September 3, 2008
Posted: 04:45 AM ET
Fred Thompson praised Sen. McCain's career as a naval officer and a politician in his speech Tuesday night.
Fred Thompson praised Sen. McCain's career as a naval officer and a politician in his speech Tuesday night.

ST. PAUL, Minnesota (CNN) — Republicans launched their first night of full-scale conventioneering Tuesday by praising party standard-bearer John McCain's experience and attacking Democratic rival Barack Obama.

Republican leaders also strongly defended vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin, the Alaska governor who was McCain's surprise addition to the ticket last week over better-known contenders like former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty.

Full story

Filed under: Barack Obama • John McCain • Republican National Convention • Sarah Palin


OBAMA 08   September 3rd, 2008 10:16 am ET

Old man yells at clouds

Larry   September 3rd, 2008 9:46 am ET

I am a Democrat who has admired John McCain over the years. My problem is he stopped being a maverick in 2007 when he decided to run for President again….he adopted all the Bush-Cheney stands on the issues, presumably to get elected. Now he doesnt have the courage to stand up for a platform he believes in or the running mate he wants.

Jeff   September 3rd, 2008 9:41 am ET

This is about leadership, judgment and temperament. McCain falis on all three.

Barbara   September 3rd, 2008 9:39 am ET

The Republicans just seem to be outdated and angry. When they start with the movie star (sic) attacking a constitutional scholar, the people of this country had better know we're in trouble if we let McWar anywhere near the WH.

Bulldog   September 3rd, 2008 9:38 am ET

People keep talking about Palin's exectutive experience. She governed the 3rd from last smallest state for 1.5 years while Obama was running a National campaign for the same amount of time.

Obama was well received by foreign leaders all over the world while Palin has never met with any other country's leader.
Obama was a United States Constitutional professor, does Palin even
know the Constitution?

Obama is a Harvard graduate and first black person to be president of the Harvard Law Review (leadership). Palin graduated from a small college with a degree in journalism and worked as a sports reporter.

Obama worked as a community organizer right out of college and helped organize much needed help for the less needy. Palin owned a small fishing store in Alaska. On and on and on.

Obama has excellent experience, was President of Harvard Law Review, chose to be a community organizer over going to Wall Street, and was a Constitutional professor before he ever even ran for state senate. God knows this country needs someone who understands the constitution. The experience argument against Obama is getting very old. He has tons of experience, just not in Washington. He definately has more relevant experience than Palin.

Rik Dee   September 3rd, 2008 9:38 am ET

McCain's character?

By that do they mean the man who dumped his wife who waited on him while he was a POW? Dumped her in her time of need? Then chased after the rich, younger woman?

Yes, let's please talk about McCain's character. More people need to learn about McCain's character.

Orlando   September 3rd, 2008 9:37 am ET

Bush here is a fact for you it not just the left who are angry but also the right. All American put Country First and We are Angry at the way you Run Our Country in the Ditch Unlike what Phil Graham may think we are not Whining. Unlike the Marverick at heart John McCain our Future is not a Gamble for a Maverick decision. Act first think Later Bush Accomplished that Mission.

We Need Stable Judgment in Tough Times
Obama/Biden 08

Repulicans portray themselves as an exclusive club   September 3rd, 2008 9:36 am ET

All the Republicans and Fred Thompson did last night was alienate proud Independent and undecided Democrats. They basically avoided talking about the issues and how they would undo all the damage their party inflicted on Americans and tried to sell us on COUNTRY FIRST BEING AN EXCLUSIVE CLUB TO THE REPUBLICANS. WHAT CRAP………………………………………..

cONSERVATIVE   September 3rd, 2008 9:35 am ET

Wow i guess what i heard is true, the internet is full of liberal bloggers, you guys need to get lives and realize Obama is not A electable canidate, you messed up picking him over Hillary, not reap what you sow and stop crying.
Like Bush said, "All your left wing hate wont stop mccain" because the american people are not stupid and won't pick Obama who would increase taxes.
You Democratz got owned. Now dry your eyes and stop crying… Need a tissue?

Donna   September 3rd, 2008 9:34 am ET

I am always amazed at how they have to tear down Obama in order to lift their candidate up..if John McCain is that great, that's all they need to discuss..

Joe   September 3rd, 2008 9:34 am ET

OK, so this is nothing new. The GOP wants America to vote its fears. We've seen this in just about every election for the past 10 years. The fact is, after eight years of the Bush Administration, I suspect the thing most Americans fear is four more years of the same. That is exactly what they will get with John McCain. He has endorsed every failed policy of the Bush Administration. From taxes and health care, to the war in Iraq to our economy … Senator McCain has said that he will do nothing but continue the policies of the Bush Administration. Perhaps more troubling to me is the rhetoric that the GOP thinks they are right on foreign policy. Senator Thompson is terribly wrong. America's leadership in the world requires a different approach. We must care what others think about us in the world community. A leader without know followers is just someone who is out for a walk.

Ex-mod-GOP for Obama   September 3rd, 2008 9:34 am ET

This just looks like a party in decline.

And what was up with Thompson saying the Democrats and the media don't like Sarah Palin's "small-town roots"? Is he delusional or lying?

Chuck   September 3rd, 2008 9:33 am ET

I keep hearing references to the Bible and sin.

Remember this one:

Judge Not Lest Ye Be Judged.

Truth Hurts from Liberty Island ; )   September 3rd, 2008 9:33 am ET

When the late James Brown, godfather of soul music, sang :'This is a men's world', he was reffering indeed to re-Publicans.Check out the picture above, while listening to the track !! loool

"GOP points to WcCain character, derrides Obama ? Puh-lease, as if they had speeches about the Economy.?.They're all lining up to bash Obama;
This convention is full of ES (Empty Suits)………………………………………….

Tony   September 3rd, 2008 9:31 am ET

FACT:

If everyone who plans to vote for Obama/Biden would take, or get at least five others to do the same, McCain will be curshed in November.

Get more if you can and make sure they get to the polls to vote, even if you ahve to take them yourselves. One night every four years will hurt no one.

It is time to stop talking and start doing, or prepare yourselves for a minimum of four more years of Bush.

Marie-Lynn   September 3rd, 2008 9:29 am ET

Of course hedefending McCain choice and not Palin. Don't you get it. What gops think that we are all fools

Joyce in Florida   September 3rd, 2008 9:29 am ET

Tony, my sentiments exactly. Couldn't have said it better. Fred Thompson is just a bitter old man because he had to drop out of the presidential race. He's not much of anything. I won't watch the convention. Just a bunch of bitter people. The Democrats WILL take back the White House. Hillary Clinton supporter and proud to be a Democrat.

Tony   September 3rd, 2008 9:28 am ET

DON:

The answer to your question, as I think you already know, is that when their candidate has NO POSITIVE RECORD of his own to run on, they have no other alternative but to attack, attack, attack. That has always been the way with the republican party.

A Closed door patriotism   September 3rd, 2008 9:28 am ET

Last night was a bit eerie.. the way they were talking last night I wouldn't have been surprised if someone pulled out a swastika banner.

they sent the message that not just any American can be a patriot, you have to be Republican or you don't love your country. Very exclusive and selective.

Enlightened Voter   September 3rd, 2008 9:28 am ET

And I quote – "Only in a Repuglican America is a Black man who is a Harvard Educated Constitutional Law Scholar, with 8yrs as State Senator and 4 yrs as US Senator who has run a brilliant and ultra successful progressive campaign not ready to lead but a white ultra conservative woman with a BS in journalism and 19 mos as Governor ready on day one…"
Disgusting!

Linda from Prescott AZ   September 3rd, 2008 9:27 am ET

Oh and it's pretty obvious where mcCains mind is, he couldn't keep his eyes looking forward during her speech when he introduced her.

Linda from Prescott AZ   September 3rd, 2008 9:26 am ET

The Republicans can do what they want, but I think they will lose to the better candidate come November. McCain is out of touch and Palin seems to be a whack job.

ToPeters   September 3rd, 2008 9:25 am ET

Even with his 26 years in Washington, Senator McCain ran a largely inept presidential campaign, changing advisers at every turn and blaming them for his blunders. For someone who also-ran 8 years ago, it shows how incompetent John McCain will be as President.

The fact that McCain picked a VP candidate that was forced on him by party big-wigs and drug addicts like Rush Limbaugh, shows he lacks the courage and the character to be his own man. Let Arnold tell you what courage and character means.

YOU CANNOT TEACH AN OLD DOG NEW TRICKS. John McCain is part of the problem in Washington, he cannot be part of the solution.

Baze   September 3rd, 2008 9:24 am ET

Character, that's a laugh.

McCain=divorced his wife to marry a twenty year younger bimbo for her money

Palin=poor mother who supports Alaska's secession from the U.S.

Tony   September 3rd, 2008 9:22 am ET

HYPOCRISY AT IT'S BEST….came in the form of Fred Thompson, a bitter, angry, old man who last night criticized Hilalry Clinton as a Washington Insider and rubbing elbows at cocktail parties , etc.etc.etc.

Who more than Thompson, who is both in politics and acting in Hiollywierd, gets wined and dined 24/7 and will say and do anything to get what he wants?

I didn't know I could feel sorry for republicans, but watching the convention last night I was repeatedly reminded of Jim Jones and the Kool-Aid incident of years ago.

Not only do the Republiacns drink teh Kool-Aid, they as for re-fills. Pathetic!

pat C.   September 3rd, 2008 9:20 am ET

this night of old men talking war and mccain just prove to me that we are ready and in much need of a fresh new leader that can take us into the next century. mccain represents old politics that have destoyed our economy and has made us fall short in the global community. we can not afford more of the same!
obama is making history and the more the old GOP boys try to destroy him the better he looks to us americans that have had all we can take of the bush days.

Patriot   September 3rd, 2008 9:20 am ET

I guess my question would be how a conservative Prolife Christian supports an ADULTERER to lead her and a person who believes in War, but then that's the thing about Prolife Conservative Christians, it's not ok to have the right to Choice because life is so precious, but it's ok to kill thousands in a unjust War in Iraq? What reform will she bring? WHAT Character and INTEGRITY from and ADULTERER
Also,
Last time I checked ONLY GOD KNOWS when Life begins, so that is definitely above everyone's paygrade, UNLESS McCAIN and His Conservative Prolifers BELIVE THEY ARE ALL GOD or SPEAK FOR GOD!!!

Don   September 3rd, 2008 9:20 am ET

Why are this guys not touting the bush record and going after BO. They

have no shame. And the demographics i see at the convention is scary!!

Doug   September 3rd, 2008 9:18 am ET

My g*d, does Thompson look ancient in this picture, or what?

Tony   September 3rd, 2008 9:18 am ET

McCain is treating the women of America as a political tool. His only interest in Palin is to try and get disgrunteld Hillary supporters and Independents to vote for him.

How women are not outraged by being used in such a way amazes me and they will have very little credibility in politics if they do not stand up to McCain now and say hell no.

This is just one of many headlines in papers all across the country today. Check out the one regarding Palin's not being vetted in the WashingtonPost.

Joe Lieberman spoke last night. Since when does a so-called Independent come out in favor of, and promte, a particular party. Lieberman is a liar and a hypocrite.

**************Crowley: Lieberman could get chilly response
Posted: 11:14 PM ET

From From CNN Senior Correspondent Candy Crowley

Joe Lieberman just said: "Senator Obama is a gifted and eloquent young man who can do great things for our country in the years ahead. But eloquence is no substitute for a record."

Wonder which party Joe Lieberman will caucus with now? The Welcome Mat may not be out at the Democrats' luncheons.

Lieberman praises Palin, a woman with whom he disagrees on nearly every social issue in the political arena.

*****

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