white men with their fat faces at the convention. It''s the same propaganda lines. And it''s the same favoring of the billionaire class at the expense of the American taxpayer.

In other words: Republicans = Same Old Sheeyit!

[misha128-2009]

Heard considerable Praise for McCain last night for converting the first day of the convention to hurrican relief, certainly a noble cause. However, hear we are 24 hours after the noble event and no report how much was collected or what was done? Was this merely a rebranding effort to make the parties on Monday politically acceptable or was some real relief work done and contributions received? Where''s the moose? This seems like many items in the McCain campaign where McCain promises to get back to us or to do something; which becomes an excuse for not answering a question or actually following though. Senator McCain you announced a day of fund raising for relief efforts in New Orleans, we have heard estimates of billions of dollars in damage there? What do you, hour campaign and your party have to show for the one day''s worth of efforts you so vocally and prominently claim without announcing the results of your efforts? Once again sir, where is the moose?

[anya721]

I just find these guys so STALE. No new ideas to help America, and America needs help! They want to preserve their power and theyve had 8 years. Are we any better off? They gave Bush 6 minutes and yet McCain votes with him 90% of the time.
EMbarrassed with their own record.

[trrrorislamc]

BOUNCE HUSSEIN BOUNCE

hahaha

McCain/Palin at 47%, compared to 45% support for Obama/Biden.

http://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2071565/posts

[jmurrieta1]

Republicans:

"George who?"

"Dik who?"

Like these Right Wingers haven''t stuck the USA with 8 years of mindless, incompetent, evil malfeasants in the White House.

The American Sheeple may be easily manipulated by slick TV ads paid for by Bushit''s Billionaires.

But, as Lincoln observed, you can''t fool all of the people, all of the time.

The Repugs seem to have forgotten this lesson from a founder of their party. Back when it meant something besides larceny, warmongering, and pandering to religious extremists.

[smurfcrusher]

Same lies as always. Barack Obama did work across the aisle on issues, although if I were him I''d be holding my nose.

That Fred Thompson says Palin''s selection has Democrats in a panic is hysterical! It''s the biggest gift they could possibly have imagined, from the Republicans.

Well they chose a maverick all right - she was member of a fringe party that wanted Alaska to succeed from the United States.

I don''t think most Americans share her vision of a country with 49 states.

Country first? Try vetting your candidate for VP first ! We don''t need some bambi a heartbeat away from the presidency.

[carlylaine]

SMURFY...Keep laughing...you''ll at least have the practice in before you have to CHANGE your underwear...because that''s what the "Winds of Change" means...

[jtdev1]

"For Republicans, A Different Kind Of Party"

So what does this mean? No more Freaky *** Parties???

No more Toe Tapping? Page Texting?

[jtdev1]

If we are to teach creationism in science class, I propose that we also teach that the stork brings babies in biology class.


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Posted by johndevinejr



Amen to that!

[gop_forever]

peterp111, I will vote for McCain. I want to see the US dollar become absolutely worthless so we pay $50 a gallon for gas. Unintended consequences make me happy.

[sean5002]

***************

GOP = growing - old - party.
GOP = grave - only - party

zzzzzzzzzz.. ''who is on mic? oh its only traitor joe .. oh well !! back to sleep zzzzzzzzzzz...(#+#).

[liberalme]

If I had my way there''''d be classes in schools that taught faiths from every corner of the world. And it taught them like they were all true. So that people can understand the importance of diplomacy in a foreign land. And the human commonality between us all, not being angels or demons.

Posted by donnie248

You are so right donnie---there are many reasons God made us all so different and it wasn''t to teach us hate and bigotry!

[jonsid2]

I think the McCain campaign needs a new slogan: Country First - Family second.

[briannorwood]

What struck me about last night''s convention visuals was how old and tired the GOP looks.

All you saw were old, white men and women. All the speakers were old, white men.

It is a striking comparison to the Democratic convention.

[misha128-2009]

Where''s the moose? The Republicans spent a day raising money for Gustav -- let''s hear some crowing -- what were the results?

Posted by misha128 at 09:01 AM

[misha128-2009]

I think the McCain campaign needs a new slogan: Country First - Family second.

Posted by jonsid2 at 08:57 AM

I suggest Campaign First.

[sean5002]

***************

If you dont vote for Republican the terrorist will hide under your bed .

why did americans fall for this in the past 2 elections . For a nation that claim to be tough we sure fall easy for FEAR.

[miles1967-2009]

The issue for me is not whether she can be VP and raise children. The issue for me is the fact that she has been Governor for less than 2 years, and before that mayor of a VERY small town in Alaska, a newscaster, and a beauty pagaent contestant. Also, Palin:

Believes that creationism should be taught in schools, not evolution;
Believes that women shouldn''t have the right to choose; even in cases of rape and incest or severe medical indications;
Believes that citizens should have the right to bear AK-47s;
Believes only in abstinence education; despite the fact that her daughters have been having unprotected ***;
Has only been out of the country once in her life and that was just last year;
Was mayor of a small town with fewer than 6000 residents with a budget of less than 12 million a year and fewer than 50 city hall employees;
Is governor of a state that is closer to Russia than to Florida;
Was part of a group that wanted Alaska to succeed from the Union;
And, this woman will be our next vice president and possibly our president.

No Way!!!!

[shingles1]

Man, Bush looks like cr*p.

[barryisdun]

Man, Bush looks like cr*p.

Posted by shingles1 at 09:08 AM : Sep 03, 2008

Obama looks more like cr*p than Bush.

[shayjo-2009]

What struck me about last night''''s convention visuals was how old and tired the GOP looks. All you saw were old, white men and women. All the speakers were old, white men.It is a striking comparison to the Democratic convention.

Posted by briannorwood at 09:00 AM : Sep 03, 2008

Hi Briannnorwood,

I couldn''t agree more. I was struck by the same sad picture. And in addition to that, their auditorium was not full at all. It is amazing. No NRG at all.

[blamegovt]

Failed policies for eight years and now the Republicans would like my vote? LMAO. What a pathetic group of old people.

[xmanborg]

Joseph Lieberman and his Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Hahahahahahahahahaha

What an OLD GOAT just like John McLame !

[barryisdun]

I really enjoyed Fred Thompson''s overview of President McCain''s service to his country last night. Especially the in-depth details about President McCain''s stay in the Hanoi Hilton. It must''ve made you traitorous libscum feel like sh*t to even think about voting against a patriot like President John McCain.

[barryisdun]

What struck me about last night''''''''s convention visuals was how old and tired the GOP looks. All you saw were old, white men and women. All the speakers were old, white men.It is a striking comparison to the Democratic convention.

Posted by briannorwood at 09:00 AM : Sep 03, 2008

Yeah, really. The DNC had all old, white men...except for their token Arab, Obama bin Barry.

[jbright9]

Lieberman is a traitor. I hope he enjoyed his minute in the spotlight because he was being used.

[barryisdun]

Lieberman is a traitor. I hope he enjoyed his minute in the spotlight because he was being used.

Posted by jbright9 at 09:18 AM : Sep 03, 2008

From someone who clearly doesn''t understand politics at all. LOL!

[barryisdun]

Bunch of old white men praising an old white man, senator McLame.

Posted by buckfush500 at 09:18 AM : Sep 03, 2008

Nothing like being a racist POS, eh, you racist POS?

[jbright9]

I understand Levi is coming to be with Bristol tonight. Is that teaching values???? It seems as if it is glorifying bad behavior. Teenagers of America - you can produce a baby that you are not ready for and we will get all warm and fuzzy and surround you with love and put you on a pedestal. You did the right thing because you are having this baby. No, they did not do the right thing or they wouldn''t be needing to make this choice. You can''t glorify bad behavior and think that other impressionable teenagers aren''t getting the wrong message from it.

[mytoosense]

really enjoyed Fred Thompson''''s overview of President McCain''''s service to his country last night. Especially the in-depth details about President McCain''''s stay in the Hanoi Hilton. It must''''ve made you traitorous libscum feel like sh*t to even think about voting against a patriot like President John McCain.
Posted by BarryIsDun

Barry Is A Dumb A$$.

[concerns47]

See how many votes Obama missed
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/person.xpd?id=400629&tab=votes

He did introduce many bills, only a few were enacted.

[mcvet-1]

really enjoyed Fred Thompson''''''''s overview of President McCain''''''''s service to his country last night. Especially the in-depth details about President McCain''''''''s stay in the Hanoi Hilton. It must''''''''ve made you traitorous libscum feel like sh*t to even think about voting against a patriot like President John McCain.
Posted by BarryIsDun

Barry Is A Dumb A$$.

Posted by mytoosense at 09:27 AM : Sep 03, 2008

Well help us out here Swastika Breath!! This bunch of Ugly Fascist tell me that McSame isn''t Bush. I need some help with that one. On the Economy McSame proposes MORE of the same FAILED policies we saw under Bush, can you tell us the difference? He has NO plan on Social Security... why is that? Doesn''t he thing the issue is Important enough to have a Policy... that to is EXACTLY like Sir Lie''s a Lot. How about Medicare? He has NO plan for that, exactly like Bush. You know it appears you losers want us to buy 4 more years of the WORST in our history to me. Now lets hear ya!! SIEG HEIL Bush!!

[mr2258]

Democrats...Your candidate is an anti-american racist.He will lose...

[briannorwood]

Officials of the Alaskan Independence Party say that Palin was once a member of their party, which since the 1970s has been pushing for a legal vote for Alaskans to decide whether or not residents of the 49th state can secede from the United States.

Lynette Clark, the chairman of the AIP, tells ABC News that Palin and her husband Todd were members in 1994, even attending the 1994 statewide convention in Wasilla. Clark was AIP secretary at the time.

AIP founder, Joe Vogler man who said, "I''m an Alaskan, not an American. I''ve got no use for America or her damned institutions." Volger also said, "The fires of Hell are glaciers compared to my hate for the American government."

I suspect McCain and his aides didn''t know about any of this. Indeed, they couldn''t have -- they didn''t vet her. But now that this revelation has come to light, what''s the defense?

[mytoosense]

Barry Is A Dumb A$$. Posted by mytoosense

The above poster, not the candidate.

[mcvet-1]

From someone who clearly doesn''''t understand politics at all. LOL!

Posted by BarryIsDun at 09:19 AM : Sep 03, 2008

This from someone who 8 year ago trashed the tired old man in favor of the WORST President in US History AND the WORST Vice President EVERY!! Not really someone to listen to I would think. Sieg Heil Bush

[b0ludo]

All of you who are new to the political process would do well in paying attention to what happened last night. I know you have been listening to everything the media has been feeding you... The dissemination of misinformation in order to rally the simple minded folks to come around, leave their common sense behind, and increase their ratings.
Last night you saw a real Democrat, one who ran next to Al Gore, who told all of us he thinks Obama will be ready in a few years, but a president who needs OJT and who will learn on you and on me is not what we need at this crossroads in our nation''s history. The country is in the ER and the Democrats give us an Alka Seltzer and a Band Aid.