A Great Friday Night

It truly seemed like some kind of alternate universe right from the start. Thousands of midwesterners lined up around the block waiting to see George W. Bush. We waited an hour and a half to get through security, but nobody seemed to mind. The long line was comforting. So many W supporters in one place. Every snippet of conversation overheard was something pro-Bush or anti-Kerry. I felt perfectly free to openly crack jokes about the Democrats. I was in a conservative cocoon.

There was no line-jumping despite the length of the wait, no rudeness, nothing but excitement. Everyone was on the same team. It was strange, but great.

The event itself was fantastic. The ovation given to the President when he first arrived was deafening. I didn't think it would ever stop. Arnold Schwarzenegger was brief, but quite good. The President was truly on top of his game. He was relaxed, sharp, funny, and did a great job hammering John Kerry and his record. No stumbles, no strange tele-prompter induced pauses.
It was like a "best of" performance. He offered a clarity of vision that was very much missing from the debates. His summation of Social Security policy was especially good:

And baby boomers like me and Arnold -- (laughter) -- we're in pretty good shape when it comes to Social Security. But we need to worry about our children and our grandchildren. We need to worry about whether Social Security will be there for them. And that is why I believe younger workers ought to be allowed to take some of their payroll taxes and set up a personal savings account, an account that earns a greater rate of interest -- (applause) -- an account you own and an account the government can never take away. (Applause.)

My opponent takes a different approach. You know, he said he's going to protect Social Security. But tell your friends and neighbors that he voted eight times for
higher taxes on Social Security benefits. AUDIENCE: Booo!

Like on other issues, he can run, but he cannot hide. (Applause.) And he's offered
nothing for the next generation when it comes to Social Security. The job of the
President is to confront problems, not to pass them on to future Presidents and
future generations. In a new term, I will bring people together so that we modernize and strengthen Social Security for generations to come. (Applause.)

You can read the entire speech via the link above.

I had a ball. Afterwards, as I sat on the patio of a bar across the way from Nationwide Arena, enjoying the best October weather in memory, drinking a tasty beer, enjoying good conversation, and watching throngs of happy Republicans walk by, I was very conscious of the rare moment I was enjoying, and savored every second.