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.

[TommyCraig]

By your GOP definition of "executive experience", which apparently means non-state senate or non-federal senate, then MCCAIN HAS NO EXECUTIVE EXPERIENCE. He''''s been a Congressman and Senator his whole political career".
Posted by notelatu at 10:17 PM : Sep 03, 2008
Senator John McCane retired as a Captain from the US Navy. The rank of Captain is earned and bares great responsibility. More so than organizing poliltical groups.

[TommyCraig]

"And this woman could be our next vice president and possibly our president?!?!?!?!? "
Posted by miles1967 at 10:22 PM : Sep 03, 2008
Sounds like the kind of change we need! unlike the old establishment of Biden...

[mitch5511]

As an Independent observing the Republican convention, I found the speeches lacked substance. Nothing about the issues, just attacks against Obama. If that''s what we are going to hear from the Republican candidates over the next two months, I am voting for Obama.

[sac42]

If anyone wonders who and what Sarah Palin stands for, it was answered this evening in an eloquent speech that proves John McCain made the correct choice for his V.P. The left leaning media and political pundits are besides themselves because of the sudden appearance of this very sharp, tenacious and provacatively different kind of politician they could not have foreseen. All I heard all week was whether or not one would want her as close as a heartbeat away from Presidency. The answer, in spades, is a resounding YES.

[tapsettle]

Heres a cool anagram:

McCain Palin Ticket =
It Can Milk Panic etc.

[miles1967-2009]

Sarah Palin:

-Belives 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
-Is being investigated for 2 state employee firing scandals

And this woman could be our next vice president and possibly our president?!?!?!?!?

[georgeeeeeee]

Hi ya%u2019ll, G. W. here! Me and Laura just got back from another vacation at the ranch, I wanted to stay a lot longer so I could clear up some of that dang brush and ride round on that two-wheel thingy but D!ck said it%u2019d look bad if I wasn%u2019t in that Louis place down yonder. I dunno, something bout one of them swirly things maken a fuss again. Heck, last time I sent Browny down there and D!ck let me stay on the ranch so me and Barney could wrestle. He did a heckuva job, so I dunno, maybe I culd just call and rustle him outa bed and send him on down there again so I don%u2019t have to cut short my putting in the basement. Just a crying shame ain%u2019t it? Well D!ck told me I gotta get up in front of the camera here in my west-wing and tell ya%u2019ll bout my good friend John McCain and that lovely slice he plucked from up in that frozen place. Heck, what can I say McCainiac, I luv ya brother, now I know ya told me to quit callin you that but you know how I am ole%u2019 buddy, if you ain%u2019t got a nickname, it just ain%u2019t the same now is it? hehehe. I wanted to tell you how proud I am of u McCainiac, that%u2019s just some real fine strategery there in your V.P. pick. I mean come on now, a gun-toting, god fearin cowgirl who is bff%u2019s with our pals over at Exxon. To tell you truth it kinda brings a tear to my eye she reminds me of myself so much. Well, I%u2019ll catch ya%u2019ll later. Hook em Horns!%u201D

[mike91953]

Shame on Mike Huckabee for his continued allegiance to the corrupt Republican Party. Many of us would love to see Roe vs. Wade overturned but cannot and will not tolerate more of the Republican filth and sleaze in order to achieve that end.

[citizenusa-2009]

This Republican fiasco is EMBARRASSING! OMG! Bush has taken this country to new lows and these morons are patting themselves on the back for supporting him! Sarah Palin is too insignificant to even mention. She needs to go back to Alaska, tend to the bears, raise her kids and stop mugging for the camera.

[citizenusa-2009]

REVENGE OF THE GAS BAGS PART III (also known as the Republican "Party"). zzzzzzzzz

[rrcampbell1]

Lots of empty seats at this GOP convention.

"[A]s for that V.P. talk all the time, I''ll tell you, I still can''t answer that question until somebody answers for me what is it exactly that the V.P. does every day?" - Gov. Palin

McCain is a pain and Palin pales in comparison to Biden''s experience, sharpness and experience.

GOP? This the same old party, for sure, and no longer very grand.

[yankeerebel7]

Yeah, when it comes down to it, I''ll probably be voting for team elephant this year. Obama just isn''t doing it for me.

[armydog2]

The new republican party- "We are total F@ckups" are ya sceered now.

[calman5]

GOPers predicted Doomday for McCain--
He didn%u2019t choose the best woman for GOP Veep __
Hot Mic in St Paul ---ABC News_It seems that Republicans Peggy Noonan and Mike Murphy were caught in a bit of unguarded conversation today and someone posted the moment to YouTube.___
((http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrG8w4bb3kg))
---Noonan, a former speechwriter to Ronald Reagan and a Wall Street Journal columnist, and Murphy, a longtime GOP campaign strategist, had been guests on MSNBC when host Chuck Todd breaks for a commercial. The camera cuts to a wideshot, but the audio continues for another couple of minutes, as the GOPers debate the selection of Sarah Palin as John McCain%u2019s running mate, including:
Murphy: It''s not going to work.
Noonan: It''s over.
Murphy: But still McCain can give a version of the Lieberman speech to do himself some good.
Todd: I think this was insulting to Kay Bailey Hutchinson... She%u2019s never looked comfortable with this.
Murphy: they%u2019re all bummed out
Todd: I mean is she really the most qualified woman they could have turned to?
Noonan: The most qualified? No. I would think they went for the, excuse me, political bulls**t about narratives...
Noonan: Every time Republicans do that, because that''s not where they live and it''s not what they''re good at, they blow it.
Murphy: You know what''s really the worst thing about it? The greatness of McCain is no cynicism and this is cynical

[calman5]

GOPers predicted Doomday for McCain--
He didn%u2019t choose the best woman for GOP Veep __
Hot Mic in St Paul ---ABC News_It seems that Republicans Peggy Noonan and Mike Murphy were caught in a bit of unguarded conversation today and someone posted the moment to YouTube.___
((http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrG8w4bb3kg))
---Noonan, a former speechwriter to Ronald Reagan and a Wall Street Journal columnist, and Murphy, a longtime GOP campaign strategist, had been guests on MSNBC when host Chuck Todd breaks for a commercial. The camera cuts to a wideshot, but the audio continues for another couple of minutes, as the GOPers debate the selection of Sarah Palin as John McCain%u2019s running mate, including:
Murphy: It''s not going to work.
Noonan: It''s over.
Murphy: But still McCain can give a version of the Lieberman speech to do himself some good.
Todd: I think this was insulting to Kay Bailey Hutchinson... She%u2019s never looked comfortable with this.
Murphy: they%u2019re all bummed out
Todd: I mean is she really the most qualified woman they could have turned to?
Noonan: The most qualified? No. I would think they went for the, excuse me, political bulls**t about narratives...
Noonan: Every time Republicans do that, because that''s not where they live and it''s not what they''re good at, they blow it.
Murphy: You know what''s really the worst thing about it? The greatness of McCain is no cynicism and this is cynical

[pvperson]

johnny302 , all we''ve heard for months from the republicans is how Obama isn''t qualified, so now that you have Palin that''s no longer important? Hypocrite.

[pvperson]

"country matters more than party" says Lieberman, like he or his fellow republicans have ever believed that. Party first and last is the creed of the neo-con. Always has been and always will be, evidence -- Bush.

[hhroams]

rumor is that bushs pardons list will be for every cabinet member in his administration--so look for 1/19/09 to see who needs a pardon

[vetforobama]

McSame is going to wish he vetted her.

In a February interview with MTV, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin lavished praise on maverick Republican presidential contender Ron Paul.

She had a few nice things to say about another GOP candidate, Mitt Romney. But Palin made no mention of John McCain.

By the way she showed better judgement than McCain did supporting her. Ron Paul is 10 times the man McShame ever will be.

[leftyintexas]

There would be many many Dumbocrats in jail if Dumbocratic Presidents like Clinton did''''t pardon them.

Posted by dmw1167 at 05:05 PM : Sep 03, 2008

You have to admit... there''ll never be another DUMBYA.