The New Republic

Say it ain't so, Coach Gibbs! The Redskins legend, a fundamentalist in matters of running game and Biblical interpretation, is to speak tonite in Saint Paul. Fans who watched him on the sidelines last season, though, won't be surprised to learn that his timing is off: Anyone sufficently Redskins-obsessed to be swayed by the old coach will likely be watching the team's opener tonite instead of the convention. READ MORE >>

You can’t say last night’s spectacle of symbolic resentments at the Republican National Convention was unexpected. With little else to talk about, it’s been clear for some time that the GOP would go back to the old us-versus-them playbook one more time. And if high-minded types can accurately call it a distraction ploy—gin up some anger against know-it-all community organizers to keep the conversation away from matters of health care or the environment or the war—it’s one that has proven effective in the past. Pit proudly square America against decadent hip America and the squares win. READ MORE >>

Is Rudy Giuliani really going with the imagine-you're-hiring-someone-for-a-job metaphor? The look-through-their-resumes gambit? If I'm not mistaken, Giuliani is the dude who touted this guy as Homeland Security chief. Slamming Obama's preparedness is a good idea, but Rudy might want to block that particular metaphor.  READ MORE >>

One Republican argument about Sarah Palin is that the Alaska governor has proven willing to challenge her party in a way Barack Obama has not. Rebutting that charge should be easy. But it also represents something of a trap for the Democratic nominee. READ MORE >>

It's early yet, I know, but thus far it seems the overwhelming tone of the Republican Convention is nostalgia. Shot after shot of a room full of white people cheering shout-outs to Theodore Roosevelt, applauding commemorations of aging Medal of Honor winners, misting up at video footage of Ronald Reagan.  Every image up on that giant screen painted in sepia. And the grouchy tone--here's somnolent Fred Thompson lambasting the "Georgetown cocktail party circuit"--evokes Abe Simpson more than Abe Lincoln. READ MORE >>

Perhaps I just haven't caught on to the new GOP vocabulary of the McCain era, but I'm finding myself confused by the shots of these large crowds of Republicans waving signs demanding: "SERVICE." Does this mean the St. Paul waitstaff gone on strike? -Michael Schaffer READ MORE >>

Since everyone south of Juneau seems to be relying on their trusty Nexis accounts for more information on the surprise Republican vice-presidential candidate, I'll do the same. A brief sampling of her pre-gubernatorial career: -Forbesmania!  Palin was an Alaska  cochair of Steve Forbes' 2000 presidential campaign. -Float for change! Palin's float won first prize in the political category at the 1999 Alaska State Fair.    -Gay marriage, no; Wal-Mart marriage, yes! As mayor of Wasilla, Palin once presided over a wedding in a Wal-Mart. READ MORE >>

"Maybe for John McCain, the American dream means seven houses," says Tim Kaine. Not just for John McCain, Tim! Why is this so hard to understand? The political opportunity in McCain's "houses" gaffe isn't in pointing out that he's rich: Americans don't hate rich people. READ MORE >>

According to the Democratic National Convention schedule for tonite, Barack Obama has an impressive array of performers set to tee up his stadium speech. For the national anthem, there's American Idol/Broadway star Jennifer Hudson. Later on, there's will.i.am, a new sensation for the young Obama fans. Followed by Sheryl Crow, an established rock star for the soccer moms. That sets the stage for Stevie Wonder, a bona fide national treasure. Whose performance will surely build up the excitement for....Michael McDonald! READ MORE >>

You know things are odd when Pat Buchanan is the one calling for more rhetorical attention to civil rights. -Michael Schaffer READ MORE >>