This blogger was too young to recall the media reaction to the rise and governance of Ronald Reagan. Sure, I've heard and read recountings. And Lord knows I've seen the roughshod treatment conservatives - especially from the West & South - are prone to receive from the media establishment, with its left-of-center, East Coast sensibilities. Nonetheless, the full-scale response of the media and the left to Sarah Palin has been more than just a little instructive.
As Jonah Goldberg so ably predicted at a very early stage, they're flummoxed and taken aback by the "rube from the provinces." Along the way, they're steadily infusing the conservative base with heretofore absent enthusiasm and likewise moving quickly to offend the very blue-collar swing voters Barack Obama so famously struggled with in the Democratic primary season.
Go ahead, keep poking hunters, fisherman, gun owners, small towns, rural Americans and hard working families with kids right in the eye. Legitimate questions about qualifications, foreign policy smarts, experience, policy positions, etc. are more than fair game. Feeding frenzies on family members and ways of life foreign to the urban-based commentariat, however, are doing more work on behalf of the Republican ticket than a multi-million dollar national ad buy.
On a related note, we thus probably shouldn't be too surprised that even the known oratorical modesty of John McCain outdrew the One's Barack Obama's acceptance extravaganza in TV ratings.
Then of course there is Palinmania:
According to Nielsen, Palin also attracted 19.5 million women, which is 4.9 million more than watched Biden. And 1.4 million Hispanic viewers watched, which is more than the 1.2 million who watched day 3 of the Democratic convention, even though Univision and Telemundo did not carry Palin's speech last night. In fact, it's also of note that Palin's speech was carried by four less networks than Obama's speech (BET and TV One also showed Obama).
And Palin still drew an audience just shy of Obama's.
Our understanding of the fundamentals of this election has been thrown on its head in the course of a week. Sure, it can obviously change again. But for now it's a brand new ballgame.
Exit question: what will the angry left say if polling early next week shows McCain/Palin inching into the lead?
I mean, Americans couldn't be so stupid as to embrace that working mom hick from the frontier and the old, tottering warmonger...could they?
UPDATE: Most watched convention evah?
Meanwhile, the New York Times tops its coverage of yesterday's post-convention sparring with reports of enthusiasm for the Republican ticket and the resulting large, "raucous "crowds" on the trail. The Politico finds likewise; the lede:
John McCain may have swapped one enthusiasm gap for another.As he touched down in suburbs outside of Milwaukee and Detroit, the just-crowned Republican nominee found himself first on the newly fashioned signs proclaiming the unlikely GOP ticket, but seemingly second in the hearts of the thousands who thronged rallies to catch their first glimpse in person of Sarah Palin.
More powerful perhaps in ultimate impact, however, may be this window into the female portion of the Silent Majority:
More expansive but similarly enthusiastic was Cheryl Hauswirth of nearby Grafton, Wis."She's a real woman, she's a real feminist but she's not strident -- she's like us," said Hauswirth, a middle-aged mother who didn't offer her age. "She's strong, powerful and opinionated, all the things a women should be, while still retaining her femininity, her womanhood."
It's a new race.
Posted by Eric Earling at September 05, 2008 08:59 PM | Email ThisOh. Yes. They. Could.
She IS them. (maybe the MSM will figure that out, one of these days...)
Posted by: Michele on September 5, 2008 09:09 PMBy way of contrast, I have left my neighbor's Obama sign up and undisturbed for a couple of months. Never occurred to me to do otherwise.
My sign will go up again, but only when I can keep an eye on it, of course. Since I now know I can't trust the Obmamatons to be civil, I'll be on my guard. Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, etc. I'll probably add a webcam soon, too, and hope to nab the sucker(s) in the act next time.
In fact, because I know it got knocked down so quickly, it might be worth my while just to lurk in the bushes to suprise the next person who stops to interfere with my First Amendment rights.
Wish me luck. I'm not giving up.
Now I'm a bit more heartened. I think Governor Palin will energize down ticket in a HUGE way!
Her nomination, her introduction last Friday and her tremendous debut (with a record breaking audience) Wednesday has "re-branded" the Republican party.
I expect there is already great demand to have her campaign with everyone in the party.
Posted by: Ragnar Danneskjold on September 5, 2008 09:15 PMClearly they'll screech about the vast right-wing media conspiracy. Again.
Signs here in Crown Hill just have swastikas drawn on them.
You are right. Right after her speech I immediately sent Rossi a big donation. Next week on payday I'll send another too.
I urge every Washingtonian who cares about their state to do the same. You can pay a little now or let Gregoire get in again and you will pay in spades.
Posted by: pbj on September 5, 2008 09:21 PMoh, and let's not forget this 'little' headline on Drudge tonight: "Republican convention was most watched convention on television---ever".
Heehee, you just wonder if Obama's standing there all indignant with his hands on his hips saying "Hmmmpf! I spent millions on my epic greek-columned speech-o-rama and all I got was this dumb T-shirt! (or, barely any ratings bump, perhaps?)
McCain's Acceptance Speech Draws Bigger Audience Than Obama's
"38.9 million people viewed McCain's address to his convention in St. Paul, while 38.4 million watched Obama's speech in Denver, according to the Neilsen ratings. "
"What a week this has been. If you watched last night, I guess you know, Barack Obama got beat up by a girl."
Posted by: Michele on September 6, 2008 01:44 AMSeveral Garbage Bags full of American Flags were discovered at "excel field" in Denver, after the cleanup of Obama's convention.
It is reported they were found near Dumpsters.....
The GOP plans on discussing this on the trail today!
Posted by: Chris N on September 6, 2008 09:17 AMYou need to slow down, and move to an Island with only "your Kind"......
If the sign in my yard said "Screw you Mike" then that would be considered insensitive.
If I have Billions of dollars, it is MY money. And YOU are not my responsibility to feed and cloth. That is YOUR responsibility.
I don't think I have ever read such total ME ME ME, Share, Share, Share, drivel.
Posted by: Chris N on September 6, 2008 09:49 AMNice regurgitation of Marxist talking points, but can you define change? you'll be doing something the Chicago signature gather has yet to do. Define what change is.
"Our wealth is out of balance with asset distribution going to a privileged few.
Asset distribution is a direct result of energy put into something. If you don't get off the couch, Mike, don't get mad at the people that do and make something of their life. they owe you nothing for sitting in front of the TV or Computer.
"people who have large sums of money carry with them a responsibility to ensure that spending benefits all the people."
They already do. They're called your employer you ignorant boob. Name the last time you were hired by a poor guy, Mike.
Obama has the support of ignoramuses like Mike, but fortunately, he isn't a representation of the average American.
Posted by: Rick D. on September 6, 2008 09:50 AMYard signs offend you? Snort.
Posted by: jimg on September 6, 2008 09:52 AMI would love nothing better then to catch one of you scum attempting to steal anything, including a sign you don't happen to agree with, under that truly bizarre concept of "diversity" you morons preach, but never practice.
And, when it comes to "facing facts," the moronically challenged of your ilk seem incapable of understanding what a "fact" is, let alone show any ability to "face" one.
Posted by: hinton on September 6, 2008 09:53 AMThat stuff goes on on both sides.
Posted by: Ryan on September 6, 2008 09:54 AMThanks for the laughs. I thought the people that trashed yard signs were pranking kids with too much time on their hands.
I've heard rumors that there were crazed adult lefties over in Seattle that would do this sort of thing, but I've always had my doubts. Now with your post, it's like I've just seen Bigfoot! LOL. I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't read it myself.
One question for you. By destroying these McCain/Palin signs and keeping your neighborhood "pure", do you consider yourself to be a "Community Organizer"?
Posted by: Smoley on September 6, 2008 10:29 AMI would taunt him yet again, except that's probably also on his list of proscribed activities for conservatives. And I certainly don't want to offend him any more than is absolutely necessary.
Well, not much, anyway.
Posted by: HT on September 6, 2008 10:38 AMThe very fact that you're procreating is disturbing to most...let's hope your children don't turn out to be fascists like their father (whom is threatened by yard signs).
Sieg Heil Mike, you would have made Hitler proud.
HT, lurk in the bushes with your shotgun. When they start molesting your sign, jump out with both barrels leveled their way. Those lefties need a very rude awakening of why we have individual rights and liberties in the first place. The great equalizer FTW.
Posted by: blindman on September 6, 2008 11:18 AMThere's no law against jummping out and yelling "Yeearrghh" in a gorilla mask, is there? I mean, Howard Dean did it and he's still around...
Posted by: HT on September 6, 2008 11:25 AMHAHAHAHAHAH...to that I answer:
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
We all have an absolute right, guaranteed by the Constitution, to incense your feelings and to try to influence your kids. Sorry pal, liberty is tough.
Posted by: blindman on September 6, 2008 11:28 AM"You right wing extremist need to face the facts. The so called 'silent majority' is as stale as a 3 cent stamp, and just as old. We now have an opportunity to support a new culture which has cast their vote for Obama. They recognize the need for functional change where the needs of everyone are addressed. Our wealth is out of balance with asset distribution going to a privileged few. People who have large sums of money carry with them a responsibility to ensure that spending benefits all the people."
What you are talking about is SOCIALISM. It has been tried and it failed. Talk about stale! Like an Egyptian Mummy.
"Though they have a RIGHT to express their views, they don't have the right to incense my feelings while trying to influence my children with such insensitive advise."
Excuse me. They don't a right to "incense your feelings"? You mean like those anti-war protesters that "incense" my feelings?
Yes, they have every right to place campaign signs on their own property. And if you don't like ti too bad! Damn communist.
Posted by: pbj on September 6, 2008 11:31 AMhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/05/heart-van-halen-orleans-j_n_124264.html
People, it's the details. Embarrasing.
Posted by: Just asking on September 6, 2008 11:37 AMBy the way, it is refreshing to read your opinions, you being on the left coast and all. I didn't think there were so many functional intellects still out there.
Posted by: Larry Sheldon on September 6, 2008 11:41 AMWhile Nixon did some good things, he is still the President that oversaw the failure of Vietnam and the one who got caught trying to bug the opposition's headquarters.
He failed as a leader and his failure led to national humiliation.
It took nearly 20 years to reverse the worst of the backlash against his presidency, and the hatred we see today from the left remains as a festering scab of the wounds he inflicted.
Please then do not attach that poisoned term to political center of today.
Posted by: deadwood on September 6, 2008 11:58 AMI don't know that anyone is actually "silent", perhaps a lot of us are hiding in the bushes guarding our yard signs.
Perhaps the most troubling thing about this is the obvious and disturbing distain the socialists have toward our natural desire to limit the government's unrestrained access into our wallets. It points out a vastly contrasting view of personal and property rights. Not to mention the chilling effect that it has on personal initiative and the resulting effect on the general welfare.
Not once have I ever heard a socialist even attempt to proffer a plausible explanation of government increasing wealth. It's all about wrestling over how to divvy it up.
I don't know if those tv ratings include webcasts as well. I watched the entire Palin speech on my computer using the AP feed and also the feed from CBSNews (they also had a post speech webcast with Couric that was really good).
My guess is that Republicans, who tend to be more tech savy, would be bigger watchers of the webcast than Democrats.
"Copyright law may not be on the Wilsons’ side as the song is licensed for public performance under a blanket fee paid by the venue to ASCAP, the firm that collects royalties on behalf of composers and copyright owners."
In other words, HuffPo, known for being a bastion of extreme liberal opinion, may not be the best source of balanced information. Even MSNBC says it may not be bad, and they're hardly pro-McCain.
Posted by: Angela B., Bothell on September 6, 2008 04:49 PMI am amused.
Posted by: pyotr on September 6, 2008 05:43 PMGee, Barack, is THAT how you figure to get the "christian vote"?
Posted by: Michele on September 6, 2008 05:52 PMIn Nixonian terms the "Silent Majority", (fed up with leftist street filling protests which had become increasingly violent and had been taken over by overt communists), won him 49 states in 1972. The "Silent Majority" ushered Ronald Reagan into office twice.
I think the 2008 "Silent Majority" is the entire Republican base, (now energized thanks to Sarah Palin), plus working class suburban and rural democrats who are sick and tired of political correctness, global warming fear-mongering, "green" everything, and the obvious bias they observe when they come home and turn on NBC news and see the anchors sneering at Palin.
Posted by: Bill Cruchon on September 6, 2008 06:41 PMChris N #24: Chris, I don't need to slow down. If you posted a sign "Screw you Mike", I should be able to bring you in front of our courts and request proper compensation for your misguided opinions. I am not hostel, you are.
: Rick D #25: I can clearly define change. Change is something we have need since the early 60's which takes into consideration the needs of all, not the privileged few. I am not Marxist, I am practical. Can't you see the problems around you? Can't we help our fellow man?
I thought I made 'wealth distribution' clear! Asset distribution is the direct result of knowing the right people in a company, not the energy put into a project or job. That's why we have unions, government jobs, and unemployment insurance. As a side note, I will only take a government job, a union represented job or unemployment. Even these opportunities are sometime fraught with favoritism. Therefore, Rick D, I have never been hired by a rich or poor guy...
Rock D., you call me an ignoramus, but if I stick with government/union jobs, I have nothing to loose. Obama has my support because he will stall those who take advantage of my labor or skills.
jimg #26: I'm not sure what a 'parody troll" is. I am not stupid, but concerned about my fellow man. You're probably one of those baby boomers who think that by working hard you're entitled to something better than me. Maybe, I didn't have the time, inclination, or need to work hard. Maybe I didn't have the skills or education. However, my family have the same nutritional needs as yours. Why do look down on me. Don't call me a 'parody troll'.
Posted by: Mike on September 6, 2008 08:04 PMKevin#29 I was happy to make my point clear to you. However, my world is not warped. My opinion is practical. Just look around you. My only regret is that many of my friends don't take the time to support my views. There are many of us, though not as vocal.. If you don't believe me, note who has been in office for several years, ie Jim McDermont.
Smoley #31. "By destroying these McCain/Palin signs and keeping your neighborhood "pure", do you consider yourself to be a "Community Organizer"?" No Smoley, I consider myself a community supporter. One who supports our community, city, county, state, nation, and world. Maybe you should reflect just a little and enjoy the warm feeling you receive when you help and support others. I will not destroy signs. I will attempt to assist these people to be a bit more giving. Where we live, our neighborhood is pure...
: HT #32. Sorry to see that you haven't seen the light yet. I don't remove or destroy signs. However, I laugh at those who post the McCail/Palin nonsense. Have you ever wondered why you are a political minority?
RickD #33. This is a terrible post. I'm sorry you're disturbed that I am hoping for a large family. I will teach them to be sensitive to others, even you, We have wonderful schools that won't allow right wing propaganda like you like to spew on this sight. Change your views Rick, and stop[ being so selfish. You live too well...
#39 You right wingers are always concerned about labels. Socialism is not the issue. Developing a better society is. Why can't you and your friends think about all of us instead of your individual needs and bank account. And, pbi, I do mean the anti war protesters who provide us all with a point of view that must be shared. So call me what you want( 'Damn communist'). I intern call you a greedy capitalist. Get a life..
scot158 #45 Scott, My posts are very real. My only concern is that I don't see any support from some of similar thinking friends. They're probably somewhat intimidated to face this far right wing blog. I'm not, and I'm proud for what I stand for. Furthermore, I will not be silent. It's not 'how to divvy it up' it's called redistribution. Simple as that. I haven't been blessed with the advantages that many of you call hard work, education, etc. I'm more concerned about living life to the fullest, and not keeping score on materialistic accumulation...
Posted by: Mike on September 6, 2008 08:11 PMYour posts incense me. I think you should stop them altogether. Do you agree?
Posted by: Shanghai Dan on September 6, 2008 11:24 PMIn any case, your Marxist views are not shared by the overwhelming majority of Americans. Most people in this country work for a living and they don't want the government to take any more of their hard earned money to support people that refuse to work.
I think if you hopped on a bus and went to neighborhoods outside of your "pure community" you'd find that no one wants this country to become more like France. I'll give it to ya though, that's one of funniest things I've read all week. Au revoir!
Posted by: Smoley on September 7, 2008 08:30 AMI'm offended by your statement that all of us here are more concerned with "materialistic accumulation" when you admit that you are trying to steal some of that "accumulation" for yourself.
How do you explain away the fact that the McCain family has consistently given away, to charities and thereby indirectly, to people like you, over 26% of their sizable income for over 20 years.
What have you done with 26% of your income to directly help those less inclined than you? (besides talk and be perpetually offended)
Reminds me of Pee Wee Herman's movies. Oops, I forgot. His career went south after public masturbation....
But don't let that stop you, Mr Mike...
Facts, reality, history never deter the combination of childish mental illness, er, liberalism..
Posted by: Hank on September 7, 2008 10:08 AMAll socialism does - and that is what we're talking about - is keep most people locked into the classes they're in.
No competition and jealousy.
Just mutated monarchy - still have the few ruling over the many, except now the many have "free" health care until they Logan's Run us at an age to be determined so the health care remains "free."
Wherever there is a jackboot stomping on a human face, there is a well-heeled Western liberal to explain that the face does, after all, have free health care and 100% literacy.
but the non-materialistic one is posting from a computer somewhere.....
Posted by: Sandy P on September 7, 2008 11:11 AMMotherhood and Apple Pie
or
"GOD DAMN AMERICA!"
It's no wonder head are exploding on the left.
Posted by: Andy on September 7, 2008 01:21 PMMotherhood and Apple Pie
or
"GOD DAMN AMERICA!"
It's no wonder heads are exploding on the left.
Posted by: Andy on September 7, 2008 01:21 PM
Posted by Mike at September 7, 2008 11:35 AM
Sounds like mike Works for the Gubberment, and is doing quite nicely for himself.....
Too bad he want's the real working class to pay his portion!!!
Posted by: Chris N on September 7, 2008 01:26 PM