The Republicans Find Their Pulse

Blogging is a different form of journalism, if it can be called journalism at all. 

As many have you pointed out, there was a lot of news yesterday and it was undoubtedly an important day in the presidential campaign.  It was a dramatic day outside the conventional hall with the violent demonstrations and tear gas, the revelation of the pregnancy of Governor Palin’s daughter, and Senator McCain and Senator Obama each campaigning off-site. 

The reality is, however, that the “news” happened outside of the hall, leaving me to relay what I saw from the inside.  

Lots of deflation.  That was yesterday.

This morning, I felt this convention’s heartbeat for the first time.  It was at a breakfast sponsored by the New Hampshire and South Carolina delegations.  There were a host of speakers including Senator Dan Coats, Senator Lindsey Graham, Governor Buddy Roemer, Mayor Rudy Giuliani, Cindy McCain, and others.  I don’t want to suggest there was no script or that people spoke without notes, but people clearly recognize that the parade has begun, and that if the parade is going to be worth watching they are going to have to step up and give it their own voice. 

It was a morning that people spoke from their hearts about why they support John McCain, why they are excited about Governor Palin, and what was most striking was that as the morning unfolded, you could feel the pulse of the room come alive.  Even more surprisingly, there was not a negative word spoken about Barack Obama or Joe Biden.   I can’t find in my notes a negative word spoken about the Democrats.  It was a morning when the Republicans realized that the order of the day was to find their own voice and remind each other what they believe and why. 

The press was there in droves and I’ll be utterly fascinated to find out how the event is covered.  Obviously, I heard the speech of politicians: eloquent oratory, bits of stump speeches, and sound bites.  What gave the morning a pulse was that it was fresh.  People were improvising.  They are pulling together in support of a Senator who has not always been welcome at party gatherings and Governor many have never met. 

We are promised three full days of convention beginning tonight, and there is no doubt that much of it is scripted.  There is also no doubt that some of the script is being rewritten presently.  But there is a collective sense of energy coming from delegates and leaders who realize that unless everyone steps up and elevates their game, this will indeed be a parade most painful.

I said yesterday that the Republicans had no rock stars that could compete with the Democrats.  They may prove me wrong.  I’ve heard all this morning's speakers before, and all of them were better than I had ever heard them.  The Republicans know the Democrats laid down the gauntlet in Denver.  The Republicans know they will have to dramatically elevate their game to have a chance.  If they have people who have the ability to do that, it may end up being a parade of great interest. 

Back to the Xcel Center.  With anticipation for a change.