Based on the awesome transcripts I've perused of the RNC convention speeches so far, I'm not surprised they weren't carried on television. Had they been, everyone would now be a Republican. Check out Rudy's:
I don't believe we're right about everything and Democrats are wrong about everything.Imagine any Democrat (ok, just about any) being even half as conciliatory towards Republicans.Neither party has a monopoly on virtue.
But I do believe that there are times in our history when our ideas are more necessary and important for what we are facing.
There are times when leadership is the most important.
On September 11, this city and our nation faced the worst attack in our history.
On that day, we had to confront reality. For me, standing below the north tower and looking up and seeing the flames of hell and then realizing that I was actually seeing a man a human being jumping from the 101st or 102nd floor drove home to me that we were facing something beyond anything we had ever faced before.
We had to concentrate all of our energy, faith and hope to get through those first hours and days.
And I will always remember that moment as we escaped the building we were trapped in at 75 Barclay Street and realized that things outside might be even worse than they were inside the building.
We did the best we could to communicate a message of calm and hope, as we stood on the pavement seeing a massive cloud rushing through the cavernous streets of lower Manhattan.
Our people were so brave in their response.
At the time, we believed we would be attacked many more times that day and in the days that followed. Spontaneously, I grabbed the arm of then Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik and said to Bernie, "Thank God George Bush is our President."
And I say it again tonight, "Thank God George Bush is our President."
On September 11, George W. Bush had been President less than eight months. This new President, Vice President, and new administration were faced with the worst crisis in our history.
President Bush's response in keeping us unified and in turning the ship of state around from being solely on defense against terrorism to being on offense as well and for his holding us together.
For that and then his determined effort to defeat global terrorism, no matter what happens in this election, President George W. Bush already has earned a place in our history as a great American President.
And Senator McCain's:
My friends, we are again met on the field of political competition with our fellow countrymen. It is more than appropriate, it is necessary that even in times of crisis we have these contests, and engage in spirited disagreement over the shape and course of our government.These were some powerful exhortations, and it's sad that very few people got to see them.We have nothing to fear from each other. We are arguing over the means to better secure our freedom, and promote the general welfare. But it should remain an argument among friends who share an unshaken belief in our great cause, and in the goodness of each other.
We are Americans first, Americans last, Americans always. Let us argue our differences.
But remember we are not enemies, but comrades in a war against a real enemy, and take courage from the knowledge that our military superiority is matched only by the superiority of our ideals, and our unconquerable love for them.
Our adversaries are weaker than us in arms and men, but weaker still in causes. They fight to express a hatred for all that is good in humanity.
We fight for love of freedom and justice, a love that is invincible. Keep that faith. Keep your courage. Stick together. Stay strong.
Do not yield. Do not flinch. Stand up. Stand up with our President and fight.
We're Americans.
We're Americans, and we'll never surrender.
They will.
Talk radio is a blessing.
Good speeches... but no, they wouldn't be as effective for the Republican party as you're thinking.
Both of them call for a different tone in the rhetoric of the campaign... stuff like:
"But remember we are not enemies, but comrades in a war against a real enemy"
and
"I don't believe we're right about everything and Democrats are wrong about everything. Neither party has a monopoly on virtue."
These are things I'd never expect to see on this blog or any other conservative blog.
The major news outlets didn't cover the Democratic convention any more than they're covering this one, so in terms of its impact on the American people, I'd say it's a wash.
Few people got to see them? They were on CNN and the other cable news networks, weren't they?
I think pretty much everybody's who's anybody had access to see them last night that wanted to.
Only the neo-Luddites who still use rabbit ears on their TV's actually didn't have the opportunity :)
But think about it - over the last hundred years, there have been several points in history where people who didn't own the latest forms of communication (radio, TV) would gather around at each others homes to witness the truly important events of our time. Moon landings, "Roots", etc. If it's important enough to watch, people will find a way if they care.
Mark, what are you talking about? The quotes you placed up there were 2 of the most powerful things he said.
I didn't hear anything that open and honest in the Democrat National Convention. How could those quotes possibly be counted as a negative in a conservative blog?
As far as these speeches being a wash, a Dem strategist was asked on the news this morning what Kerry should say to counter the Republicans latest round of speeches. This strategist almost spit out her tongue trying to formulate an answer, and then finally popped off with some accusation about Republican delegates making fun of Kerry's 3 purple hearts at the convention.
Even the newscaster laughed at the obvious evasion; tried to steer her back to the question, with no avail. A wash? Hardly. Even Dem organizations are scratching their heads about the obvious shift in the politcal winds.
w00t! Thanks for the link, Michael. I was looking for transcripts.
JP: You've misinterpreted me completely.
I don't think the two things I quoted were a negative at all. I just said that they were things you would never find on a conservative blog.
You'll also notice that my first sentence was "Good speeches."
Mark: You found them here and this is a conservative blog, I reckon.
Yes.
Color me shocked and surprised.
I'd never expect to see something so centrist on here.
I guess I'm a nobody; I don't have expanded cable.
The major news outlets didn't cover the Democratic convention any more than they're covering this one
Why did the networks air the DNC opt not to air the RNC?
Oops. -- "BUT" opt not to air the RNC.
Michael,
Your readers may also be interested in the more accurate transcripts from CNN. I didn't see the McCain speech, so I can't say much about that one, but CNN's version of Giuliani's speech is a lot closer to what I remember hearing. Good reading.
The networks are giving the same coverage of the Republican convention that they did of the Democratic convention. Generally speaking, ABC, NBC, and CBS didn't give much airtime to either the DNC or the RNC.
Fox News Channel is providing the same coverage of both.
Some convention analysis
Tucker Carlson:
"The speakers do not represent the mainstream of the Republican Party which is not secular, not coastal and pretty conservative. Same with the themes. The Republicans will have a disciplined convention. Both parties do. There’s not much chaos left in political conventions, and that’s a shame. The Republicans are going to make the point that they’re not scary, that they’re in control of the country. They’re going to keep the evangelicals under wraps; I guess it’s effective. It offends me. I think they ought to say what they really think. I think both parties should."
Mark: If I remember correctly the major networks broadcast one hour per night from the Dems' convention, totaling 4 hours. Maybe the Reps' convention will get the same total distributed differently?
As for Tucker Carlson, yeah, it'd be nice if everyone was just open and put all their cards on the table and lived in gingerbread houses with frosting and gumdrops.
Mark: Guess I misunderstood you. Oops.
MW: "If I remember correctly the major networks broadcast one hour per night from the Dems' convention, totaling 4 hours. Maybe the Reps' convention will get the same total distributed differently?"
According to ABC's website, NBC's website, and CBS's website they're doing the same thing for the Republican convention. One hour per night for the remaining 3 nights.