I learned something important about politics from Paliin's speech.

[hvn_nbr_2]

I got home from work just in time for the start of her speech. I turned on the TV to the sound of applause and her saying, "Thank you... thank you..." and I wasn't sure if I got there for the start of the speech or just missed it.

Then she started talking. Snide dishonest cracks, self-righteous certainty, grating "humor," mocking what many people consider good and moral works (e.g. community organizing). And within five minutes, I turned her off. I just couldn't listen.

My take-away lesson:
If people dislike you, they won't listen to what you have to say.

I really didn't like her and couldn't listen. I didn't hear any of the supposed "zingers" that this morning's CorpoPravda rag (AKA newspaper) is fawning over. All I heard was know-it-all chalkboard screeching.

Therein is the wisdom of how the Obama campaign conducted our convention. Michelle turned out to be a wife, mother, woman, American (in no particular order) just like the people watching on the TV, and she shared their concerns and interests. "Lordy, Lordy, Mabel, those black folks is a lot like us. And OMG, she didn't even have a bomb strapped to her chest, like Fox told us she would." Joe Biden is a real person, a family man who commutes to work, has had joys and deep sorrows, lives in a fairly ordinary neighborhood, and cares about people. And so on. Not enough red meat for some of us political junkies. But the fact is, the people that we need to reach were still listening when they came to real issues that affect real people.

[baldguy]

1. "If people dislike you, they won't listen to what you have to say."

Truth - and it works both ways. The GOP is so out of touch with the concerns of mainstream America because they hate mainstream Americans. Bush & Cheney & McCain & Palin all HATE YOU and will do everything in their power to destroy you.

[hvn_nbr_2]

2. I think you're almost right.

I think they only hate those of us who are liberals. But they do hold in contempt anyone who isn't rich like them. After all, if you didn't inherit, earn, or steal millions, you're completely worthy of contempt in their eyes.

[dennis4868]

3. I agree with you...

Also, the media is saying "well, it was her job to attack Obama...that's what VP candidates do." No they don't...they attack their opponents ideas and plans but not a personal attack like she conducted. I think the only thing that came close to being personal during the Dems convention was when Obama questioned McCain's temperament which Repubs in the senate have also quetioned.


I think when the dust settles people are going to realize what Palin's speech was all about...a very shallow one at that...no substance and very personal. My gut feeling on this lady is that he really lacks substance in the same way as McCain.

[BonnieJW]

4. She is the gift that keeps on giving.

She is the best thing that could have happened; don't lose site of that. I've heard her voice described as "shrill" and that's the truth. She is sarcastic and shrill and I don't think you win over many people with that.