Honorable Mentions
It's customary to not campaign during your opponents convention. You might say it's the right, honorable, thing to do. So I guess it's not surprising that Kerry didn't do it.

Battle of the Bald
You may remember that Alec Baldwin was at the Democratic Convention. When there he said - and was applauded for saying:

"[The Republican party] has been hijacked by these fundamentalist wackos."

Well, here's a quote from another Baldwin brother.

"I am here to support the man I believe has the most faith. I think it is more important than ever that the next president be a guy that I think truly, and I believe in my heart, is making his decisions and basing that on being led by God."

Yeah, I think he might be the white sheep in the family.

You Know What I Find Interesting
The official timlytle.net political timing expert sent this to me:

You know what I find interesting. I find it interesting that Clinton suddenly 'has heart problems' the day after the republican convention. Just seems really convenient. I'm not saying it's all just a political timed stunt - I just think it interesting. I mean, who knows? Clinton hasn't released his medical records - we can't be sure of anything.

Moore Droppings
Here's some quotes from Mickey Moore - at the convention. Let me tell you, I'm starting to really respect this man.

"Saddam Hussein had nothing to do with 9/11."

Hey, that's right. Just having an airplane fuselage in your backyard doesn't mean you had a terrorist training camp. There's plenty of uses for one of them. Like...never mind. Hey Mick - the point is we need to stop him before he was actively involved in the next September 11th.

"But the thing is, once the American people learn the truth, they come around. They're not about to be fooled a second time."

Guess that rules out a sequel to your movie, huh Mick?

"This is the first time I've ever been inside a Republican convention. Previous conventions found me lacking in credentials."

Good thing it wasn't just lacking in actual reasoning ability - 'cause I don't think that's changed.

Speech, Speech
From what I heard and read, the speeched this week were very good. Here's some highlights.

McCain - strong on the need of the war:

Our choice...was between war and a graver threat. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

On Mickey Moore:

"And certainly not a disingenuous film maker who would have us believe that Saddam's Iraq was an oasis of peace..."

And a shot at Kerry's convention salute:

"...and I salute [President Bush]."

A good line - I think a better one would have been, "President Bush, I'm John McCain and I'm reporting for duty sir." But that might have been a bit over the top.

Giuliani had a good line for all those who say this administration can't talk about September 11th because...well...I'm not sure why - they just can't.

"Not discussing it would be like conducting an election for Abraham Lincoln and not discussing the Civil War."

And in his speech he did.

Arnold's speech was good - in some ways a Reagan style speech. Talking about the greatness of America, it's promise, even a reference to America as a 'lamp':

"We are still the lamp lighting the world especially for those who struggle. No matter in what labor camp, they slave no matter in what injustice they're trapped -- they hear our call ... they see our light ... and they feel the pull of our freedom."

His 'how to tell if you're a republican' was great - along with the story of how he 'became' a republican:

" I heard Humphrey saying things that sounded like socialism, which is what I had just left. But then I heard Nixon speak. He was talking about free enterprise, getting government off your back, lowering taxes and strengthening the military. Listening to Nixon speak sounded more like a breath of fresh air. I said to my friend, 'What party is he?' My friend said, 'He's a Republican.' I said, 'Then I am a Republican!'"

And directing his speech toward immigrants - like himself - was good. Really, isn't America a country of immigrants?

If I were to quote all the good parts from Zell's speech - I'd just stick the whole thing right here. One of the best parts was his expression and the way he didn't wait for the applause. His face was stern - and the whole speech had a breathless, verbal one-sided boxing match feel about it, because of the way he would only pause momentarily for the crowds reaction.

As for the President's speech - perhaps a deeper look at it later - but here's a few sections that stood out to me. This one is great - the fact that he knows he's really just another American.

"In the last four years, you and I have come to know each other. Even when we don't agree, at least you know what I believe and where I stand. You may have noticed I have a few flaws, too. People sometimes have to correct my English — I knew I had a problem when Arnold Schwarzenegger started doing it. Some folks look at me and see a certain swagger, which in Texas is called "walking." Now and then I come across as a little too blunt — and for that we can all thank the white-haired lady sitting right up there. "

But you know what the big difference between the candidates is? Two things: One, George Bush believes that America is the greatest nation on the earth - not the meanest bully, or the biggest polluter. And two, he believes that we are that greatest nation because of the blessing of God.

"Now we go forward — grateful for our freedom, faithful to our cause, and confident in the future of the greatest nation on earth.

God bless you, and may God continue to bless America."