Open Thread: The RNC

by Latoya Peterson

So, I checked out part of the RNC coverage last night. Listened to about 90% of Palin’s speech.

I’m still busy working the day job and working on the last bit of stuff for Feministe, so no lengthy analysis from me.

Though, some scattered points -

1. Don’t sleep on Palin. McCain is going to fight to control the media during this election, and downplay his unpopular stance on the issues and he pulled out a good weapon to do so.

2. I wonder what Elizabeth Hasselbeck had to say about the speech.

3. The Republicans had a hoe down? Seriously? Did I miss the Democrat party? What were Obama and them doing after the speeches?

4. This article in today’s Washington Post is interesting - In a More Diverse America, A Mostly White Convention.

As the country rapidly diversifies, Republicans are presenting a convention that is almost entirely white.

Only 36 of the 2,380 delegates seated on the convention floor are black, the lowest number since the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies began tracking diversity at political conventions 40 years ago. Each night, the overwhelmingly white audience watches a series of white politicians step to the lectern — a visual reminder that no black Republican has served as a governor, U.S. senator or U.S. House member in the past six years.

“It’s hard to look around and not get frustrated,” said Michael S. Steele, a black Republican and former lieutenant governor of Maryland. “You almost have to think, ‘Wait. How did it come to this?’ ”

Hmmm…I got some ideas for ya, Michael.

Another gem from the article:

“We have to make a better case to the Hispanic voter that the Republican Party has something to offer other than a deportation slip,” Davis said.

No mention of any other minorities in the article, just as an FYI. And that’s a damn shame. Especially considering how many of us are politically independent.

What are your thoughts, readers?

(Photo Credit – Washington Post)