Author: Brian J. Noggle

George Pataki.

Talking about wanting a president who would ask the right question when attacked, “What do we do now?” when the wrong question is “Why did they do they hate us?”

A dig at the Clinton administration for not reacting strongly enough to earlier attacks, given in the form of “I wish they had acted more strongly.”

Partisanship, or sincere hope? If you ask, you impugn Pataki, and Republicans, as Americans and as humans.

George Pataki.

Google allusion, to John Kerry, when he says Kerry has to Google himself to know what his current position is.

Winning one for the Gipper? Good crowd response, but hmm.

Democrats losing one with the Flipper? Perhaps I should wait for the next note in the symphony before judgment.

George Pataki.

So he’s the attack dog tonight, highlighting the contrasts between Bush and Kerry.

Do college professors call them Compare and Attack Dog papers now?

The new “And he did” refrain counterpoints the “But not John Kerry” bit from Steele two nights ago very, very well.

What orchestration!

George Pataki.

Bravo on recognizing contributions from other states after 9/11 and making those delegations stand. The United States of America.

George Pataki.

Am I the only one who thought his promise to be brief was an applause line?

Michael W. Smith is not Lee Greenwood.

And to clarify the rules, I said to Stephen Green about live blogging and drinking, “The first one to incoherence wins.”

Note I am hand coding HTML here, so mistyped tags don’t count.

Mel Martinez.

Crap, there’s the Spanish I couldn’t follow completely. Got the “All is possible”, though.

Also, the night’s first allusion to John Winthrop’s City on a Hill. Unfortunately, I suspect it’s now an allusion to Reagan.

(John Winthrop’s "A Modell of Christian Charity" here.)

Mel Martinez.

Immigrants’ messages strike me differently. They risk everything for an imagined ideal.

Of course, he escaped Cuba, and he’s now espousing socialist benefits for seniors.

(Cut to LA FORGE, sweat beading on his forehead. “I am trying, captain, but these Rhetoricon Crystals vibrate to different harmonics!”)

Mel Martinez.

What, he’s a candidate for Senator, and he gave up an existing government position to run? Well, Frank J. voted for him, so he’s got to be….from Florida.

He’s recounting a story like Arnold’s about a youth in a totalitarian society.

His parents sent him to America? Lucky he’s not some decades younger, or he would have been sent back.

Geez, that dancing kid was a gomer, ainna?

Get the full video onto the Internet, and we’ve got a new phenomenon.

(Yes, I know, I am envious; I don’t have those suhweet moves.)

Brass metaphor competition now open.

Jay Tea: Geez, that’s enough brass to equip a marching band.

Brian J.: Wow, there’s more retired brass on that stage than on the floor of a firing range.

You call it, gentle reader.

Hey, that’s not Michael Williams.

Good twins video. Can I get that on DVD, perhaps a special edition where I can control the angle?

Although after their performance last night, it’s not the people I would have picked to endorse the President’s intelligence. And they made no literary allusions. And they called Bon Jovi old music.

But they’re still all that and a bag of Cheetos.

Why doesn’t the “convention jockey” get her name spelled out? Is she junior to Yohanna de la Torres, or did one of the others….

Pardon me while I go radio silent–here’s a Twins video.

Tommy Franks (cont’d).

Bush has remained loyal to those who served (unlike some who served and came home to testify in front of Congress against them….).

The “I Choose George W. Bush” refrain is an effective speaking device.

Next 200 years of history depend on choices we make today. I’d say its the weight of the trends of the decisions we make now and in the near future, but I’d inject too many nuances into his message.

Tommy Franks (cont’d).

He’s not naming Kerry, but he’s drawing subtle distinctions; Bush did everything to make sure that the commanders and troops had everything they needed (unlike some members of Congress)….

Tommy Franks (cont’d).

Cool, methodical delivery. He’s not doing a Zeller, but he knows that’s not what his role is.

Hope is not a strategy. Very true.

Tommy Franks.

Choose, and choose wisely. Sounds like the last Crusader.

Remained loyal to their country and loyal to the troops….Unlike anyone in particular?

Wow, there’s more retired brass on that stage than on the floor of a firing range.

Introducing Tommy Franks now.