GOP backs away from Miller’s blast

[The1calledTKE]

After gauging the harsh reaction from Democrats and Republicans alike to Sen. Zell Miller’s keynote address at the Republican National Convention, the Bush campaign — led by the first lady — backed away Thursday from Miller’s savage attack on Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry, insisting that the estranged Democrat was speaking only for himself.

Late Thursday, Miller and his wife were removed from the list of dignitaries who would be sitting in the first family’s box during the president’s acceptance speech later in the evening. Scott Stanzel, a spokesman for the Bush campaign, said Miller was not in the box because the campaign had scheduled him to do too many television interviews.

There was no explanation, however, for why Miller would be giving multiple interviews during Bush’s acceptance speech, or what channels would snub the president in favor of Miller. Nor was it made clear why Miller’s wife also was not allowed to take her place in the president’s box 24 hours after his deeply personal denunciation of his own party’s nominee.

The change was made only a few hours after Laura Bush, asked about Miller’s speech, said in an interview with NBC News that “I don’t know that we share that point of view.” Aides to President Bush and his campaign said Miller was not speaking for all Republicans.

Miller, who all but abandoned his party after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, returned Wednesday to Madison Square Garden to denounce Kerry as “more wrong, more weak and more wobbly than any other national figure.”

It was in the same hall 12 years ago that Miller, then the respected conservative Democratic governor of Georgia, enthusiastically supported Bill Clinton and belittled President Bush’s father as “a timid man who hears only the voices of caution and the status quo” and a “commander-in-chief [who] talks like Dirty Harry but acts like Barney Fife.”

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http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5897622/


HAHAHAHA. Serves Miller right. Now he is being uninvited to events because he went over the top to impress his Republican buddies.

[aurora_borealis]

When I saw the title of the thread, my first thought was Miller Beer.

You can tell where my mind is.

I was listening to NPR "All Things Considered" before practice and they played parts of the speech with commentary. Interesting to see how things change from four year convention to four year convention.

[lifesaver]

Of course they are backing away. The republicans learned a very hard lesson at the 1992 Houston Convention. They let Pat Buchanan give the keynote speech one night and it, along with other speakers gave the whole convention a feeling of hatefulness and extreemism. Example:

"George Bush is a defender of right-to-life, and lifelong champion of the Judeo-Christian values and beliefs upon which this nation was built.

Mr Clinton, however, has a different agenda.

At its top is unrestricted abortion on demand. When the Irish-Catholic governor of Pennsylvania, Robert Casey, asked to say a few words on behalf of the 25 million unborn children destroyed since Roe v Wade, he was told there was no place for him at the podium of Bill Clinton's convention, no room at the inn.

Yet a militant leader of the homosexual rights movement could rise at that convention and exult: "Bill Clinton and Al Gore represent the most pro-lesbian and pro-gay ticket in history." And so they do.

Elect me, and you get two for the price of one, Mr Clinton says of his lawyer-spouse. And what does Hillary believe? Well, Hillary believes that 12-year-olds should have a right to sue their parents, and she has compared marriage as an institution to slavery--and life on an Indian reservation.

Well, speak for yourself, Hillary.

Friends, this is radical feminism. The agenda Clinton & Clinton would impose on America--abortion on demand, a litmus test for the Supreme Court, homosexual rights, women in combat--that's change, all right. But it is not the kind of change America wants. It is not the kind of change America needs. And it is not the kind of change we can tolerate in a nation that we still call God's country."
-Pat Buchanan

The 1992 RNC convention was seen as at best, as a missed opportunity. At worst, a misirable failure that provided one more nail in the coffin of Bush (41). The failed and hateful convention, combined with the uncertainty about the economy, and Bush's slow responce to order goverment to help aid victims of Hurricane Andrew ultimately did him in.

Most pundits and even the parties themselves realized that you want to minimize harshness at the conventions. You see this trend to this day: the presentation of 'the softer side of Bush.' I dont know how Zell's speech got by, but its interesting the party seems to be distancing itself from it.

[swissmiss04]

After watching Miller's speech (and cringing) I wouldn't be the least bit surprised to see him defect. I find it interesting that he was a fan of Clinton and even at some points criticized W. What a long way he's come. I'm not so sure it's for the better.

[DeltAlum]

I suspect the GOP now has grave misgivings about the Miller speech and their decision to have him give it.

A great potential PR move turned sour.

I really don't believe the vast majority of the electorate wants to hear that kind of strident voice and that kind of very personal attack.

The guy really was over the edge.

The good news for the Republicans is that they can, with absolute honesty, point to the guy and say, "he's not one of us -- he's a Democrat."

But, in the end, they did invite him.

[RACooper]

Anyone see the Daily Show's take on Miller's speach... classic... I did enjoy his rant when asked about his speach, even wanted to challenge the Harball guy to a duel... LOL.. classic.

I also found McCain's interview on the Daily Show to be very nice... espicially his comments the speach.... something about Kerry must have shot Miller's dog or something to piss him off that much.

[Kevin]

The speach was actually pretty good for what it was intended to do -- ignite the base of the Republican party. It might have even won some votes from conservative Dems.

I don't think it was that bad really. I can see why they'd back away. It'll stand on its own. Zell doesn't need the Republican party to stand behind his words -- they've been said. He can absorb the negative impact, the Republican party can keep the positive impact.

I wouldn't be surprised to see Bush throwing Zell a bone next year in the way of an appointment to something important.

[Rudey]

So he appeals to conservative hawks and can't do as much damage to the Republican party because he's a Democrat? Sounds like a win-win situation.

-Rudey
--But I doubt that Common Joe will ever know much about Zell other than possibly the Democrat who supports Bush

[lifesaver]

Originally posted by swissmiss04
After watching Miller's speech (and cringing) I wouldn't be the least bit surprised to see him defect. I find it interesting that he was a fan of Clinton and even at some points criticized W. What a long way he's come. I'm not so sure it's for the better.

He has siad very publically that he wont defect. He believes that party is, "like a birthmark, something you're born with." His senate term is up at the end of the year (technically the 5th of January) and he is not seeking reelection.

Watching his speech, I felt like I was at an old time baptist revival with all the hell and damnation flying around.

[aurora_borealis]

The funny among friends last night is that Zell is a nickname for "Zealot".

Tee-Hee

[hoosier]

After this election, I suspect that many will point to the GOP Convention, and Zell's speech, as the turning point of the campaign.

What a great job they did of contrasting Kerry and W.

Kerry and his boys are still sputtering and gasping for breath.

[Sistermadly]

Originally posted by swissmiss04
After watching Miller's speech (and cringing) I wouldn't be the least bit surprised to see him defect.

And I hope the door hits him where the Good Lord split him. I'm ashamed to say I voted for that git while he was Governor. Can a person recall her vote years after the fact?

Please?

[PhiPsiRuss]

He did come across as a bitter old man. Anyway, conventions are just staged events these days. I wouldn't place to much weight on his, or any other speech.

[IowaStatePhiPsi]

I found Zell's talking points:
http://www.snopes.com/politics/kerry/weapons.asp