The GOP Convention -- Updated Twice [Bryan]

I've been watching the Republican National Convention. I just got done watching Mitt, Huckabee, Rudy, and Palin speak. Almost every moment was full of sarcasm, smugness, mockery, and belittling humor. With the possible exception of Huckabee, none of them had anything but sheer contempt for the accomplishments or leadership of Obama. Quite a contrast from the Democratic convention; indeed, I can't think of a time when the Democrats mocked McCain in this way (heaven knows there would have been plenty of ammunition).

The Republicans seem to believe that the only way to win the election is to completely tear down Obama and his deluded supportors. This strategy of sarcasm serves to divide America in two: the true patriots pitted against the un-American traitors. There wasn't any attempt tonight to craft a positive vision for America, there were no glimpses of a common ground that could heal the cultural rifts in American life (as Obama proposed in his convention speech), just mockery and attacks. I guess this is what wins elections.

The ironies of the night were rich and too numerous to mention: Republicans (often from very wealthy backgrounds and elite colleges, ahem, Mitt Romney) decrying the elitism of someone raised by a single mom, Republicans talking about the terrible problems with the government that they have mostly ruled for the past decade, Republicans lamenting the evils of big government when they oversaw the largest expansions of government in decades, Republicans decrying Obama's lack of "executive experience" when their own presidential nominee has exactly none, Republicans railing against earmarks when their vice-presidential pick never met an earmark she didn't like (including her fondness for the "bridge to nowhere" she now claims to have opposed), and so forth and so on (the Associated Press's brutal" fact check" on the night can be found here).

Update: I think this new video really captures what a lot of people don't understand about the Obama campaign. It is only partially about Obama; he is really just a symbol. It is about people, most of whom have never really been involved in politics before (like me), coming together to say: We don't have to be cynical anymore; we can work together and truly be the United States of America. Quite a contrast from the tone of the GOP right now.



Update 2: McCain's speech was certainly much less sarcastic and smug in tone than his VP -- good for him. I can't help but be moved by his POW story, even though it was told 100 times at the convention. It usually makes me suspicious when people constantly highlight how patriotic they are, but I guess if anybody can brag about their patriotism, McCain can. His call to serve our country was welcome, particularly when we noted there were many ways of serving (like being a teacher!)

A few clarifications of Obama's positions: McCain claims that Obama will raise taxes. Obama will only raise taxes on individuals making over $250,000 a year. Most of us will actually receive a bigger tax cut under the Obama plan. On this point, it is fair to point out that McCain's health care plan looks to eliminate the tax exemption for employee health care benefits, which (whether a good idea or not) will increase taxes for most people (average tax increase of $2000 is what I've read). McCain said Obama will "force families into a government-run health care system where a bureaucrat stands between you and your doctor." This is a lie -- Obama's health care plan leaves private insurance intact, and you can still choose this option if you want it. Of course, even with our private insurance companies and HMOs, our system now is shot through with bureaucrats -- they are just profit-seeking bureaucrats instead of government ones. Finally, McCain said, "Sen. Obama thinks we can achieve energy independence without more drilling and without more nuclear power." In reality, Obama has indicated he is willing to compromise about drilling if major clean-energy initiatives are included in the total package. This seems like a sensible compromise to me. He has always said nuclear power needs to play a role.

I think McCain should be commended for certain things. It is only fair to point out, though, that his image as a reforming maverick can certainly be challenged. Not mentioned last night were McCain's involvement in the infamous "Keating Five" scandal and his dramatic, politically expedient flip flops on issues such as the Bush tax policy and immigration. McCain has always really wanted to be president, and, like everyone else, he makes the compromises he thinks he needs to get there.