Kevin Drum of Mother Jones (see, I read lefties, too) describes NRO’s The Corner as “a peek into the conservative id,” which is a great description. I don’t agree with everything I read in The Corner, but it’s the first place I turn for a (usually) thoughtful conservative perspective on breaking news.
Despite a few sniping comments here and there, the consensus in The Corner is that Michelle Obama gave a great speech last night — and in this case I do agree. She’s become somewhat controversial because of her angry class-struggle partisanship on the stump, and for a tone-deaf comment that “for the first time in my adult lifetime, I am really proud of my country.” (Note to self: don’t go into national politics unless you want to be remembered for the handful of stupidest things you’ve ever said.)
THAT Michelle Obama is not the one who appeared on stage last night. Last night’s model gave an unabashed paean to the American Dream. “Michelle and the girls were a homerun for Dems tonight. It’s no small thing when both sides can talk American exceptionalism. It’s a start,” said Kathryn Jean Lopez.
To her credit, Michelle Obama did exactly what needed to be done tonight. … Whatever cynics like me might think, there were many wet eyes in that room. And there were more African American faces looking with deep pride at this impressive woman, giving a wonderful speech, looking like [a] very serious political player herself, and a world class political wife. Does she really love her country? Standing at that podium, with the nation’s eyes upon her, how could it be otherwise. Brava!
As I caught snippets of the post-speech, end of evening analysis I was astonished to hear not one but several people arguing that “George Bush got off easy”, that the tone of the event should have been more aggressive, and that there should have been more attacks on the current administration and its policies. I could not disagree more – I think Michelle’s speech was inspired and warm and thoughtful and complete. It achieved an atmosphere of “we are with you” rather than “we are for you against the hoard”.
There was also a Republican speaker whose name I can neither remember nor conjure from the CNN “coverage” pages. His message was there was much to respect from each party and that there are similarities in goals and actions (sometimes). His also was a message that we are together – not each of us huddled in our own cave trying to hunt mammoth by ourselves.
We are a nation – we are a nation that has differences but we can listen and talk and compromise and work things out if we can. We are a nation that needs leaders – leaders that may seem different in some ways but are, in fact, people that have had to listen and talk and compromise and work things out – just like the rest of us.
I took away from the evening a sense that whatever might have happened in the past, whoever may have contributed to the turmoil, there are people and there are leaders that are able to stand up and fill the vacuum that will be left by the departing administration.
And so I wish it. Wes Poteet