AS IT STANDS: AS IT STANDS: A look back at the Republican National Convention

Sunday, September 9, 2012

AS IT STANDS: A look back at the Republican National Convention

By Dave Stancliff/For The Times-Standard
It was disturbing to watch two delegates thrown out for throwing peanuts at a black female CNN camera operator and shouting, “This is how we feed animals!” at the Republican National Convention.
I think I heard strains of “Dixie” playing (…old times there are not forgotten), but won’t swear to it.
I didn’t see a unified Republican Party.
Convention Chairman John Boehner wasn’t exactly Mr. Popular. When he called for a voice vote on the rules it sounded like the “Nayes” won it, but Boehner ruled “The Ayes have it” and all the rules went through.

Chaos erupted, but the dog-and-pony show went on despite early mention of minority reports sent to the Chair that would have offered an alternate version of the rules. However, no minority reports were voted on. It was as though no opposition had ever existed. Boos and fury followed. The unsatisfied Maine delegation walked out in disgust.

A floor fight was narrowly avoided and alternate delegates threatened to spark a mass rebellion by supporters of Texas Congressman Ron Paul, as well as opponents of the proposed rules.

Chris Christie, a increasingly popular conservative politician and keynote speaker at the RNC, made no mention of his “New Jersey Comeback.”
Here’s why: when Christie took office in Jan. 2010 unemployment in New Jersey was 9.7 percent. It dropped to 9.0 percent earlier this year, but has since ballooned to 9.8 percent – the highest it’s been in 35 years.
Out of all the speakers, all the proclamations, and all the political rhetoric at the convention, one topic concerned me the most; war. Romney suggested that we might have to attack Iran. He also said he wants “a military so strong no one would dare attack us.” What Romney didn’t say was that our wars are causing our huge national debt.
The thing about that statement is no one would dare attack us now. The implication was that we are weak and he wants to beef up our military for more interventions into other countries. I find that unacceptable and fear mongering.
Unlike past Republican conventions, there was little talk of foreign policy. There was a good reason for that. Recent polls show Obama holds a considerable lead in that subject.
Romney’s short campaign tour overseas, where he managed to seriously “tick-off” our British allies during the Olympics, was a preview of his speaking skills abroad.
I found it ironic that the theme of the second night was: “We Built It,” in response to a speech earlier this year by Obama that was taken out of context. The night revolved around the bogus theme (lie) with testimonials from selected small business owners vetted by GOP convention organizers.

I was mildly surprised to see that Paul Ryan was named Romney’s Vice-President. He has a past history similar to Romney’s, as he’ll flip flop on political positions like an acrobat. His acceptance speech was full of lies (a Ryan trademark).
For a detailed analysis go to http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/article/2012/aug/11/fact-checking-paul-ryan/ and http://www.politicususa.com/5-biggest-lies-paul-ryans-rnc-acceptance-speech.html).
I wonder how Romney is going to square his quotes on abortion (he’s repeatedly told reporters there should be some exceptions) with the GOP Party platform announced during the convention which states, “No more abortions regardless of the reason.”
Lots of tea party luminaries were featured, and rightly so, as they are taking over the Republican Party.
Romney’s acceptance speech on the last night was preceded by mystery guest Clint Eastwood, who proceeded to ramble on to an empty chair for 12 minutes before miming, “Make my day” and shuffling off. The audience exploded in nervous relief while convention organizers scrambled to adjust the schedule, since Dirty Harry used twice the time allotted to him.

Clint was right when he said Obama disappointed people by not getting us out of Afghanistan. The speech was, however, one of his more bizarre performances. He still stole the show.
Romney’s speech was full of rhetoric and nostalgia. As usual, no detailed plans were given, only vague future promises. The only thing he and Ryan really scored political points on was the fact that so many people are unemployed. They promised jobs - 12 million of them if they get elected.
As It Stands, perhaps the saddest footnote of all regarding the convention was that a spin-off reality show, “Honey Boo Boo,” drew more viewers than the convention on the final night.