Gov. Brian Sandoval did some editing on his speech to the Republican convention between the time he previewed it for reporters on Saturday, and when he delivered his remarks in Tampa, Fla., today.
And they were good edits.
On Saturday, he told the press that his speech was to include a line that the current administration had given up on the American dream. That prompted a question from me on the conference call: You’re really going to say that? Seriously?
Apparently not. Editing continued on the speech right up until it was delivered, and while there was plenty of president-bashing, that line didn’t make the cut.
This, by the way, is a good thing. Because while President Barack Obama‘s ideas for America may be different than Sandoval’s, or Mitt Romney‘s, or Paul Ryan‘s, they are in no way a surrender of the American dream. It’s at once an unserious and scandalous allegation, one more suited to Rush Limbaugh or Donald Trump than to Nevada’s generally upbeat, seldom partisan governor.
Now, I harbor no illusions that my incredulous questioning caused Sandoval to do anything other than roll his eyes. Perhaps he heard negative feedback after his comments appeared in the Sunday newspaper, or he re-read the speech and thought better of it. No matter how he came to the decision to drop it, he made the right call.
Instead, Sandoval let loose with this:
Make no mistake, the current administration’s failed experiment with big government gets in the way of economic recovery.
Their [sic] love affair with government regulation is a drag on business confidence.
…
This administration sings the siren song that this is all there is.
They tell us that government is the answer, but we know it’s the problem.
They tell us we didn’t build our businesses, but somebody else made it happen.
They tell us not to dream, but to settle.
You and I know America is better than that.
Of course, one might as well respond that Nevada’s failed experiment with tiny government does nothing to help economic recovery, as I did last year welcoming Republican presidential candidates to the Silver State. And one could also note that Sandoval has touted the economic development that has occurred on his watch, a powerful counter-narrative to Romney’s dour remarks about the state of the union.
But who’s to quibble?
You can watch Sandoval’s entire speech here:
Meanwhile, Chris Cillizza of the Washington Post puts Sandoval in the “loser” category and calls his speech “thin” and “forgettable.” That’s kind of mean, I think.
And Christie walked all over him.
Christie 2020!
Has a nice bumper sticker feel, doesn’t it?
After watching our governor embarrass himself with that wooden delivery, devoid of emotion and passion, I say watch Chris Christie.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=61uCHhDLWh4
Next time Steve, encourage them to let it all out and the chips fall where they may. I feel you told Sandoval to run away from the cameras, and I think he took your advice. You have yourself and those others who also told Sandoval to reserve it and hold back to blame for his lackluster performance. That has to stop, we need to see and hear what they emote and think. Those who try to hold them back do all of us no good what so ever.
Governor Christie showed you what is needed, I suggest a good study of his speech.
“They tell us we didn’t build our businesses, but somebody else made it happen.” What? Our Governor actually said that lie? He KNOWS that President Obama referenced roads and bridges. You’ll note that Rick Santorum repeated that same lie. In fact, the GOP made it the theme of their convention: We Build That.
You will notice that Jack Gilchrist, the owner of Gilchrist Metal Fabricating. You know, the guy we saw on the GOP TV ads that said, “I did build my business myself.” He was missing. Gee, turns out he got a Federal Business loan….
And where was Sher Valenzuela, currently running for Lieutenant Governor in Delaware. The GOP’s other lying “We Build It” speaker on TV. She had a dream of building a small business from the ground up without government assistance. Gee her upholstery business received $17 million in federal loans.
So far, the GOP convention is a sad joke.
I called the Governor’s office and ask what he thought about the RNC lawsuit to overturn “none of the above” and they did not know. If Sandoval is wooden, then he is a piece of balsa wood…a lightweight who gets his material from advisers and the kook brothers. Why don’t you find out what the various candidates think about the “nota ruling.” We know what Miller is doing and that is about it.
Enjoyed the article, Mr. Sebelius.
But let’s face it. Sandoval was paraded out there to the national stage as a figurine to set there. As if to say, oh, look, you people say we’re fucking racist bastards, but hey, no, we got something that says otherwise, look, here’s a Governor from Nevada, he’s a Latino American, see? We’re not so racist after all.
Very transparent. They don’t go for substance. They go for sound bytes.
Sandoval was used. RNC grabbed him, polished him a bit, thrust a camera/microphone in his face, say a few words, Governor, pose, no, not like that, turn this way, turn that way, thrust your chin out like you’re going to kick someone’s ass, say something, but not that much, don’t screw it up, okay, great, good job, now go away, go back to Nevada and into relative obscurity.
Getting loans for your business is paying the loans back with interest. That is doing it yourself. Employees get paychecks. So the employee is PAYING you. Obama speaks of giving things away. He clearly wants to even the score so that everyone gets everything for nothing, but he knows it can’t be done. Same crap he pulled with Obamacare. He tells everyone that they now have medicare & what do we have? A tax. He’s a liar & he knows he can sell anything to the “what you got for me” crowd. The crowd that never has to say “How much interest will I have to pay for that loan for my business?” How much money did Obama get when he went to college? Oh, that’s right, we’ll never know since he secured all his records.