Newsbusted on the GOP’s New Website

This is may be the only time in history that HuffPo and the Media Research Center agree on something – how the RNC still doesn’t get it. Jodi Miller also comments on Balloon Boy, kids asking Obama why people “hate him so much,” polling, Rush Limbaugh, senior stimulus, Mike Huckabee, etc..

 

RNC Commercial on Obama Taxes

This RNC video explains how ObamaCare will raise numerous taxes on those that obtain it or don’t obtain it.

RNC ‘Nothing’ Ad

The Republican National Congress has finally spoken out about the Obama Administration stimulus package in an ad called, “Nothing.”

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Steele-ing the RNC

Big fan of Michael Steele’s here. As soon as I found out he was seeking to be Chairman of the Republican National Committee I was on board. I think Steele articulates the conservative vision better than almost any prominent Republican and is exactly the kind of leader the RNC needs. The RNC, along with GOP congressional leadership, has been dropping the ball a lot the last few years and some big changes are warranted.

Steele hit several good points in a conference call this afternoon. The fact that he even held a conference call for bloggers is a sign that he’s ready to take the RNC communications strategy into this part of the 21st century. He described current strategy as (paraphrasing) “Waving the Red, White and Blue and saying send us a check!” My experience with RNC in a nutshell. All these years and they still haven’t figured out I’m not wealthy.

Some highlights:

Stop Whining: It’s time to “wipe that dour look off our faces” now that the election is over. I couldn’t agree more. The election wasn’t a lurch toward liberalism, it was about our failure to lead when given the chance. “Ours is a party whose glass is half full. We’ve spilled a little along the way,” but the outlook isn’t all gloom and doom.

Identity Politics: When asked if he’d be in a better place to critique Barack Obama because he’s an African-American, Steele said, “It’s because I’m an American that I can do that.” Bad policies don’t have color, according to Steele and should be attacked no matter the race or ethnicity of those making the policy. He feels that the party really mishandled this aspect during the campaign.

Democrat Lite: Steele said that if had wanted to be a member of the Democratic party he would have joined it. He’s apparently not interested in leading the party to a permanent seat on the fence.

Party Advocacy: RNC will advocate for GOP leadership as long as they are consistent with the conservative principles of the party.

Do we have a winner yet?

Spending: It’s imperative that legislators understand the money they are spending isn’t their own. Hated the bailout.

Communications Strategy: Steele said this is a “lock and load” moment for Republicans. He wants to build out a communications operation that encompasses every old and new means. He cited the Obama campaign’s brilliance in this area, which is hard to deny. Steele wants to use communication to help decentralize the RNC and make people feel more connected.

Steele also said we should “have some fun” with this. Agreed. New constituents aren’t attracted to the angry idiot in the scary house at the end of the block. We have to stop being the “Get off my lawn!” party.

He spoke about staying true to the issues but reworking the way we say things, which I think has been a need for a long time now. It’s the reason I first noticed Steele. Politics is marketing and our marketing department has been horrible for years.

Time for a new department head. The RNC doesn’t need to promote from within the ranks.

It needs new ranks.

(Cross-posted from America Needs Me)

RNC 911 Video Tribute

Here is the 911 video tribute that got under Keith Olbermann’s skin. The imagery was powerful.

RNC Gets Under Olbermann’s Skin

The Republican National Convention finally got under Keith “Big Mouth” Olbermann’s skin because he felt it was politically incorrect to show video of 911.

Video, Excerpts and Text of Speech by Alaska Governor Sarah Palin (Vice Presidential Nominee to Address the 2008 Republican National Convention)

(Full Text below Excerpts)

SAINT PAUL, Minn. – This evening Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, the Republican Party’s vice presidential nominee, will address the 2008 Republican National Convention. Excerpts from the governor’s remarks, as prepared for delivery, are below.

On her experience as a public servant:

“I had the privilege of living most of my life in a small town. I was just your average hockey mom, and signed up for the PTA because I wanted to make my kids’ public education better. When I ran for city council, I didn’t need focus groups and voter profiles because I knew those voters, and knew their families, too. Before I became governor of the great state of Alaska, I was mayor of my hometown. And since our opponents in this presidential election seem to look down on that experience, let me explain to them what the job involves. I guess a small-town mayor is sort of like a ‘community organizer,’ except that you have actual responsibilities.”

On why she is going to Washington, D.C.:

“I’m not a member of the permanent political establishment. And I’ve learned quickly, these past few days, that if you’re not a member in good standing of the Washington elite, then some in the media consider a candidate unqualified for that reason alone. But here’s a little news flash for all those reporters and commentators: I’m not going to Washington to seek their good opinion – I’m going to Washington to serve the people of this country.”

On energy policies that the McCain-Palin administration will implement:

“Our opponents say, again and again, that drilling will not solve all of America’s energy problems – as if we all didn’t know that already. But the fact that drilling won’t solve every problem is no excuse to do nothing at all. Starting in January, in a McCain-Palin administration, we’re going to lay more pipelines…build more nuclear plants…create jobs with clean coal…and move forward on solar, wind, geothermal, and other alternative sources. We need American energy resources, brought to you by American ingenuity, and produced by American workers.”

On John McCain:

“Here’s how I look at the choice Americans face in this election. In politics, there are some candidates who use change to promote their careers. And then there are those, like John McCain, who use their careers to promote change.”

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Full Text of Speech

Mr. Chairman, delegates, and fellow citizens: I am honored to be considered for the nomination for Vice President of the United States… Read more