This was a very effective night for the Republicans–strong speeches from Fred Thompson (where was that during the primary campaign?) and Joe Lieberman, who mischaracterized himself as a Democrat. Thompson gave an effective recounting of John McCain’s biography–did you know that he was a POW?–and some old-fashioned Republican red meat, criticizing Democrats for proposing tax increases for corporations–uhhh, the very sort of tax increases that Sarah Palin successfully imposed in Alaska. (Interesting that he didn’t mention the Democrats’ desire to restore the Clinton tax rates for the wealthy–it must not be testing as well as it did in the past).
Lieberman’s plea for bipartisanship was the weirdest speech I’ve ever seen at a Republican Convention in the Age of Reagan–and not nearly the disgrace that Zell Miller’s was 4 years ago. Much as I’ve come to dislike Lieberman for his warmongering and constant questioning of the patriotism of Barack Obama and the Democratic Party, I’ve got to say that his testimony to McCain’s bipartisanship and his anti-gridlock rant may have hit home in a country sick of hyper-partisanship…even if he was quite inaccurate about Obama’s willingness to reach across the aisle–as his efforts on ethics, non-proliferation and veterans benefits have shown. It is a measure of the weakness of the Republicans this year that the party that has disdained and besmirched Democrats constantly over the past twenty years suddenly wants to make peace.
But the most striking thing about the evening was what was missing: even the slightest wisp of substance. Not even a detailed tax cutting proposal, not even a paean to anti-missile defense or a rant against Iran. The strategy here seems crystal clear–indeed, it was stated today by McCain’s campaign manager, “Issues don’t matter.” The Republicans are gambling that John McCain’s inspiring biography will overcome the overwhelming–80%–feeling that the country has been moving in the wrong direction. They are gambling that people will turn to Republicans to clean up the mess that Republicans made. And they may be right, but I’d guess the euphoria over John McCain’s story will last no longer than the next time most Americans have to pull out their checkbooks and pay the bills.