September 1, 2004

"Then I am a Republican."

I caught a bit of Rush Limbaugh today, and he said something that really struck me. He said that the news media and the Dems are complaining that Republicans are hiding the ugly fascist truth of who we really are, by featuring moderates at our convention. He pointed out that the speeches of Guilliani, McCain and Schwarzenegger, were unabashedly and unashamedly conservative! And it's true! Republicans are using this moment in the limelight to show ourselves as 100% conservative. (Of course each of those guys hold some positions that are not generally considered conservative. But none of that was being used to "hide" anything.)

I heard some of Arnold's speech today, and really had to laugh at this...

...everything about America seemed so big to me, so open, so possible.

I finally arrived here in 1968. What a special day it was. I remember I arrived here with empty pockets but full of dreams, full of determination, full of desire. 

The presidential campaign was in full swing. I remember watching the Nixon-Humphrey presidential race on TV. A friend of mine who spoke German and English translated for me. I heard Humphrey saying things that sounded like socialism, which I had just left. 

But then I heard Nixon speak. Then I heard Nixon speak. He was talking about free enterprise, getting the government off your back, lowering the taxes and strengthening the military. 

(APPLAUSE)

Listening to Nixon speak sounded more like a breath of fresh air.

I said to my friend, I said, "What party is he?" 

My friend said, "He's a Republican." 

I said, "Then I am a Republican."....

Posted by John Weidner at September 1, 2004 12:23 PM
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