Striking the Right Tones

So...Gov. Palin took a very hefty whack at her critics last night. Opinions are even starting to change about her ability to handle Joe Biden in the debate in Oct...I have to say, I have believed she could handle it, but I think conventional wisdom is shifting the more we hear her speak. She's so capable of taking out your kneecaps, warmly, endearingly, smiling the whole time.

She was bright, pleasant, enjoyable, and dangerous for those that take her lightly. She was unifying for the base...Republicans who have been waiting for the next real Reagan may just get one in Palin. She's a whole package...she excites the base, while being relatable to everyone else. She knows how to play to the room (can we all agree that it is refreshing to have politicians that know they need to communicate on TV?) but still conveys normalcy, rather than the jaded type of political wisdom that is there so often from professional politicans. Whether she ever gets the top job or not, she makes young Republicans happy, because we've always contested that it is possible to live as a Conservative, think as a Conservative, and govern as a Conservative without falling into the stereotype of being and "old, out of touch white man". She's not the top of the ticket...the top of the ticket is much closer to the stereotype...but having her on the ticket at all speaks volumes for the future of the party...even under the guidance of a more stereo-typical candidate, such as John McCain.

Rather than the candidate of change bowing to the establishment, a more established candidate pushed the party towards a real reformer that represents the values the future of the party want more of.

The biggest message of her speech? Small town values aren't merely quaint, old fashioned and going out of style. America has far more people who what to be considered normal than vicitims. America is filled with many more people who don't go the Ivy schools and struggle with real family decisions and are impacted by the civil servants of small town government more than the professional politicans of Washington. America has far more people of Religious conviction than bitter, disillusioned hicks.

This is one of the reasons why McCain will not try to produce his own stadium of adoration. He will speak in the forum that first started momentum for his campaign...in a much more intimate, townhall setting. Republicans aren't making a grab for "independents"...they're making a play for America, period. Families, real people, real towns, actual concerns and relatable leaders.

Its not new...Obama (and now Biden...which is really funny, because Biden IS a suit...) typically avoids the suit look. Most talks, he prefers the white shirt, rolled up sleeves. Regular Joe. One of the people. Of course...he's not...but he is trying to condescend to the regular people, in an attempt to convince them that HE is their man. Hard to out relate an actual regular mom...harder still when you're in no way "regular". Obama's magical qualities will turn out to be a problem in a campaign where really being one of the people is actually an issue, rather than a mere cosmetic discussion. Harder still to out manuver the Governor with your experience in the community.

Of course, the press don't understand the situation. We've called for someone normal for so long that now, when there's someone normal on the ticket...well, who invited them? Its amusing to see them fall over themselves. I don't believe they will reconcile themselves to Palin, even though it is becoming increasingly difficult to justify their disdain. They had put their money on the Obama race...and Palin opens up their foregone conclusion to new debate. Grrrr. Argh. Boo. Hiss. I expect more of the same. They're frustrated by their inability to turn the discourse back. As they get more desperate, watch for more mountains out of molehills...more vicious backhands on issues not related to politics. Its only getting started...though I have to say, I think we're closer to seeing the complete demise of Obama's campaign than ever before. If Palin gets any more likeable, it will collapse in on itself.