The breakout star of the event (Maggie Haberman saw as much from the scene) is one of only two who gives a pure political speech, with applause lines, call-and-response, and a sense of urgency and destiny. The line that's generated the most attention is "I'm in! You're in! We're in!" -- she's been saying that for a while. More interesting to me is how neatly she ties together the work of Congress, references to the Constitution, and non-shrill religious appeal. She quotes John Adams on religion, then adds her own take: "You cannot build a nation unless it is build on a rock solid foundation." She knows exactly what outrages and legislation the crowd wants to hear about. "By the way, just so you know, I introduced the Light Bulb Freedom of Choice Act!" There is huge applause for this. "Iowans can be trusted to choose their own light bulbs! They're really smart people." A B+ speech.
Ah, way to mention the light bulbs. We have to have the freedom to use light bulbs that produce way more heat than light. Thank God we have this idiot to protect us from evil flourescent light bulbs. If anybody hasn't noticed, our economy still sucks. I don't think bringing back incandescent bulbs is going to fix that. While we're at it, get those water-wasting toilets back.
Herman Cain won the straw poll at the event. Weigel gave him an A-.
I am amazed at the Republican (Tea Party) zeal to tell the voters how intelligent they are while they are quietly screwing them from behind. I guess we voters are not intelligent enough to ask for a reach around.
ReplyDeleteThey wouldn't give it to us anyway.
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