THE TYGRRRR EXPRESS

One day before 9/11, the only leader that comes to my mind is former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani.

One year ago, on Tuesday, 9/11, 2007, Rudy Giuliani gave a rousing speech at Sean Hannity’s 9/11 Freedom Concert in New York. Actually it was at Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey, but that counts as New York. I backed him for President, and hope he is given serious candidate for Attorney General or Secretary of Defense in a John McCain administration.

https://tygrrrrexpress.com/2007/03/why-rudy-is-right/

I met him a couple weeks later, and was thrilled to see and hear a true leader.

https://tygrrrrexpress.com/2007/10/my-meeting-rudy-giuliani/

Several weeks later he gave a phenomenal presentation at the Republican Jewish Coalition 2008 Candidates Forum.

https://tygrrrrexpress.com/2007/10/rjc-in-dc-rudy-giuliani/

His speech at the 2004 Republican Convention was an A+.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,130670,00.html

He was just as fabulous in 2008.

Rudy Giuliani came out fighting, and decked the democrats right across their Kumbaya singing, surrender loving faces.

“People decide the President, not the left wing media or Hollywood celebrities.”

“If two men were applying for a job, I would look at their resumes. So let’s compare their resumes and qualifications for the job.”

“One has dedicated his life to service of the United States. Everyone acknowledges that John McCain is a hero.”

“He loves America as we
all do. He has sacrificed for America as few do.”

“He has proved his commitment with his blood. He earned a life of peace and preservation. Instead, he went into public service.”

“The other applicant is a gifted man with an Ivy League education.”

“He worked as a community organizer. That is the first problem on the resume.”

“He is immersed in Chicago machine politics.”

“Nearly 130 times, he voted ‘present.’ He couldn’t make a decision. It was too tough.”

“I didn’t know about voting present as the Mayor of New York City. Executives can’t vote present. It isn’t good enough. You have to make decisions.”

“He is a celebrity Senator. His rise can only happen in the United States of America.”

“He has never run a city. He has never run a state. He has never run a business. He has never run anything. He has never led. Nothing! Nada!”

“Substance is more important than style. This is no time for on the job training. We agree with Joe Biden this one time until he flip flopped on this one as well.”

“Nothing nature throws or that terrorists bring will rattle John McCain. We and our children and our country will be safe in the hands of John McCain.”

“The other side believes that if you don’t like the facts, just change them.”

“Change is not a destination, and hope is not a strategy.”

“In four days in Denver, the democrats did not one time say the words Islamic terrorism. Are they afraid to insult terrorists? They rarely mentioned 9/11. They are living in a state of denial. If you deny a problem, and then don’t deal with a problem, then you can’t face the problem.”

“McCain can face the problem and win, and bring victory.”

“When the democratic party gave up on Iraq, they gave up on America.”

“They said that the war is lost. Lost? If America lost, who won? Al Queda and Osama Bin Laden won.”

“On the single biggest issue, John McCain got it right, and Barack Obama got it wrong.”

“As for change, how many times did we see Barack Obama change? On public financing, he said he would participate and then broke his word and opted out. On wiretapping he changed his position. He said he was in favor of an undivided Jerusalem, and the very next day changed his position. If I were Joe Biden, I would get the VP thing in writing.”

“John McCain said that we are all Georgians. Barack Obama began by creating a moral equivalancy between Georgia and Russia, the same way he created a moral equivalancy between the Palestinian Authority and the State of Israel. After discussing the issue with his 300 advisers, he then turned to the U.N. Security Council for a solution. None of his advisers told him that Russia has a U.N. veto. He then changed his position to the position of John McCain. I have advice for Obama…Next time, just call John McCain.”

“Sarah Palin is the future. McCain looked forward. Obama reached back to the past.”

“Sarah Palin has more executive experience than the entire democratic ticket.”

“Wasilla, Alaska, is not cosmopolitan. It is not flashy enough. Maybe they cling to religion.”

“On Palin’s first day as Mayor she had more experience than Obama.”

“How dare they question whether Palin has time to be VP and spend time with her children.”

“We are the party that gives workers the right to work, and parents the right to choose their schools for their children.”

As 9/10 of 2008 turns into another 9/11, I mourn the loss of my fellow New Yorkers. I thank almighty God that some men such as George W. Bush, John McCain, and Rudy Giuliani are actually willing to do something about making sure that those that committed this act, financed this act, or contributed to worldwide terrorism in any way, are brought to justice.

For those that are not still enraged, go look at the hole in the ground. I will see it again in a couple weeks, and well up with anger.

This is the world we live in. Violent Radical Islamofacism is the beiggest threat that faces the world today. Nothing comes a close second.

It must be eradicated, one murderous zealot at a time.

Nothing less is acceptable.

Rudy Giuliani understands this.

His speech may hurt the feelings of some people.

Those people mean nothing to me. I want their feelings hurt.

One thing has not changed. Rudy Giuliani remains right.

eric

I had the pleasure of meeting Senator Fred Thompson at the 2008 Republican Convention in Minneapolis. He was speaking at a blogger brunch. Later that evening he gave a stemwinder for John McCain that would have made Zell Miller proud.

I first met Fred Thompson in October of 2007 at the Republican Jewish Coalition 2008 Candidates Forum.

https://tygrrrrexpress.com/2007/10/rjc-in-dc-fred-thompson/

I asked him a tough question, and his answer was brilliant. I then took a picture with him and his wife.

Although I was not an original Fred head, I absolutely respected him as a top tier candidate.

https://tygrrrrexpress.com/2007/03/from-the-king-of-the-hill-to-the-white-house/

His remarks to the blogger brunch were fabulous.

“Politics makes you long for the sincerity of Hollywood.”

“Will I serve in a John McCain administration? I can’t answer that at this time.”

“Being a community organizer must be very important. It might be equal to being Governor of a State.”

“Who says you don’t get experience by being a Senator? Has anybody observed the gallery?”

“The media gives a pass to Senators. Being a Senator does not give you any Foriegn Relations experience or any Foreign Policy experience.”

“As for Sarah Palin, she does not have experience making wrong decisions about Iraq. She does not have experience making wrong decisions about the surge. It was Joe Biden that had a three state solution that was wrong.”

“The media understands William Ayers. How smart do you have to be to understand that bombing the U.S. Capital is wrong?”

“Obama’s educational policies are a waste. They are a waste of money, and we pay for it.”

After his speech I let him know that I was at the RJC Candidates Forum, and that I appreciated his staunch and unwavering support of Israel.

I spoke with his legislative aide about setting up an interview, which hopefully will come through.

As enjoyable as he was with the bloggers, the red meat he offered during his prime time convention speech reminded me how much I liked him. He nailed it perfectly.

“What is going on in the Gulf  Coast is important, but so is this convention. This is about electing the next President.”

“We are the strongest, freest, most prosperous nation in history.”

“Sarah Palin is a breath of fresh air. She is a small town girl with small town values, which is not good enough for some. Others attack her family.”

“She governed, while others sat around on the Sunday talk shows.”

“The other side is in a state of panic.  She is not afraid of upsetting the establishment.  Does that sound like anyone else?”

“She is the only one I know to take down a moose. Well, except for maybe Teddy Roosevelt.”

“Forget alligators getting irritated. John McCain and Sarah Palin will drain the swamp.”

“Barack Obama doesn’t want to tax people. He only wants to tax businesses.” So unless you buy something from a business, such as food, fuel, or medicine…or work for and collect a paycheck from a business…don’t worry, it won’t affect you.”

“Look at John’s 96 year old mother Roberta McCain. had she been captured, the North Vietnamese would have surrendered.”

“John McCain had rebellious parents. I bet you can see where this is going.”

“He broke his dad’s record for demerits, not realizing this may not be seen as a good thing. Yet even as the leader of a rebellion, he never violated the honor code despite the demerits.”

“If you want to know what John McCain values, just look at the men in the military today.”

“We hear about hope. John McCain knows about hope. That was all he had.”

“When ordered by his captors to give up the other men in his squadron, John McCain gave his captors the names of the offensive line of the Green Bay Packers.”

“His bones were broken, but his spirit never was.”

“Being a POW doesn’t qualify a man to be President, but it does reveal character.”

“Civilizations since the beginning of time have sought this type of character in a leader.”

“The question must be asked of all who seek the office. Who is this man? Can we trust him to seek the Presidency?”

“John McCain went to Iraq to seek the truth, not publicity. He said no to President Reagan on Beirut. That’s character you can believe in.”

“He has worldwide respect, not a teleprompter speech to our critics abroad.”

“We stand with John McCain. We salute him.”

I salute Fred Thompson. He would make a fine Attorney General in a McCain administration. Then again, as he reminds us, given how beautiful and friendly politics can be, he might just opt for the safe, cozy, and kind existence of Hollywood.

I hope not. America needs top caliber people, and Fred Thompson stands tall in the saddle.

eric

Several fine individuals addressed the 2008 Republican Convention in Minneapolis.

Former Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge gave a serious address.

“Some actually questioned his resolve. They were waiting for that white flag of surrender. He looked at me and said, ‘Tom, you and I both know I have been through worse.'”

“He spread some papers across the table and said, ‘Let me tell you how I think we can.'”

“That’s John McCain.”

“Where some people see defeat, John McCain pursues victory.”

“John knows you run to win, but you win to govern. So who but John McCain but John McCain understands that America’s security and prosperity are tied to the security and prosperity of the rest of the world. He has already earned the trust and admiration of the rest of the world.”

“We need a leader who fits the times, not merely a candidate who feels its his time to lead.”

“It’s not who can take a 3am call. It is about who has answered the call throughout his entire life.”

“It’s not about building a record. It’s about having one.”

“It’s not about talking pretty. It’s about talking straight.”

“The challenge of our times is not simply to change. It is to leave nothing to chance.”

“He does not think in red versus blue. He only thinks in red, white, and blue. That’s John McCain.”

“He always puts his country first. A Reagan conservative, an optimist, a go to guy. That’s John McCain.”

“I’m so very proud to say that’s my friend. That’s John McCain.”

South Carolina Lindsay Graham had a lot to say. His state knows more than a thing or two about the military.

“This speech is for the troops. By every measure, the surge has worked.”

“15 out of the 18 political benchmarks have been met by the Iraqi government.”

“This week, Anbar province, once an Al Queda stronghold, has been returned to the Iraqis.”

“I promise you, above allothers, Al Queda knows the surge has worked. The only people who deny it are Barack Obama and his buddies at Moveon.org.”

“Why won’t they admit i? Because Barack Obama’s campaign is built around losing in Iraq.”

“The soldiers gave Senator McCain something he knows a lot about…straight talk.”

“Some said that calling for more troops was political suicide. You know what? It was the right thing to do.”

“We came within 2 votes of a Congressionally mandated surrender. One democrat broke ranks. Thank God for Joe Lieberman.”

“It was John McCain that stopped the democrats from losing this war.”

“Those who voted to cut off funding will be footnotes in history. We are on the road to victory, we are winning, and America is safer.”

“Barack Obama preaches his support of the troops, but will not acknowledge their success. The troops have worked too hard for a patronizing pat on the back.”

“If Barack Obama cannot appreciate that we are winning in Iraq, he should not be Commander in Chief. I am not saying he doesn’t care. I am saying he doesn’t get it.”

“We should all be grateful that Barack Obama was unable to defeat the surge. The surge was a test for Obama. He failed miserably.”

Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee then served up some of his bonhomie as only he can.

“John McCain will follow the fanatics to their cave.”

“Some of you enjoyed Barack Obama’s Excellent Adventure to people overseas who don’t vote.”

“It’s not what he took. It’s what he brought back…European values.”

“It was Abraham Lincoln who said that ‘A government that can do everything for us is a government that can take everything away from us.'”

“My family was not rich. My dad worked hard.”

“The only soap we had in my house was lava. It did not make for a good shower.”

“I’m not a republican because I’m rich. I’m a republican because I don’t want to end up poor waiting for the government to rescue me.”

“Sarah Palin had more experience as Mayor of Wasilla than Joe Biden had running for President.”

“John McCain is not marked by what he wants to receive, but by what he has already given.”

“John McCain is one of the people who fought for freedom so I could have a school desk.”

Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney offered some red meat for the crowd.

“For decades, the Washington sun has been rising in the East because that is where the elites are. It should rise in the West, from Arizona.”

“Barack Obama is a liberal. Only a liberal could favor giving Gitmo detainees more rights than that of U.S. citizens.”

“Only a liberal could favor the teachers unions over the students.”

“Only a liberal could favor doing nothing on energy over investing in nuclear power.”

“I spent 25 years in the private sector. Liberals don’t have a clue. They think economic growth comes from government.”

“America can’t lead the family of nations if we can’t grow.”

“Dependency is death to initiative. We must government dependency like the poison that it is.”

“The part of big ideas is better than the party of big brother.”

“China is acting like Adam Smith on steroids. This is no time for timid liberal empty gestures. We need to take a weed whacker to government regulations that cripple businesses.”

“We need to stop the Tyrannosaurus Rex of unions.”

“We can save energy. Let’s keep Al Gore’s private jet on the ground.”

“Republicans believes that there is good and evil. Radical violent Islam is evil, and John McCain will defeat it.”

“The democrats didn’t talk about evil last week. Straight talk is better than politically correct talk.”

“We will never allow America to retreat in the face of evil extremism.”

“Just like you, there was never a day that I wasn’t proud to be an American.”

Connecticut Senator Joseph Lieberman did his part to calm the crowd. After all, noise control is important, and it is difficult to sleep at a convention when people are yelling and screaming with excitement.

“We are all members of our larger family.”

“As for George Washington, we are living the worst nightmare in the city that bears his name.”

“God only made one John McCain, and he is his own man.”

“If John McCain is just another partisan republican, then I am Michael Moore’s favorite democrat.”

“As for Barack Obama, eloquence is no substitute for a record.”

“Obama voted to cut off funding for the troops on the battlefield.”

“John McCain authorized the surge. Thousands of our trops are coming home with honor.”

“John McCain is a man that our allies will trust and our enemies will fear.”

“These are no ordinary times, and John McCain is no ordinary candidate.”

Tom Ridge, Lindsay Graham, Mike Huckabee, Mitt Romney, and Joe Lieberman are all good men. They are men of integrity with success in their various endeavors.

So why are none of them on the ticket?

Because none of them should be.

Tom Ridge is the most plausible of the 5 men. Every 4 years he is mentioned as a possible candidate. He is a Catholic, a powerful coveted voting bloc. He is a respected former governor that would instantly make Pennsylvania a likely win. His stint heading the Department of Homeland Security gives him credibility on Foreign Policy.

Unfortunately, he is pro-choice on abortion. This by itself would be less of a liability if he was more charismatic. If Rudy Giuliani cannot make it on the ticket, than the republican party is not ready for Tom Ridge.

Lindsay Graham should be beloved in the party because of his stint as one of the impeachment managers a decade ago. He delivered the best line of the entire process when he spoke of President Clinton. “The White House is a bully pulpit, but it should never be occupied by a bully.”

The downside is that South Carolina is a solid republican state. There is no strategic advantage. A bigger downside is that Graham is also a Senator. Tickets need executives, not legislators. Yet the biggest problem with Graham is that he is also a maverick. From supporting McCain-Feingold campaign finance reform to participating in the Gang of 14 on judges, Graham has enraged the base. He also enrages the base on illegal immigration. His nickname is Lindsay Grahamnesty.

Mike Huckabee has a good sense of humor, and is self deprecating in the same manner that Ronald Reagan was, an important trait.

Having said that, he is a disaster for everybody except the social conservatives. As a tax raiser, the Wall Street Journal Conservatives would be in a state of open revolt. Additionally, his hard line stances on social issues make him qualified to lead rural Iowa and nothing else. The democrats would paint him as a knuckle dragging neanderthal, leading to a democratic landslide.

Mitt Romney is a successful business executive who rescued the Olympics. Then again, rescuing the Olympics can be positive or negative depending on how one views those colossally boring games. Mitt Romney would make an excellent attack dog, a quality for a Vice Presidential candidate.

His downsides are numerous. For one, the democrats would paint him as a flip flipper because some of his positions changed when he decided to run for President. Evangelicals may or may not be willing to vote for a Mormon. Yes, this is bigotry, but bigotry exists. Yet the biggest problem with Romney is that his own success would be used against him. During tough economic times, a multimillionaire preaching personal responsibility and tough love would be a disaster. Democrats are masters of class warfare, and Romney would be easy to attack.

As for Joe Lieberman, he should be chosen if the republican party is out of its (redacted) mind. He is a lifelong democrat, who even as an independent, still caucuses with the democrats. He is dead right about the War on Terror and dead wrong about most everything else. To be on the republican ticket, one has to be a republican. Also, Lieberman is mind numbingly boring. He does put Florida in play, but puts people to sleep most everywhere else.

With John McCain as President and Sarah Palin as Vice President, there are roles for the rest of these fine men.

Mitt Romney would be a great fit as Treasury Secretary.

Mike Huckabee could be Secretary of Education, or head up the President’s faith based initiatives program.

Joe Lieberman could be Secretary of Defense, or Secretary of State if he wants to help Simon Wiesenthal clean out anti-semitism from its most hateful locations. Unless McCain secretly hates Lieberman, the Defense job would be a good reward.

Tom Ridge could be the head of the National Security Council.

Lindsay Graham could be the head of Veterans Affairs.

We shall see.

eric

Saturday is usually a day for lighthearted human interest stories, and this Saturday will contain my sacred annual National Football League analysis (in a separate post) where I make my predictions that end up quickly being off the mark. I try to avoid politics. However, the heat of the moment from a pair of back to back conventions has my blog taking an approach that is anything but conventional.

This wrap up will actually not be the last word on the subject. I conducted so many interviews with so many politicians and media personalities that I will have enough material to get through the election already. It might get to the point where I am offering the predictions of others on Election 2008 after the election itself. Nothing benefits a blog like obsolete material.

Before giving out letter grades to the speakers, warm fuzzy memories can be offered before Monday, when the politics heats up again (Sunday is NFL time).

I also made friends I will have for life, and that is more important than any political event.

Even the politicos that could not grant me an interview on the record either due to legal and contractual reasons or time constraints were kind towards me when I told them things they may not hear on a daily basis.

Actor Stephen Baldwin gave me a hearty handshake when I pointed out that I knew nothing about the entertainment industry, but loved him on “The Apprentice.” I admired his ethics.

Correspondent Andrea Mitchell is not somebody I know much about, but she is married to Sir Alan of Greenspan. I told her that in my mind, her husband saved this country 20 years ago. People do not realize that the 1987 stock market crash could have wrecked our economy. Greenspan’s quick action staved off a financial meltdown.

Jim Angle of Fox News was very friendly, but was unable to be interviewed. The same was the case with Bill Schneider of CNN. I told them I was a republican blogger, and their positions require a neutrality that they cannot compromise. Others did the interviews but would not state preferences, only analysis.

Alan Colmes of Fox News was a decent enough guy. I say decent enough because it was midnight, and he was exhausted. I told him that I was a republican blogger who disagreed with him most of the time, but that I found him to be a decent and thoughtful man. He was being accused of taking cheap shots at Sarah Palin and her family. This was not the case. Many liberals do get vicious, and Alan Colmes had criticized them. He appreciated my defending him, although I again reminded him that I was on the other side.

Brett Baier of Fox News was genuinely touched when I offered prayers for his family. He and his wife had a newborn baby daughter that barely survived, and thankfully the child is better now. May God bless the Baier family.

Of all the people who had an impact on me during the experience, radio legend Hugh Hewitt topped the list. Hugh Hewitt is also the preeminent blogger in the country, the father of political blogging.

I did an interview with him that I will publish in several days. However, I did not want to wait any longer to publicly thank him for giving a lesser known blogger a shot at the big time.

Mr. Hewitt allowed me to be a guest on his radio show for 2-3 minutes to promote my blog. After I was done, my email inbox was flooded, and not just with people trying to sell me the key to refinancing my viagra purchases to be used while playing online poker with no money down.

I have a reputation for being sophomoric, but I played it serious and professional on his show.

Mr. Hewitt even went one step further. He provided a link to my column yesterday on Sarah Palin being the second coming of Margaret Thatcher. This time it was my blog traffic that exploded. I had my third best day of hits ever. I hope Mr. Hewitt forgives me for getting 5 more hits from a Mark Steyn link, although I can always demand a recount. My best day was from Super Tuesday just after the Superbowl when I compared Barack Obama to Eli Manning, bringing in sports nuts and the politicos.

I am grateful for Mr. Hewitt’s willingness to risk his entire brand on a maverick in the blogging world.

I hope that by providing a link to him, I can increase his traffic as well.

http://hughhewitt.townhall.com/blog

I would also like to extend a hearty thank you to radio personality Armstrong Williams.

http://www.armstrongwilliams.com/

Armstrong is an unapologetic conservative, and has a great sense of humor to boot. I will publish my interview with him in several days as well.

He allowed me on his radio show as well, and he gave me about 10 minutes, a staggering amount of time for a neophyte. On this one I was a little more lighthearted, but did not say or do anything that ended his career. He is still on the air. He has talked about checking in with me from time to time about having me on again. Whether or not time allows for that, he was wonderful to give me the boost to begin with.

One person that I did not see at the convention, which was a tad disappointing, was Biff Henderson from the Late Show With David Letterman. I do not agree with his politics, but from a comedy standpoint, I love Dave. I do not like when he takes his shots at republicans, but otherwise, his New York edge is enjoyable. His stagehand Biff Henderson is “everyman,” and I hope to interview him one day. Then I hope they have me on the show. That is a hint Dave.

Yet of all the things that I will take away from this convention, the friendships I made with fellow bloggers and others was what was paramount. I had communicated with them on the internet, and in rare cases by telephone. It was nice to meet them in real life.

Chad Everson of the Grizzly Groundswell Network organized an entire group of republican bloggers together and unleashed us on the world, or at least Minnesota.

www.grizzlygroundswell.com

Doug Welch, also known as Stix, is now a friend for life. Hanging out with him was awesome.

http://stix1972.typepad.com/

It was Stix, and Tygrrrrs, and Bears, oh my!

It would be impossible to talk about these guys without talking about where we slept. 30 years from now I will smile and tell people that for an entire week, I slept in a sports bar. Yes, you read that correctly. Stix and Grizzly slept on the floor of a designated area, one guy had access to sleeping on the stage, and I slept in the loft with the Chicago Cannonball. My views do not express hers. She went home after 2 days as scheduled, and I slept alone in the loft the last 3 nights on her air mattress.

If Stix and Grizzly are reading this, please mail her the mattress so she does not shoot me.

We had full access to the bar. I drank diet coke and ate pizza at 2am. It was like going back to college. In fact, it was like the movie “Old School,” with Vince Vaughn, Will Ferrell, and Luke Wilson. The whole weekend I kept saying, “Blue! You’re my boy Blue! You’re my boy!” I also at least once a day turned to Stix and Chad and said, “Can you believe we are living in a sports bar?”

This truly was fantasy camp. I would like to thank Brad the owner and his son Josh. If you are in Downtown Minneapolis, go there and get some excellent tasting pizza.

http://www.linwoodpizzamn.com/

Some other blogger friends that hung out with us included Dr. Bill from Arkansas. He is a genuinely nice and fun guy.

http://arkansasgopwing.blogspot.com/

Pastor Ed Boston, aka Cyber Pastor, and his wife showed up. They are both lovely human beings with good hearts. Sheridan Folger is Irish, and proud of it. He is also highly entertaining.

http://dotherightthing-cyberpastor.blogspot.com/

Steve at No Runny Eggs drove for hours to meet us, and I regret that I only got to see him for a few minutes. I was having a private romantic dinner with the Chicago Cannonball, which trumps politics.

http://norunnyeggs.com/

This probably would have turned into a fraternity party (actually it did most of the time) were it not for the civilizing influence of a lady blogger. Howard Stern has Robin Quivers. We had Skye from Flopping Aces. She is a master of photography and blogging.

http://www.floppingaces.net/

She also shot a video of me taking on a couple protesters, one for Code Pink and the other for Ron Paul. I kicked rumpus of course.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQWAUao-SSY

I also got to meet Miss Texas. She is competing in the Miss America pageant.

http://www.misstexas.org/home.html

The funny thing is that she approached me in the convention hall. She heard me verbally taking down the protesters, and came up to me to thank me. She was very pleasant, and I will publish my interview with her in the coming days. Although I took a picture with her, I let everybody know that my girlfriend was and is my Miss America.

Another beautiful and smart woman that I finally got to meet was Townhall reporter Amanda Carpenter. I have interviewed her before, and was glad to finally meet the incredibly nice person behind the solid reporting.

http://townhall.com/Columnists/AmandaCarpenter/

A great guy I had the pleasure of getting to know was Richie at Hip Hop Republican.

http://www.hiphoprepublican.com/

The Minnesota people were awesome, and the Minneapolis Police Department had some really cool cops. One of them gave me and Stix a ride home when the bus didn’t show up. We had a convoy of safety. Brad did what he does best, which was make sure they had pizza.

Yet beneath all the partying was politics. Below are my letter grades for the main candidates.

Denver Democrats:

Joe Biden–I was shocked. He is usually a gasbag, but this speech was warm and poignant. A+

Mark Warner–If the democrats ever learn how to be pro business, they will become normal. Mark Warner is pro business. A

Michelle Obama–Her job was to convince people she was a nice person, and not an angry hostile America hater. I felt she went way too far in the other direction. Her speech was so sugary that it would have killed a diabetic. However, it served its purpose. B

Bill Clinton–I gave him an A- in 2004. This speech was just not as good. His heart may not have been in it. B-

Barack Obama–I gave him an A+ in 2004. This time he did not live up. His speech was simply too negative. Vice Presidents and Keynoters can attack. Presidents have to be positive. C+

Bill Richardson–He has an impressive resume, but was terrible on the stump. He does not inspire, and in this case he did not fail to disappoint and underwhelm. C

Hillary Clinton–She could not bring herself to tell us why Barack Obama should be President. The only praise she gave him was that she favored something, he agreed with her, therefore he is right, because she was. Do not be fooled. She was selfish to the end. C-

Minnesota Republicans:

Sarah Palin–A star is born. The second coming of Margaret Thatcher is from Alaska. A+

Rudy Giuliani–I gave him an A+ in 2004, and he is as great as ever. Slash and burn is his approach, and he does it brilliantly. A+

Fred Thompson–He comes across as so laid back, but his biting wit just works. A+

President George W. Bush–I gave him an A- in 2004, and he was solid again. His line decking the angry left was the highlight. A-

Linda Lingle–The Governor of Hawaii is another rising star. She was effective and personable. A-

Mitt Romney–He was quite good, but there were so many great speeches that he might be downgraded on this arbitrary curve. B+

Cindy McCain–Her speech was harmless. She loves her husband. She is a good human being, but not a compelling speaker. C+

Joseph Lieberman–This man knows how to calm down a crowd. He is a good man, a fine human being, and a colossally boring speaker. He simply puts people to sleep. D

There were no Fs this year. In 2004 John Kerry got a D and Theresa Heinz Kerry got an F. The Bush twins got an F for their routine that had Grandmother Barbara displeased.

Anyway, that concludes my temporary wrap up of the 2008 Republican Convention.

I say temporary because this blog is topic driven when there are no events, and event driven when appropriate. The next couple months will be almost totally event driven. I will have tons of interviews to publish.

So consider this the wrap up for the day.

eric

The Tygrrrr Express took on a couple leftist protesters at the Minneapolis 2008 Republican Convention.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQWAUao-SSY

For those of you wondering what I look like, I am the guy in the fedora and the incredibly nice suit jacket.

The great unwashed leftists are the ones looking like themselves.

The video is 6 minutes long.

In the first clip I take on a Code Pinko who was attending a rally of Lesbian Anti-Semitic Vegans for Libya, or something like that.

In the second clip I take on some Ron Paul supporter. Perhaps he said Rupaul.

I thank Skye at Flopping Aces for the video and for being a take charge woman in the mold of Sarah Palin.

www.floppingaces.net

What was not on tape was a third exchange to a protester that insisted we were living in a police state.

When they complained about a police state and overaggressive police tactics, I set them straight.

I told them:

“I can prove you are wrong in 60 seconds. You claim the police use excessive force. I know this is wrong because I begged them to do it and they wouldn’t. I asked those cops (pointing towards them) to use tear gas, rubber bullets, and batons. I wanted Kent State 2008. They said no because we live in a democracy. So sorry to disappoint you, but as badly as you want it, you will not be savagely beaten. Now be quiet before I come back tomorrow with a razor and shave you all under your armpits.”

Sadly enough the police would not let me do that either.

Police state my rumpus. So yes, even leftist dregs of society have rights.

As for the Code Pinko protesters that stole access badges to disrupt John McCain’s speech, the Secret Service should just shoot to kill.

http://michellemalkin.com/2008/09/05/code-pink-thieves-stole-gop-delegate-badges/

eric aka the Tygrrrr Express

Make John McCain President right now, effective January 20th 2009.

Nobody is entitled to be President. Yet if there ever was a man that should be President, it is John McCain.

As Fred Thompson said in the video introduction, when you lived in a box, you do what is necessary to make sure others do not have to live in that box.

Fresh off a triumphant evening featuring Linda Lingle, Rudy Giuliani and Sarah Palin, Cindy McCain took the stage on the final night to offer heartfelt words about her husband.

“Despite our challenges, we are still alive with hope and belief in the individual ability to make things right if only the federal government would get itself under control and out of our way.”

“The hand we feel on our shoulder belongs to Abraham Lincoln.”

“Nobody is better suited to go about serving America than the man I love, the man I have given 30 years of my life, my husband John McCain.”

“His courageous service to America in war and peace leaves no doubt what our forefathers would make of him.”

“Our party arose from a commitment to equality, human rights, and the dignity and equality of all people. We give way to no one and no party in that cause.”

“This is a man who always tells the truth. He is a good man, a worthy man. I know.”

John McCain then took the stage. He is not a natural orator. Heroes often feel uncomfortable talking about themselves as heroes. So while John McCain will never be the greatest communicator, he remains a sincere man of honor and valor who is one of America’s most noble servants.

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2008/09/john_mccains_acceptance_speech.html

He immediately praised President Bush, refusing to be intimidated by the democratic attack lines.

“I am grateful to the President of the United States for leading us in the dark days after the worst attack in American history, and keeping us safe from another attack that many of us thought was inevitable.”

“Laura Bush is a model of grace in public and in private, and the 41st President and his bride of 63 years.”

“Thank you for the opportunity to win your trust. I intend to earn it.”

“To Obama supporters, you have my respect and admiration. We are fellow Americans. That is an association that means more to me than any other.”

“Please don’t be diverted by the static. Americans want us to stop yelling at each other.”

“All you want is for government to stand on your side and not in your way.”

“I am proud to have introduced the next Vice President to the country, but I can’t wait to introduce her to Washington.”

“To the me first, country second crowd, change is coming.”

“I don’t work for a party or a special interest or for myself. I work for you.”

“I fought for the right strategy and more troops in Iraq when it wasn’t the right thing to do.”

“Thanks to a brilliant General David Petraeus and the fine women and men he commands.”

“It matters less that you can fight. What you fight for is the real test.”

“We lost the trust when we valued our power over our principled. We are going to change that and recover the peoples trust.”

“The party of Lincoln and Reagan is going to get back to basics.”

“We believe in judges who administer justice impartially and don’t legislate from the bench.”

“Cutting the second highest business tax rates in the world will help business compete and keep jobs from going overseas.”

“We will help workers find jobs that won’t come back find a new one that won’t go away.”

“Education is the civil rights issue of this century.” “Equal education has been attained, but what is the value of access to a failing school? Let’s help bad teachers find a new line of work. Obama wants schools to answer to entrenched bureaucrats. I want schools to answer to parents and students. When I am President they will.”

“We will drill new wells offshore and we will drill them now.”

“Obama believes we can achieve energy independence without drilling or nuclear power. He knows better than that.”

“It is time to show the world again how Americans lead.”

“We face many dangerous threats in this world. I am not afraid of them. I am prepared for them.”

“I hate war. It is terrible beyond imagination. I will use all available resources, diplomatic and military, to build a foundation for a stable and enduring peace.”

“I have the record and the scars to prove it. Senator Obama does not.”

“I have been an imperfect servant for many years, but I have been a servant first and last. Not a day happened where I didn’t thank God for the privilege.”

“I am not running for President because I have been blessed with such personal greatness that history has anointed me to save our country in its hour of need.”

“Nothing brings greater happiness in life than to serve a cause greater than yourself.”

“With hard work, strong faith, and a little courage, great things are always within our reach.”

“Fight with me. Fight for what’s right for our country. Fight for the ideals and the character of a free people. Fight for our children’s future. Fight for justice and opportunity. Stand up to defend our country against its enemies. Stand up for each other. Stand up. Stand up and fight. Nothing is inevitable here. We are Americans. We never give up. We never quit. We never hide from history. We make history.”

John McCain is a hero. John McCain is a leader.

His opponent is a good decent man. His opponent is also irrelevant.

It is not that John McCain is a better man than Barack Obama. It is that John McCain is better than virtually every opponent.

It is not that John McCain is more qualified than Barack Obama. It is about John McCain being more qualified than virtually anybody and everybody that has ever served or sought to serve.

The left talks about history. Mostly they carp, lie, and complain about history.

John McCain makes history.

America needs leaders. The most giant nation on Earth must be led by a giant.

John McCain is a leader and a giant.

John McCain was there for America. We should be there for him.

John McCain should be President.

eric

Wow!

Wow Wow Wow Wow Wow!

Wow.

Lady Thatcher, your legacy shall be continued, and her name is Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, the next Vice President of the United States.

The democratic party is now in a state of either denial or full blown panic. With all due respect to Evander Holyfield, Sarah Palin is the real deal.

The emotions in the luxury box I was in at the XCEL Center were a mixture of elation and jubilation. Grown professional women were crying the moment she entered the room. The glass ceiling has not been broken. It has been shattered into thousands of tiny pieces.

Most importantly, it was shattered by somebody who is qualified for the job. The meritocracy that is America lives on and shines bright in this woman.

My only worry before her speech is that nobody should be forced to speak after Rudy Giuliani. He remains perhaps the greatest executive to ever lead a city, and he had the crowd fired up.

Then Sarah Palin walked in, and the electricity nearly blew the fuses.

Some of her remarks are below. They may have a shelf life of 1000 years.

“John McCain refused to hedge his bets on a war to free people from an enemy of America.”

“Pundits and pollsters who wrote him off overlooked one thing…the caliber of the man.”

“After 22 years of service, he refused to break with the troops. A the mom of one of the troops, that’s the man I want as commander in Chief.”

“On the outside, families seem typical. We are.”

“For families with special needs children, you will have a friend and advocate in the White House.”

“This is America. Every woman can walk through every door of opportunity.”

“My opponent takes issue with my small town. We grow good people in these small towns. These people grow food, run our factories, fight our wars, love our country in good times and bad, and are always proud of America.”

“The difference between a hockey mom and a pit bull…lipstick.”

“When I ran for city council I didn’t need focus groups or polls. I knew these people and their families.”

“For those who don’t understand what a small town Mayor does, let me tell you what the job entails. A small town Mayor is like a community organizer, except with actual responsibilities.”

“John McCain does not talk differently to people in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and San Francisco. Wherever he goes, John McCain is the same man.”

“I’m not a member in good standing with the Washington elite. According to them, that is a disqualification for me alone. News flash…I am not going to Washington to seek their opinion. I am going to Washington to serve the people of this country.”

“The Alaska luxury jet…I sold it on Ebay.”

“The state budget is under control. We have a surplus.”

“I told Congress thanks but no thanks on the bridge to nowhere.”

“As for oil and gas, take it from a girl that knows the north slope. We’ve got lots of both.”

“Drilling will not solve everything, but that is no excuse not to do anything at all.”

“Our opponent has two memoirs, but not one law or reform. His war speeches never mention victory except when he is talking about his own campaign.”

“What is his plan after pushing back the waters and healing the planet? To grow the government and reduce American strength.’

“Victory in Iraq is in sight. He wants to forfeit.”

“Al Queda wants to end America. He worries someone won’t read them their rights.”

“Barack Obama wants to promote change to advance his career. John McCain promotes his career to advance change.”

“Some people talk about great things. Leaders like John McCain actually do great things.”

“John McCain is not looking for a fight, but he’s sure not afraid of one.”

“Harry Reid said that he cannot stand John McCain. No accolade is better proof that we chose the right man. Maybe what he was driving at was that he cannot stand up to John McCain.”

“The Presidency is not a journey of self discovery.”

“The world of threats is not a community, and it doesn’t need an organizer.”

“Only one man in this election ever really fought for you in places where winning is survival and defeat is death.”

“It’s a long way from a six foot cell in Hanoi to the Oval Office.”

“There is a special confidence of those who have seen evil, and overcome it.”

“For a season, one can inspire with words. For a lifetime, John McCain inspires with his deeds.”

After the speech, I remarked that Sarah Palin is not only the second coming of Lady Thatcher, but that she had more testosterone (the actual word was less dignified) than the entire democratic party.

A woman heard me and mentioned that she also had more of it than most of the republican party as well.

Sarah Palin is right about another thing. The left despises her. The attempts to destroy her continued moments after she finished speaking. The National Organization For Women has proven again that they only care about liberal women.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/main.jhtml?xml=/opinion/2008/09/04/do0404.xml

http://michellemalkin.com/2008/09/04/not-again-palin-slashes-another-childrens-programby-increasing-funding/

http://hughhewitt.townhall.com/blog/g/9b700e35-6a2f-49ed-a80b-f5f44660dc77

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2008/09/welcome_back_dad.html

http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/015/515sdsvu.asp

http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=NzAzZjM0NWU0MWExNjM4ZmU0ZjE1YTNlNWZhZWJlODk=

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2008/09/whats_so_special_about_sarah.html

So what are the downsides to Sarah Palin? Well for one, her husband is not me.

Second of all, getting a face to face interview with her became next to impossible after she was selected to be on the ticket.

Third of all…see number one.

She may not be the Iron Lady, and she may not be Michael Steele, but steel is what her nerves are made of, to go with her razor sharp tongue and lightning quick mind.

I have not been this excited since George W. Bush put the world’s terrorists and media critics on notice with three words. Those three words apply to any leftist that thinks that they have what it takes to match up with her. Those words apply to factions of the left, from the smug elitists to the vicious smear merchants.

Those three words leave me emboldened as I race to embrace the ticket of John McCain and Sarah Palin.

In the immortal words of the Dub…

BRING IT ON.

eric