Republican National Convention Notes

There’s really not much that I can add to all of the accolades that Sarah Palin has received for yesterday’s speech. It was informative, challenging and forthright. I loved her “I’m stompin’ with the big dogs” demeanor. Thus far, she is the highlight of the entire convention. I like her.

On the other hand, I could have done without Rudy Giuliani. His speech was so abrasive it grated on my nerves. He just sounded mean, vindictive and angry to me. Not the best way to woo voters. I had to change the channel on Rudy.

Lastly, I simply have to comment on the lack of diversity among the delegates. I read that minorities make up 13% of the delegation at the convention. I think that number may be more accurately reported simply as 13. And, it seemed as if the cameramen were trying really hard to pick out the Black folks in the audience but were hard-pressed to find any in attendance.

I was watching the convention yesterday with a Democrat. I was thinking what he immediately voiced, “it’s all White folks”. I’ll say about the Republicans’ efforts to reach out to Black people what I just said about Rudy Giuliani – “not the best way to woo (Black) voters”

It’s no wonder Black folks are wary of Republicans. It doesn’t appear that they have invited us in. I suppose for most Blacks it is a whole lot more comfortable to be with the Democrats. At least there they know that they won’t be alone. As the adage goes, “there is (perceived) safety in numbers.”

I know that Black folks play a big part in this as they’ve not even considered the Republican Party as a viable option. But it is still shameful. The Republican Party must address this issue in 2012!

In The News

Hurricane Gustav, Sarah Palin, Sarah Palin’s daughter Bristol and the Republican National Convention – wow, these last few days have been quite a whirlwind. There’s been room for little else in the news.

I was very excited about John McCain’s choice for a running mate. I had actually read about Sarah Palin a few months ago and was very impressed. I was reading about her and whispering “you go girl” to myself.

It is true that she lacks foreign policy experience but so did Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton. Though they lacked foreign policy experience they ran for president and they each continue to be loved and lauded by their respective parties as great and effective presidents. Everyone keeps crying for change – Sarah Palin may help to facilitate that change.

A couple days after learning that Sarah Palin was chosen as McCain’s running mate, we learned that her 17 year old daughter, Bristol, is pregnant. My heart goes out to that family. The pregnancy alone would be a difficult situation for the average family to handle -- but for the Palin’s to have to deal with the pregnancy, presidential race and the media scrutiny simultaneously? My prayers are with them all.

Hurricane Gustav threatened to be, as Mayor Nagin put it, “the mother of all storms”. I am thankful that Gustav’s bark was worse than his bite. While there was significant damage in the area, it wasn’t nearly as bad as predicted. Thank you Lord.

During his sermon yesterday, my Pastor went off topic and asked, “Isn’t it funny that the only thing that could ruin the Republican Convention would be an act of God and then here comes Hurricane Gustav?” Celebratory clapping and laughter followed his rhetorical question. My daughter and I gave each other “the eye” and fidgeted uncomfortably hoping that he would quickly wrap up his political rant. I attend a very small Black church and as Black folks typically do, my Pastor assumed that everyone in the congregation was a Democrat. I was very offended and am actually still trying to decide if I should say anything to him about the incident.

Well, in spite of Gustav, the Republican National Convention goes on – albeit with an abbreviated schedule. What I really want to ask my Pastor is how he knows it wasn’t satan trying to ruin the convention!