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Cindy McCain, Laura Bush Address RNC

By Jeralyn, Section Elections 2008
Posted on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 05:50:19 PM EST
Tags: Republican National Convention, 2008 (all tags)
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Cindy McCain and Laura Bush spoke at the Republican National Convention today, urging support for victims of Hurricane Gustav.

Originally, President Bush and Dick Cheney had been scheduled to speak but the storm caused them to cancel those plans.

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    Cindy McCain, Laura Bush Address RNC | 31 comments (31 topical)

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    If only a storm could have caused them to (5.00 / 2) (#2)
    by steviez314 on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 05:53:44 PM EST
    cancel their administration.

    The storm? (5.00 / 2) (#4)
    by Ga6thDem on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 05:54:15 PM EST
    Yeah, that's the party line but it seemed to me to be a convenient excuse for McCain to NOT have them at the convention. I had thought that Bush and Cheney being at the convention and having the GOP crowds scream adoringly toward them would be a big boost for Obama. Apparently, the GOP outwitted me on this account.

    These are some crafty people the GOP has on it's side. After Bush, I thought maybe they had lost their touch. It seems that they haven't.

    I think this will play really, really well for (5.00 / 3) (#10)
    by Valhalla on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 06:19:28 PM EST
    them.  Cindy McCain already has a substantial background in charity work, it just reinforces the positive side of her history.

    It's not just about repairing Bush's tarnished image (obliterated image?) from Katrina, but reinforces the very Republican idea that volunteerism and private charity, rather than government infrastructure, can bring aid and relief to those in need.

    It also reinforces the image of women that many people feel most comfortable with -- strong but nonthreatening, compassionate but not demanding -- by giving Laura Bush and Cindy McCain lots of screentime relating to helping people in need.  It's also part of Palin's attraction.

    That, to me, is actually the greater danger to feminists' concerns -- solving social problems without changing the basic societal infrastrucure that causes them, and reinforcing that only a nonthreatening brand of female powerfulness is acceptable -- than the fearmongering article Katha Pollit wrote.

    Parent

    Palin non-threatening? (5.00 / 1) (#18)
    by nycstray on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 06:32:04 PM EST
    She's open and easy to relate to, but I think that's part of her "threat". I don't think they can her "Barracuda" for the heck of it ;)

    Parent
    Obama should not challenge her (5.00 / 1) (#30)
    by Joan in VA on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 06:51:19 PM EST
    to a game of one-on-one for the election, that's for sure.

    Parent
    I'd like to see her debate him (none / 0) (#31)
    by nycstray on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 07:12:07 PM EST
    and a game of one-on-one :)

    Parent
    Or debate him during a game of one-on-one (none / 0) (#38)
    by Valhalla on Wed Sep 03, 2008 at 02:21:21 AM EST
    When I said Palin is nonthreatening, I wasn't overlooking the Barracuda thing.  

    By all indications, she's pretty tough.

    I meant nonthreatening this way: she's got some traditionally male hobbies (the hunting, fishing, etc), which makes her somewhat like them, but her ideology and public statements so far don't in anyway threaten male power.

    Parent

    Exactly (none / 0) (#19)
    by A DC Wonk on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 06:32:42 PM EST
    Unpopular speakers: canceled
    Popular speakers: not canceled
    parties: not canceled

    Yeah, I think I can see the pattern here . . .

    Parent

    You are wrong (none / 0) (#33)
    by delandjim on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 11:18:30 PM EST
    several of the parties were canceled and the money donated to charity instead (NBC)

    Leiberman was canceled too and he is popular with them.

    Bush is threatening an appearance on Thursday now, maybe video.

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    Cindy McCain was dressed to the nines! (none / 0) (#1)
    by bjorn on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 05:53:07 PM EST


    She always looks great (5.00 / 3) (#11)
    by nell on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 06:20:43 PM EST
    Always so pulled together.

    I know this isn't a popular opinion around here, and it would NEVER make me vote for her husband, but I actually like and admire Cindy McCain, particularly the work she has done abroad on behalf of Operation Smile and other charities that she has funded. I admire that she isn't just a distant observer, but that for the past 20 or so years she has made it a point to actually go abroad and get into the trenches while she is there. Watching her interview with Larry King while she was on one of her foreign trips really endeared me to her - she seemed really informed and genuinely passionate about her work there.

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    She (5.00 / 2) (#14)
    by Ga6thDem on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 06:24:06 PM EST
    reminds me of THK who I still like.

    Parent
    And I know this will sound cold (5.00 / 1) (#32)
    by Jjc2008 on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 09:12:10 PM EST
    and snotty but bzillionaires doing charity work, whether it be the Gates or Cindy McCain, simply does not impress me. In fact, I think they SHOULD be doing these things and then some....because they live on obscene amounts of money unnecessary for even a good, good life while people throughout the world are starving, suffering etc.  

    So it does NOT impress me at all.  

    Parent

    Well (none / 0) (#35)
    by nell on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 11:25:46 PM EST
    Good then, she is doing what you expect of her. And just what more would you have her be doing? Can you only admire and respect people who walk in lockstep with your political ideologies? Frankly, I believe there is something to be admired and learned from in most people that I come across, and Cindy McCain is no exception.

    She raised 4 children (with a husband who was often away), taught special education, helped manage her family business, and donates not just millions of her money, but also her time, to really worthwhile endeavors.

    I can disagree with her politics and still admire her as a woman who I believe has contributed something significant to society.

    Parent

    Whatever (5.00 / 1) (#37)
    by Jjc2008 on Tue Sep 02, 2008 at 07:36:30 AM EST
    I don't have to admire Cindy McCain for any thing. I know women and men who barely make ends meet, raise their own families without the help of Nannies and give time and when possible money to feed the poor, get them off the streets, improve the lives of people.  They do it quietly and without the media taking note.

    I never said that these people (the McCains, the Gates, etc etc) weren't doing good. I just don't find it all that heroic or admirable......
    and in my view, I believe they SHOULD be doing these things.

    You want to admire them?  Have at it?  
    And it's got nothing to do with ideology. I don't find it heroic that Clooney or other "left millionaires" do these things either.  I think they SHOULD.

    Parent

    they are both really nice but they (none / 0) (#3)
    by bjorn on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 05:54:01 PM EST
    do not inspire me the way Michelle Obama does.

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    how does Michelle inspire you? (5.00 / 2) (#5)
    by sarahfdavis on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 05:55:00 PM EST


    Parent
    she exudes strength (5.00 / 1) (#6)
    by bjorn on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 05:58:30 PM EST
    and she comes across more genuine to me.  I think she was a little muzzled at the convention reading of the teleprompter.  I like her speeches that are more improvised.  I think she acts more like her true self, while it always feels like Mrs. Bush and Mrs. McCain are playing a role.  Maybe the samething will end up happening to Michelle, I hope not.

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    I think Cindy is just quieter (none / 0) (#17)
    by nycstray on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 06:29:32 PM EST
    on the political front. I find her quite interesting because she doesn't really project her "other" life when standing on the stage. And I don't think it's because she's playing the "wife" role, she's just a doer, not a talker. My take anyway :)

    Parent
    Cindy Mccain (none / 0) (#34)
    by delandjim on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 11:20:59 PM EST
    Two more factoids

    She loves drift racing and she started out as a special ed teacher in Avondale, AZ.

    Parent

    She believes in what shes saying... (none / 0) (#7)
    by prose on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 06:03:54 PM EST
    and has a great feel for the issues of the day.  I'd love to vote Michelle into an office someday.

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    The storm (none / 0) (#8)
    by prose on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 06:06:16 PM EST
    is driving me crazy.  The attempt to rebrand the GOP behind the emotional screen of the storm is a sneaky move.  They get to talk about how together they have it now without having to honestly confront how badly they handled things last time around.  Some of the very people being praised and talking about helping this time (Bush and McCain included) did not do anything of the sort in Katrina or after (McCain has voted against the interests of the people of New Orleans).  So, like the stories surrounding Palin, the GOP gets to used sensitive issues this week for political gain without being called on it.

    Well (5.00 / 4) (#9)
    by Ga6thDem on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 06:11:32 PM EST
    what I predict is that everything will flow smoothly and the GOP will claim "problem solved", blame Katrina on Blanco and pat themselves on the back and the voters will buy it too.

    After the last 2 elections, I put nothing past these people. And the Dems don't seem to take them seriously.

    Parent

    Forgiveness and Lessons Learned (none / 0) (#13)
    by JimWash08 on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 06:23:05 PM EST
    Don't you believe in these concepts?

    Sure, what the Bush administration did or failed to do 3 years ago cannot be forgotten, but it seems that over the last 3 years and 3 three days, they have sought to seek some redemption by evacuating nearly 2 million people from harms way.

    Even the CNN anchors and reporters today, ignoring their journalistic pledge for objectivity, were gushing about how efficiently the operation was carried out without any problems.

    And if you want to blame anyone for Katrina, blame Bush and his minions. Why drag McCain in it? Because if you have any interest in being fair, why don't you drag Hillary and Barack into your argument, because I don't recall that they did anything significant prior to Katrina to warn of the impending dangers and uncertainty.

    Why? Because no one really knew the extent of how catastrophic the storm would be. Also, let's not forget the incompetence of the Democratic leadership of LA (Gov. Kathleen Blanco) and city of New Orleans (Ray Nagin) also played a huge part in the massive and unnecessary loss of life then.

    Parent

    Forgiveness... (none / 0) (#16)
    by prose on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 06:29:23 PM EST
    can come, but should be partnered with admission of wrong-doing, something that we never get from the Bush admin.

    As to McCain, as I said, he voted against the best interests of the citizens of New Orleans.  He has been no champion for Katrina victims.  He is there now, but after Katrina (well after, when it was no longer a drain or distraction) Obama has been to New Orleans more than twice as many times as McCain.

    Things went better this time.  Much better.  And I do applaud that.  But I will not sit quietly while the GOP attempts to "own" this success while ignoring their failure in '05.  They perpetually avoid accountability.  Not this time.

    Parent

    Plenty of blame (none / 0) (#24)
    by oldpro on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 06:43:33 PM EST
    to go around...

    Parent
    Really (none / 0) (#15)
    by Ga6thDem on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 06:28:54 PM EST
    now, we are going to become Bush 2000? If we are going down this route, then we are going to lose the election. Setting it up to be a personality contest is nothing but a loser. Or a contest about some kind of things that aren't relevant.

    It was off topic and deleted (none / 0) (#28)
    by Jeralyn on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 06:45:46 PM EST


    Parent
    links must be in html format or they (none / 0) (#25)
    by Jeralyn on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 06:44:09 PM EST
    skew the site requiring me to delete the comment.

    This post is about today's RNC (none / 0) (#29)
    by Jeralyn on Mon Sep 01, 2008 at 06:48:01 PM EST
    Not everything is about Palin. Please comment on one of the other dozens of threads about her if you have more to say.

    Has Anybody Watched The GOP Convention? (none / 0) (#36)
    by john horse on Tue Sep 02, 2008 at 05:44:34 AM EST
    It seems to me that Tropical Storm (formerly Hurricane) Gustav and the controversies over the selection of Palin have crowded out coverage of the GOP Convention.

    Cindy McCain, Laura Bush Address RNC | 31 comments (31 topical)

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