GOP Convention Day 2 Review

Day two of the GOP Convention is in the books. The last three speakers, Condi Rice, Susana Martinez and Paul Ryan, were excellent. Everyone else was mostly dreadful, including John McCain who should have a restraining order barring him from within 300 feet of the Convention. Over all, day two was excellent for the Republican Party. Anyone undecided voter who watched came away with a positive view of the GOP, if not Romney. At this point, if the GOP can at least get people on board with a positive view of the party they’re in good shape.

Let’s begin with Condi Rice, who delivered perhaps her best speech. She made a compelling argument for American strength abroad but more importantly she tied in domestic issues. Condi is running for President next time around and this speech was the kickoff for that campaign. She is a masterful speaker, capable of tying multiple issues together in a complex manner. Condi argued for American exceptionalism and warned us against self destruction. She declared not even a rising China can harm us like we can harm ourselves. She is absolutely correct. Admittedly when she finished I wondered why she wasn’t the VP nominee before remembering she has an abortion problem.

New Mexico Gov. Martinez was the lead in for Paul Ryan. It must be difficult going after a masterful speaker like Rice, knowing that the VP nominee is up next. Martinez held her own though, she did a fine job. Her best moments were of her recalling her Democrat past, her entire family was Democrat growing up and into adulthood. Then when thinking of running for office two Republicans visited her and talked about basic issues. Martinez and her husband walked away from the meeting thinking “I’ll be damned, we’re Republicans.” A lot of people who haven’t been exposed to the GOP walk away thinking the same thing. She may very well be talking to Hispanic voters with that line but she might as well be talking to the entire country because people of all ethnic backgrounds walk away thinking that.

The selection of Paul Ryan as Romney’s running mate was absolutely perfect and we all got to see why last night. Ryan seemed a little nervous at first, my wife thinks he sounded a little under the weather. His slow start did not overshadow the bulk of his speech, which was phenomenal. But perhaps the most important thing Ryan did last night was tell 2008 Obama voters that it’s ok to make a change. Here are a couple of quotes aimed directly at those people:

It all started off with stirring speeches, Greek columns, the thrill of something new. Now all that’s left is a presidency adrift, surviving on slogans that already seem tired, grasping at a moment that has already passed, like a ship trying to sail on yesterday’s wind.

Ladies and gentlemen, these past four years we have suffered no shortage of words in the White House. What’s missing is leadership in the White House. And the story that Barack Obama does tell, forever shifting blame to the last administration, is getting old. The man assumed office almost four years ago- isn’t it about time he assumed responsibility?

College graduates should not have to live out their 20s in their childhood bedrooms, staring up at fading Obama posters and wondering when they can move out and get going with life. Everyone who feels stuck in the Obama economy is right to focus on the here and now. And I hope you understand this too, if you’re feeling left out or passed by: You have not failed, your leaders have failed you.

Paul Ryan made the case for his Medicare plan, he made the case that he wants to save if while Obama is gutting Medicare by $700 billion. He made the case that the Stimulus failed, that Obamacare was shoved down our throats and that the economy has failed due to Obama’s economic policies. Perhaps most importantly, Paul Ryan looked into the camera and made these arguments. He appeared genuine.

Independent voters are going to love Ryan’s speech, it did a world of good for Romney. Now it’s up to Romney to live up to Ryan’s speech tonight. Mitt needs to focus a little more on foreign policy than Ryan did but the bulk of his speech needs to be about jobs, the economy and Federal spending. Our nation is about to hit the $16 trillion debt mark, Romney would be wise to reference it. If he hits this speech out of the ballpark like Ryan did, the momentum will be on his side entering September.