I did not want to, but I did anyway... listen to the GOP convention speeches last night. Really, I had some recorded programs to watch, but my wife insisted on listening to the speeches. So here's my assessment of Ann Romney and Chris Christie's speeches... the other droning was not worth the effort.
Ann Romney doesn't come across as the girl-next-door college student anymore. That was decades ago. She comes across as a cool, tough partner who can smile and laugh... but a woman who won't accept the label of pampered and privileged. She's paid her dues and given back. Don't mess with her.
Chris Christie is a very good public speaker. He is a Jake LaMotta of politics... direct, aggressive, don't-stand-in-front-of-me-with-your-bullshit kind of politician. He's not the prettiest politician in the place, but he knows how to get things done... and does it. He talked about "respect" and how it was more important than love. That somewhat contradicted Ann Romney's position, but she was talking about personal relationships and he was talking about political leadership. Christie was talking about earning respect rather than demanding it. He was talking about leadership by example rather than being a thug and intimidator. He was talking about ability, accomplishment, and character and pointing to Mitt Romney as an example.
Chris Christie has his faults. His weight makes one wince and wonder why a man who can accomplish so much in his home state can't manage his own health. But it wasn't his personal weight that mattered; it was the weight of his words. You can watch it below if you wish [video from ABC News].
But now that some of the preliminary speeches are over and we await the nominee's speech, the larger questions still remain: what specific changes will be recommended and pursued to right the Ship of State? Will we hear, "This is what President Obama has done and this is what we will do that is different and better." Or will we hear generalizations about "failed policies?" I can come up with a list of specifics and hope that Mitt Romney is prepared to do the same.