Today’s coverage of the Republican National Convention (as reported by CBS) Consisted of George W. Bush on a huge TV screen providing all the usual blather about what a great president John McCain will make. This was followed by more coverage of the scandals surrounding Sarah Palin.
The Republicans did have some good talking points though, saying that Palin’s executive experience as mayor then governor trumps Obama’s years as merely a legislator, with no executive experience. With an 80% approval rating, Palin has the highest approval rating of any current state governor so she must be doing something right, at least for the people of Alaska.
Of course, if we’re to judge fitness for office by executive experience, Palin is probably more qualified than McCain to be president. (Though the Republican talking points didn’t seem to mention this.)
Actor and former U.S. Senator Fred Thompson then warmed up the crowd with more blather about the McCain/Palin ticket. They’re both mavericks, he said, willing to take on the political establishment.
But the star of the show tonight was Democrat Senator Joe Lieberman. That’s right, a Democrat addressed the RNC. I’ don’t know if that has ever happened before. In any case, putting country before party, Lieberman talked up the McCain/Palin ticket and asked independents and Democrats to vote for the Republican presidential ticket this fall.
Now, Lieberman was rumored to be considered for the McCain VP slot himself at one point. It would have been a very McCain-like choice. Many Republicans consider McCain to be a RINO (Republican In Name Only) inasmuch as he seems to act and vote like a Democrat so often. As Senators from Arizona go, he’s no Barry Goldwater. So choosing a Democrat for VP certainly would have been right up McCain’s alley, but it didn’t happen.
Instead, Sarah Palin happened. Good thing too, as many Republicans could not justify voting for McCain. Now they can. There’s going to be an actual Republican on the ticket.
I’ve got to give McCain credit for getting a sitting U.S. Senator of the opposition party to endorse him over his own Democrat ticket.