Now for the counterpoint.
Weirdest moment: Hearing the president talk about “Hugs” on the ropeline. That type of presidential talk is so 1990s.
His due: Maybe I was too hard on Edwards. There was Cheney on the stage doing his straight man routine. Just the facts, Dick. Record turnout etc. etc. Then again, Cheney spoke quickly and to the accomplishment of Bush while it seems that Edwards lingered and spoke to his own future role within the party.
Expected language that still surprised me: Bush is very comfortable using the language of “manly virtues.” Not only is he comfortable, but he uses the vocabulary well..as if virtue-speak is his first language and the rest of the English language he learned in an ESL class. I doubt that his time at Andover and Yale produced a great love for Greek Classics, but there he is talking about duty, honor (at least two mentions), humility, “we defended ourself”, power and character. The language of virtue does not have to be overbearing or self-congratulatory and Bush just proved it.
Best line: “The character of America is sturdy and honest and as hopeful as the break of day.” That my friends is as good as the poetry of Carl Sandburg or the wisdom of Will Rogers.
Nice try, but not enough: Bush spoke directly to Kerry supporters and asked them to give him a chance; he will try to earn their trust and he wants to work together. I don’t think that this is quite enough to meet the expectations of the media/opinion leaders who want him to “reach out” but, who says that you can make all the people happy all the time? It was a nice, and probably sincere effort, but basically meaningless pablum. In all, Bush came in right at the ten minute mark…maybe Micheal Gerson reads the Lockerroom. Nah.
