# Republican National Convention thread **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [September 3, 2008, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-national-convention-thread/461817 "2008-09-03T04:31:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Sitnam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-national-convention-thread/461817/101 "2008-09-05T02:11:10Z")
Accepting the nomination during the opener of the NFL season…is that putting country first? ---
**Author:** ![Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hentor_the_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-national-convention-thread/461817/102 "2008-09-05T02:19:56Z")
Wow. Going with the green background again? I love how the crowd can’t stop paying attention to the one solitary protestor. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-national-convention-thread/461817/103 "2008-09-05T02:20:38Z")
> [@rocking\_chair](#): > > her parents seriously named her cindy lou? Cindy Lou Who? ---
**Author:** ![KarmaComa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e36b37/32.png) [@KarmaComa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarmaComa)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-national-convention-thread/461817/104 "2008-09-05T02:21:57Z")
> [@Sitnam](#): > > Accepting the nomination during the opener of the NFL season…is that putting country first? I hear McCain is set to honour the Green Bay Packers’ defensive line in his speech. So at least he is showing a little respect. ---
**Author:** ![ArizonaTeach](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/45deac/32.png) [@ArizonaTeach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ArizonaTeach)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-national-convention-thread/461817/105 "2008-09-05T02:26:37Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > They believe whatever the media tells them I guess, and the media’s been telling then that the media is out to get Sarah palin. > > And yet, they’re still going to elect Barack Obama. Whadda ya know. Wait, seriously, you actually link to a poll as proof of your point, but discount **the exact same poll** when you don’t like what another aspect of that poll revealed? My God…some people are going to go batshit **insane** when Obama loses. Looking at your Cindy McCain misogony and your _I can’t heaaaaar you_ responses to Obama claiming the surge worked, I see it’s business as usual, thouh. ---
**Author:** ![Phlosphr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-national-convention-thread/461817/106 "2008-09-05T02:26:45Z")
CNN is showing lot’s of protesters getting escorted out. They spent 2 solid seconds on a huge sign saying, “ **You can’t win and Occupation** ” I love activisim. It’s what really keeps this society alive! ---
**Author:** ![cosmosdan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a6a055/32.png) [@cosmosdan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cosmosdan)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-national-convention-thread/461817/107 "2008-09-05T02:29:37Z")
> [@Stephe96](#): > > Meanwhile, Obama tells Bill O’Reilly tonight that he was totally wrong about the surge in Iraq. (Well, not in those words!) > > “I think that the surge has succeeded in ways that nobody anticipated,” Obama said while refusing to retract his initial opposition to the surge. “I’ve already said it’s succeeded beyond our wildest dreams.” > [2026 Election Results, Latest News & Updates | Fox News Elections Center](http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/09/04/obama-surge-succeeded-beyond-wildest-dreams/) > > So let’s recap: Biden blew it with his initial vote in support of the war, and Obama was absolutely wrong to oppose the surge. Yep, this certainly is a pair of foreign policy brainiacs, huh? Would you or someone explain exactly how the surge has succeeded and what it has accomplished? Please. Sincere question. In the bigger picture McCain had it wrong from the beginning. Anyone who had the guts to stand up and say no when Bush manipulated us into this horrible war deserves some credit. That’s Obama, a few congressional members, and not McCain or Biden. A few did. I saw the clips of McCain standing on the Senate floor making the case for this war. He was dead wrong and now , 1000’s of American lives, hundred’s of thousands of Iraqi lives, and 10s of billions of dollars later we’re supposed to hail him because the surge seemed to lead to a downturn in violence. Bullshit. We should have finished the job in Afghanistan and stayed out of Iraq. Let’s see, who supported that? ---
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-national-convention-thread/461817/108 "2008-09-05T02:32:55Z")
> [@Sam\_Stone](#): > > I’m probably going to hell for saying this, but… Cindy McCain looks drunk. > > I know she’s not, but that slow blink she does, and the vaguely glassy-eyed expression, combined with the slow, drawling speech. Yikes. I’m probably going to hell for saying this, but I think she looks better than I’ve seen her look in a long time. Her eyes aren’t nearly as scary as they can be at times. And I like her speech. I like the tone and the cadence and the sincerity. I hate the content, but that’s beside the point, and obviously to be expected. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hentor_the_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-national-convention-thread/461817/109 "2008-09-05T02:33:33Z")
Turns out there are some circumstances where a chant of “USA USA USA” doesn’t actually fit. ---
**Author:** ![Free\_Range\_Otter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ba8739/32.png) [@Free\_Range\_Otter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Free_Range_Otter)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-national-convention-thread/461817/110 "2008-09-05T02:35:14Z")
> [@Phlosphr](#): > > CNN is showing lot’s of protesters getting escorted out. They spent 2 solid seconds on a huge sign saying, “ **You can’t win and Occupation** ” > > I love activisim. It’s what really keeps this society alive! To be fair, CNN has shown two protesters. Not “lots.” One (with the banner) seemed respectful and with a message, the other seemed to want to shout out McCain. ---
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-national-convention-thread/461817/111 "2008-09-05T02:37:52Z")
> [@Shayna](#): > > I’m probably going to hell for saying this, but I think she looks better than I’ve seen her look in a long time. Her eyes aren’t nearly as scary as they can be at times. > > And I like her speech. I like the tone and the cadence and the sincerity. > > I hate the content, but that’s beside the point, and obviously to be expected. 🙂 Yeah, she was actually looking quite hot. ---
**Author:** ![cosmosdan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a6a055/32.png) [@cosmosdan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cosmosdan)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-national-convention-thread/461817/112 "2008-09-05T02:38:00Z")
> [@ArizonaTeach](#): > > [37 million watched Palin.](http://www.thrfeed.com/2008/09/palin-ratings-s.html) That’s slightly less than Obama, but around 13 million more than Biden. > > Make of that what you will. I watched. I know enough about Joe Biden. I don’t know about her. I was curious and I wanted to judge her for myself. I have. There’s no way in hell she’s getting my vote. In fact I’ll be donating more to the Obama camp soon. Sometimes it’s hard to draw a line between political spin and outright lies. There’s no doubt which side of the line she was on though. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-national-convention-thread/461817/113 "2008-09-05T02:39:04Z")
Did he just call her “Sarah Connor”? ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-national-convention-thread/461817/114 "2008-09-05T02:40:14Z")
> [@Maeglin](#): > > I am probably going to hell for saying this, but I don’t think it’s booze. Oxy? That’s what Sam’s description immediately made me think of. Maybe she popped some Vicodin to relax. ---
**Author:** ![leander](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/bcef8e/32.png) [@leander](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leander)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-national-convention-thread/461817/115 "2008-09-05T02:41:32Z")
Unfortunately it sounds like a standard stump speech, not an inspiring, rousing speech that will sway anybody over. Plus there’s the utter lack of personality. Reminds me of Bob Dole, not Ronald Reagan – which is exactly what the Pubs don’t want. ---
**Author:** ![Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hentor_the_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-national-convention-thread/461817/116 "2008-09-05T02:42:31Z")
He’s just not a good speaker, is he? At least he stopped giving the ill-timed creepy rictus he showed a few times early in the speech. ETA: No flag lapel pin? When did McCain turn commie? ---
**Author:** ![zoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/71c47a/32.png) [@zoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoo)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-national-convention-thread/461817/117 "2008-09-05T02:44:33Z")
I heard on fox news today that Obama will collect about $10mil between the Palin speech and McCain speech. ---
**Author:** ![Paintcharge](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/paintcharge/32/7946_2.png) [@Paintcharge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paintcharge)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-national-convention-thread/461817/118 "2008-09-05T02:46:29Z")
Ok, so I asked this over in CS, because I thought it was a stagecraft question: Well, while watching the RNC tonight, on PBS, in between flipping oer to the football game, Lindsay Graham was giving a speach to the RNC, one of the primary points of which was the troop “surge” in Iraq. Behind him was a series of pictures cycling. A minuteman statue, I think from Lexington, an flapping American flag, and then, an image of a military graveyard. Really, a military graveyard as an inspiring image for talking about our soldiers going to war? Or, is this a difference in opinion on what is an inspiring image? ---
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-national-convention-thread/461817/119 "2008-09-05T02:46:48Z")
I can NOT believe they went with that putrid green background again. What were they thinking? I’m behind by about 20 minutes - thank goodness for TIVO ---
**Author:** ![Free\_Range\_Otter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ba8739/32.png) [@Free\_Range\_Otter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Free_Range_Otter)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-national-convention-thread/461817/120 "2008-09-05T02:47:25Z")
> [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](#): > > He’s just not a good speaker, is he? At least he stopped giving the ill-timed creepy rictus he showed a few times early in the speech. He is most definitely not a good speaker. I wonder if he will appear a bit more natural during the debates. Right now his speaking style plus his inability to raise his arms above his shoulders makes the speech look, I don’t know, robotic. Note that I don’t think someone’s speaking style is the key to their abilities or potential; it’s just that McCain’s is just so damn distracting to me. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-national-convention-thread/461817.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-national-convention-thread/461817.md?page=7)