RightWave

I’ve got to tell you - I’m tremendously confused as to why the “equal pay for women” issue is hot in this campaign.  There’s a new Obama ad running in Virginia that hit’s McCain on opposing equal pay.  That coupled with the prime time spot given to Lilly Ledbetter, bless her heart (see previous post), and a handful of other occurrences makes this a central attack line for the Dems this year.

Yeah, I get that he’s making a strong play for the woman’s vote given the PUMA situation.  But, really?  This is the best you can do.  Didn’t Phyllis Schlafly kick the heck out of that debate like 30-40 years ago?  Frankly, I find it a little disgusting and disingenuous (I guess it’s just politics, right?).  Sure the NOW crazies and hard left feminists have been fighting the fight on this issue, but I haven’t heard it much otherwise in mainstream debate.

Not to mention - I’m pretty darn sure it’s ALREADY illegal to pay women and men (or whites and hispanics, or Catholics and Jews, et al) differently for doing the same job.  Do we need more laws?

I guess I’m just out of touch with my inner woman.

My lovely wife went on a TIRADE in the car the other day when she heard the ad.  Hippie feminist crap makes her do that. It’s one of the reasons I love her so.  But, I suspect she’s not the only one.  It’s one in a long line of lefty ideas that tries to make women victims and tries to create a separate class for women.  (ERA anyone?)

Any women readers out there have a different viewpoint?  Is this a real issue politically (we know it’s a falsehood in real life - see Carrie Lukas’ recent commentary)?  Or a desperate attempt by the Obama campaign to attract PUMAs?  Are they THAT scared of Sarah Palin?

UPDATE: My, again, LOVELY wife, reminds me of this wonderful West Wing scene where <heart flutters> Ainsley Hayes rips into Sam Seaborn about the ERA.  One of my favorite WW scenes of all time.

Thought you might enjoy this “Southern Survival Guide for the East Coast Media Elite” from my hometown newspaper, the Commercial Appeal.  It’s aimed at the hordes of yankees convening in Oxford, Mississippi this week to impart their commentative wisdom.

My favorite passages:

And know that the guy in the pickup who waves at you is just being
neighborly. He may very well know that you’re Anderson Cooper, but he
doesn’t care. That highfalutin’ suit doesn’t impress him. As far as
he’s concerned, you put your pants on the same way he does.

and

We have three drinks in the South. Sweet tea. Coke. And depending
where you’re situated, Jack Daniels or Maker’s Mark. Pick one, and take
it straight.

House wine is not wine. It’s tea. And “tea” down South is sugary
sweet and on ice. Also, we drink Coke. Not Pepsi, not pop, not soda.
This means Coke, Diet Coke, Mountain Dew, 7UP — it’s all Coke.

And the whiskey, well, ‘nuf said.

I miss the South…

Jake Tapscott, who works as an investigative journalist/blogger for ABC News leads today with this criticism of the McCain-Palin ticket:

Combine that with the facts that Sen. McCain has gone 41 days without taking questions from the press corps following him around, and that Gov. Palin has gone every one of  the 25 days since she was introduced to the nation as McCain’s running-mate without holding a press conference.

It all adds up to a campaign that seems to think it should be handed over the keys to leadership of the Free World without having to answer straight-forward, substantive, tough questions from the Fourth Estate.

That’s called lack of accountability.

Which begs the question if a McCain-Palin administration would even hold press conferences.

Really?  That’s the biggest beef?  That they haven’t held a press conference.

I mean, certainly, I think the media has an important role to play in a free society/republic, but I don’t know where in the Constitution it mandates the holding of press conferences.  To me this comes off as whiny and indicative of a press corps that has a tremendously heightened sense of importance. Particularly the so-called “main street media” outlets.

Members of the news media should feel free to dig, root, report and, in the form of commentary, criticize the candidates for positions they’ve held or actions they’ve taken.  But, this “he never returns my phone calls” line of attack is weak and childish.

Did you watch SNL this weekend?  Apparently there’s been some outrage on the conservative side about the skit mocking the New York Times investigative journalists…

One of the journalists in the skit suggests that Todd Palin has an incestuous relationship with his daughters.  Sounds awful, right?  Except, the sartire was focused on the NYT for once, not the Palins in this case.  It was playing on the stereotypes of “backwoods” Alaska that elitist Big Apple-based reporters might believe.

Far be it from me to defend the politics of SNL, but this is one of those times our side needs to take a deep breath and learn to laugh.  It was legitimately pretty funny.

Certainly we have to be watchful that SNL and other laugh-ins don’t become too one sided but also recognize the importance of satire in the political arena. Laughter very often is the best medicine!

Oh, and free speech too!

Apologies for being dark for a few days.  I’ve been on the road for work quite a bit, but I’ll try to do better about keeping up with the posts!

So, did you watch the Palin/Gibson interview?  I haven’t yet seen the whole thing, but I’ve seen bits and pieces, and did see the first part of the 20/20 portion Friday night.  First, let me say I’ll be interested to see how many people actually watched it.  Friday night?  During football season?  Frankly, this is why the “post-game” analyses are relevant - because most folks will hear about it from commentators rather than actually watching the interview…far different than the convention speech. 

My take: Charlie Gibson was a perfect caricature of the “Washington media elites” as Palin likes to call them.  He was snotty, condescending, smart (too smart?) and very ivory-towerish.  He was looking for “gotcha” (and was proud over the Bush doctrine controversy.  Sidenote: see Charles Krauthammer’s take.) and wasn’t going to stop until he got there.

Though, I think what bothers me is not that he was a tough questioner or clearly thinks he’s too good to be in Alaska for the interview (I think he’d rather be in Connecticut or even Minnesota!), but that he wouldn’t act the same way if he were interviewing Joe Biden…or Barack Obama even.  If anyone questions the media double standard that exists, here’s your proof.  When do we get the Biden interview?

An interesting thing will happen though over the next week that must worry the McCain campaign - they’re going to campaign seperately.  Will be interesting to see what the crowds are like at the McCain events vs. the Palin events.  Frankly, I think neither will garner the crowds they got together, but it will be interesting.  Hopefully for the campaign, the McCain ground operation is such in the states where he’ll be next that they can churn out solid crowds.

Three final quick thoughts:

1. First, if you haven’t signed up for Americans for Prosperity Foundation’s Defending the American Dream Summit October 10-11, I’d recommend you do it now!  Early registration ends Monday - only $49!  I’m sure I’ll be writing more about this in the couple of weeks to come!  Featured speakers include: George Will, Senator Jim Inhofe (R-OK), bestselling author Dinesh D’Souza, John Stossel of ABC’s 20/20, Fred Barnes, John Fund and Steve Moore of the Wall Street Journal, Erick Erickson of RedState, and many more.  Check out the site for all the details and to register.  I’ll be there and so should you!

2. Speaking of George Will, be sure to check out his latest column regarding Russ Roberts’ new book, The Price of Everything.  Professor Roberts has written a couple of great novels based on free-market economics, including a love story!  I haven’t read the new book, but I highly recommend anything by this gifted writer.  Will’s column, and presumably by extension Roberts’ book, is highly reminiscent of Leonard Read’s classic essay I, Pencil.  Also a must read.

3. Finally, did you see Carlos Zambrano’s no-hitter tonight against the ‘Stros?  Nice!  (Actually, I didn’t see it per se, as WGN didn’t broadcast it nationally - well at least not here - but thankfully ESPN broke in with the final three outs.)  Go Cubs Go!

A few links for you today on a busy rainy Tuesday:

First, tops the list of the most ridiculous item of the day.  Green sex.  Yep, that’s right.  This isn’t a bizarre spam post.  Treehugger.com has come up with some tips on “How to Green Your Sex Life.”  It’s not for everyone, but it’s certainly, uhm, interesting.  Certainly, you’ll learn something.  Not sure it’s something you want to learn, but hey.  Knowledge!

Yes indeed, the “green” movement is getting out of control.  Well, ok, it’s been out of control, but this is the latest example of its insanity.

By the way, haven’t I heard someone say once “get your politics/morality/policy out of my bedroom!”  Works both ways, I suppose!

Hope you’ve seen the JibJab video on McCain v. Obama.  The Liberty Tree Lantern has it for you here.

Please welcome Ship Wreck to the Blogivists community.  He’s a great American I met this weekend, and I am sure you’ll enjoy his insights and writings.

Gallup has some really interesting numbers on the McCain Convention Bounce.

And, finally, from our friends at The Corner, an interesting point on the fuss made about Sarah Palin’s travel allowances.

Have a great week!

Hello from the Americans for Prosperity Foundation RightOnline Summit in beautiful New Jersey! 

I have to tell you - I’m in a room packed full of free-market activists from across the state of New Jersey (and some from other places!) who are interested in learning to engage in online activism.   I’ve snuck to the computer bank in the back of the room to give a quick update here. 

Folks from every age group and every walk of life.  In fact, a dozen or so folks have already signed up on Blogivists to get their very own blog!  It’s great - the more the merrier right?  We need to build our online army and these RightOnline events are helping to do just that!

AFP Foundation will be doing a series of these RightOnline events across the country - keep an eye out for one in your area.  There’ll also be a big event October 10-11 at the second Annual Defending the American Dream Summit in Washington, D.C.  Be there!

P.S. It has been said that the best orators over the past week or so are folks who say the words “Sarah Palin.”  The same holds true here.  These 150 or so folks attending this training Summit seem to be excited Palin fans - definite applause for any mention of her!

P.S. I still welcome your thoughts on my post on Experience below.

Apparently, there was a sale on silver ties in St. Paul.  Many of the male anchors seem to be wearing them.

My quick take: He got WAY off early on.  He seemed uncomfortable with the prompter, the protesters were distracting and the first part was a little, well, eh.  The middle was so-so.  I think the text was good in the middle, bu the delivery was poor, frankly.  But then, he came alive.  There was a good message, a good cadence, good crowd reaction.  It was very impressive.  The call to service and the call to action was both impressive and inspiring.  I have NO idea how this will play.  At the end of the day, however, McCain was McCain.  He’s not an orator.  He’s a hero, he’s a statesman, and he’s his own man.  He took the party to task in some places - and mostly in the right places.  Now, if he wants to take this to victory, he’s got to hit the road and do his town halls and roundtables and win over voters one by one.  Let’s hope he keeps with the good conservative message, though.  And uses Sarah Palin often.  Your thoughts?

11:18 p.m. - I’ve just learned from CNN that John McCain likes confetti “more than anything else.”  I kind of doubt that, but okay…

I’ll be honest.  I really love these balloons.  Republicans do this so much better than Democrats!

MSNBC: Chris Matthews just predicted a big bump for McCain.  “Americans want to support a winner.”  Interesting…

Nice shot of all the Fox anchors turned around looking at the balloons.  You gotta love them.

I like the fireworks - does it beg comparisons between this and the ACTUAL fireworks at the DNC?

Oh, thank goodness.  Here come the balloons.

COME ON - BALLOONS!  Are we going to have a 2004 DNC moment?

Where are the balloons?  And the families?  Make the celebration happen!

Excellent ending.  If only he’d done that throughout the speech.  But, excellent end.  I have goosebumps, even though I wasn’t terribly impressed with the rest of it.

“Fight with me.  Fight for what’s right for our country.”  GOOD - KEEP TALKING!  This cadence is great!

11:00 p.m. “I wasn’t my own man anymore.  I was my country’s.” (P.S. My wife says he sounds like Casey Kasem.) 

Hey, we’ve got some crying folks, too!!  Not just the provence of “The One.”

I do wish he’d do better about talking through the applause - only stopping at the right times.

Nice visual with the servicemen giving the standing ovation.

He seems very comfortable now.  The cadence is better, his voice is better, his eyes are better connecting.  He does seem more grown up than Senator Obama, no question about that.

“I hate war.”  Good.

This should be the best part of the speech.  This is where Senator McCain shines.

I don’t think I heard Cap and Trade mentioned.  That’s good, I guess!

DRILL DRILL DRILL

10:43 p.m. “Help bad teachers find another line of work.” I LOVE IT.  That may be the line of the night so far.  Smack around the NEA some more!

Woo hoo - shout out for school choice!  Preach on.

He needs to do this “I will…He will” section with a bit more umph.   Sadly, it’s clear there’s a big gap between the oratory skills of Palin and McCain.  But, the substance is pretty good.

10:38 p.m. I like this “we believe” section. Define the Republican party.  This is a section that’ll both rile the crowd but also define the broader priciples for the viewing audience.  Good.  I wonder how many people are watching?

“The Party of Lincoln, Roosevelt and Reagan is going to get back to basics!”  Good!

We’ve got a little economic populism going here.  Not that I always agree with it, but I think, at this point and time, it’s effective. 

Good, now we’re getting into his accomplishments - which tie directly into the vision.  This is much better.  He is speaking with conviction (even deviated from the text there for a bit on the earmarks issue) and better rhythm.  Also, a MUCH better background.

Boy, I think it’s a mistake for McCain to spend time taking about Gov. Palin.  She had her night.  Focus on your agenda, your plans, your vision. 

Biggest applause line of the night so far for Palin.

Wow.  This is not good.  The crowd needs to stop chanting and ignore the protesters.

HOW DID THESE PEOPLE GET IN???

10:22 p.m. - The folks I’m watching with just pointed out we should start the “my friends” drinking game.

I don’t like this background at all.  I’ll be honest - it does seem a little small - this whole night.  One can’t help but make mental comparisons to Obama’s speech event.

Perhaps Governor Palin could take a few warning shots at the protester?  Why do the networks feel the need to show them and give them credence?

Shouting down the protesters.  The Left really is classless.

Why is the background bright green?

Brokaw: “He knows he can’t top Sarah Palin from last night or Barack Obama from last week.”  Ugh.

A few initial observations.  The podium mirrors the traditional Presidential podium.  His appearing on the stage was, perhaps, a little too dramatic.  I’m on NBC - Tom Brokaw and Brian Williams talk over the applause.  Talking about age.  Shut up.  Let this moment happen.

10:12 p.m.  Here comes the Mac.

MORE FRED! 

Nice “sea to shining sea” imagery.  “The change will come from strength from a man who found history in a tiny dank cell thousands of miles from home.”  The change drinking game should start now…

You know, even though we’ve heard it before, every time I hear the fact that he was a POW for more than five years.  It really is incredible - I can’t fathom how you make it through that.  I really can’t.  Regardless of everything else, it is a remarkable story - and a remarkable life.

Here we go with the video…

10:02 p.m.: Getting ready for John McCain’s speech.  Cindy’s speech was…ok.  But I was having a hard time paying attention.  I wonder if Sarah Palin still steals the show, even tonight.  McCain really needs to shine.

Experience.  Yep, that “E” word.

With all the talk about Senator Barack Obama and Governor Sarah Palin and all their various experience”(or, of course, lack thereof), it got me thinking.  What is it we expect of a Presidential candidate?  What is the “right” experience?  Is it about quantity or quality?  Is it a specific set of things - boxes one must check?  I certainly don’t know what I think the “right” experience is.

And isn’t “President of the United States of America” a pretty unique job?  Is there any experience that can really prepare you for it?

I suppose I tend to value executive/leadership experience over legislative - whether it’s in the private sector, in politics or in the military.  Primarily, though, I’m casting my vote for the person I think would make decisions closest to what I think I would make in similar situations.  To me, it’s important to know that the person has a “quality of leadership” that would allow them to process information and make a good decision - and in a timely manner.   More ideology than experience, really.

It’s the same strategy I take in making hiring decisions in many ways.  I understand that the folks I’m interviewing very often don’t have (necessarily) tremendously analagous experience to the position I’m hiring.  They show the qualities and capabilities necessary to perform the job functions.  And, indeed, some base level of experience is valuable, no question.

I suppose I value the McCain/Palin ticket - at least on the experience front - based on a few factors: McCain’s military leadership and long history of political involvement (though that’s not always a positive), Governor Palin’s specific political leadership as a Governor of an oil-rich state and Mayor of a town.  These are all positions where decisions have to be made and executed - then consequences paid.

I’m not sure I feel the same way about Barack Obama and Joe Biden. There’s nothing I can point to with either of them that’s particularly noteworthy.  But, I’m certainly open to challenge.  At the end of the day, though, it’s about ideology.  I’m not going to vote - ever, regardless of experience - for someone who believe like Senators Obama and Biden do.  Never.

What do you think?  Are there experience factors I’m missing?  Should there be a formula for evaluating the “right” experience?  Are there specific qualifying factors - or, alternatively disqualifying factors?

Or, at the end of the day, is this a “red herring” for the media - and detractors of whomever the public official or candidate is - to beat up on someone?

I’m not sure - what do you think?

As I was re-reading the speech this morning, another line caught my eye:

“We met in high school, and two decades and five children later, he’s still my guy.”

I think that’s a really powerful line.  The simplicity of “he’s still my guy” and the great smile that went with it were pure magic.  And the honest adoring glances between Sarah and her husband (note I didn’t refer to her as Governor Palin in this instance).

That with the hand-licking scene by the little Palin girl.  Find a mom or dad who wasn’t moved by that!

The amazing thing was that she was able to seamlessly be both loving wife and mom AND in-control Governor.  She’s a real political talent, there’s no doubt.  A great partner for John McCain and a current and future star.  Frankly, the more I reflect, the more impressed I am.