trndobrd
10-11-2007, 04:18 PM
Last week I had the chance to attend the Americans for Prosperity DC Summit. Highlights are at http://www.americansforprosperity.org
Most of the Republican Presidential candidates showed up, none of the Democratic candidates appeared. John Stossell from ABC News was the keynote speaker. It was interesting to see almost all the candidates in one location in front of essentially the same audience.
McCain: He spoke at a reception the night before the main event. He talked in general terms about lower spending and taxes. He discussed how lonely it had been fighting against spending increases. It didn't help that also speaking was Sen Tom Coburn THE anti-earmark guy in the Senate. All in all, not a bad speech, not a great speech.
Rudy: He was definitely in his element with the fiscally conservative crowd. He didn't need to dance around social issues, he just skipped them entirely. Clearly the best speech of the group. Kept his attacks on Hillary and spoke as a front runner.
Ron Paul: His libertarianism played well to the crowd, but he came off sounding whiney instead of authoritative. He needs to work on a positive message of how great things could be, instead of just railing against the system.
Huckabee: Despite his somewhat suspect fiscal record as governor, he had the best presentation behind Rudy. He seems to be hitting his stride with a polished, positive message (Paging Dr. Paul). Obviously a true-blue Christian Conservative, but without the creepiness of Brownback or Tancreado.
Brownback: Brought out the entire U.S. tax code. Other than that, very uninspired.
Thompson: Seemed too be stuck between "folksy" and "inspiring", found neither and ended up being sort of mono-tone and lackluster. For giving a 15 minute stump speech to a friendly audience, he seemed remarkably unprepared and uncomfortable. Someone told me he wasn't feeling well that day. I've also heard he has a lot of days like that.
Romney: Spoke at the evening banquet with Dinesh D'souza (Reagan Biographer). I had a Belgian sour brown ale waiting for me at the Brickskeller, so I had a choice to make.
The beer was fine.
Most of the Republican Presidential candidates showed up, none of the Democratic candidates appeared. John Stossell from ABC News was the keynote speaker. It was interesting to see almost all the candidates in one location in front of essentially the same audience.
McCain: He spoke at a reception the night before the main event. He talked in general terms about lower spending and taxes. He discussed how lonely it had been fighting against spending increases. It didn't help that also speaking was Sen Tom Coburn THE anti-earmark guy in the Senate. All in all, not a bad speech, not a great speech.
Rudy: He was definitely in his element with the fiscally conservative crowd. He didn't need to dance around social issues, he just skipped them entirely. Clearly the best speech of the group. Kept his attacks on Hillary and spoke as a front runner.
Ron Paul: His libertarianism played well to the crowd, but he came off sounding whiney instead of authoritative. He needs to work on a positive message of how great things could be, instead of just railing against the system.
Huckabee: Despite his somewhat suspect fiscal record as governor, he had the best presentation behind Rudy. He seems to be hitting his stride with a polished, positive message (Paging Dr. Paul). Obviously a true-blue Christian Conservative, but without the creepiness of Brownback or Tancreado.
Brownback: Brought out the entire U.S. tax code. Other than that, very uninspired.
Thompson: Seemed too be stuck between "folksy" and "inspiring", found neither and ended up being sort of mono-tone and lackluster. For giving a 15 minute stump speech to a friendly audience, he seemed remarkably unprepared and uncomfortable. Someone told me he wasn't feeling well that day. I've also heard he has a lot of days like that.
Romney: Spoke at the evening banquet with Dinesh D'souza (Reagan Biographer). I had a Belgian sour brown ale waiting for me at the Brickskeller, so I had a choice to make.
The beer was fine.