Little Red Blog

For those who haven't already, I'd recommend reading Jonathan Last, at the Weekly Standard. His latest piece, The Two Parties: A study in contrast, is interesting and offers a few points that those not recording both conventions may not have caught.

Last makes one point very clear, that in New York, the Republicans are stating things in a clear and unmistakable form. While in Boston, there was no plainspoken statement of the state of our nation or the world.

He notes how Ron Silver stated:

"explicitly that America is at war with "Islamic extremists""

And how Mr. Silver, still a social liberal, evoked memories of Churchill with his resounding:

"We will never forget, we will never forgive, we will never excuse."

While I would not agree with all that Last says, he is dead on in his review of Senator John McCain, and perhaps a little overly excited by Mayor Giuliani. I would however agree that both of them outperformed any and all comers at the Dems cry fest in Boston.

Last offered this:

"THE CONSEQUENCE of these differences is that Republicans are running an atypical campaign for an incumbent party. Instead of sitting back and playing defense, running on the president's record, they're drawing deep contrasts with Kerry, behaving more the way a challenger would. The distinction they are intent on making tonight is that Democrats are the September 10 party, and Republicans at the September 12 party."

In closing, I'd offer that while the difference is clear, no study required, the real question remains the same, are there enough American's on the left and in the so-called middle, who are listening and can be influenced by truth. I believe the real benefit of such statements of clarity will come in our, the voting American's, ability to invigorate the electorate and to ensure that we are fully armed with the resolve we felt on September 12, 2001.