The Art of Politics

Round Two

Arnold keeps the momentum from Monday rolling...and wins another round for the GOP...

On the second night of Republican convention speeches, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger kept the strong momentum from the Giuliani and McCain speeches going.

Arnold both gained and received something at the convention. He lent his considerable star power and personal gravitas with voters usually outside the system or usually independent to both President Bush and the Republican party, and in return received his bona fides from the Republican party national apparatus.

His campaign in California was oddly not closely embraced by the Bush team - this seemed somewhat awkward, considering Arnie campaigned for Bush's father in 1988. While perhaps not wanting to play favorites, Bush was very restrained in his praise. This perhaps explained some reluctance from Schwarzenegger to vigorously endorse the President - that, and his likely disillusionment that somehow Bush would extend to California federal grist for the Sacramento budget mill.

Arnold's speech was very personal, like Rudy Giuliani's speech. It definitely picked up as it went along, and was effective in inviting non-traditional Republicans into the Republican party.

The Bush twins were a mixed bag. While cutting their public teeth, their teething pains showed, but how many of us are on national television for the first time at 22? Still, they do have some party-hardy appeal to young voters, and can help soften the edge of being a hip Bush supporter.

Laura's speech was solid, but clearly aimed at selling the President to women. To women concerned about Bush's more rugged, renegade image, Laura can assure them that if she can trust him - they can trust him too.

After two rounds, the Republican convention is leading on points. You get the feeling that the GOP bench is just overpoweringly deep. A furiously strong first round of Giuliani and McCain easily bested an uneven Democrat effort of a strong rhetorical round from President Clinton mated with a mealy, weak-kneed President Carter. The second round again solidly favors the Republican convention, with a fence-swinging Arnold beating a very good but celebrity starved speech from Barack Obama, and with Laura Bush putting the wood to feisty but utterly weird at times Teresa Heinz.

Oh, make that Heinz-Kerry, just not on tax day...

Posted by MEC2 at August 31, 2004 12:50 AM