More Republican rudeness. Last night MSNBC's Ron Allen approached Newt Gingrich on the floor of the convention and said that Sarah Palin has a thin resume–an indisputable statement. The honest booster's response is that Palin has led a full life and has good judgment, but Gingrich responded angrily. This was a lot of "baloney" thrown around by the media. He then reeled off Palin's accomplishments, which include taking on the established powers in Alaska and defeating them, taking on corruption, running the biggest state in the union, etc. Stuff Gingrich had surely never even heard of till this week. What has Obama got to rival those accomplishments, nothing? I'm paraphrasing, but Gingrich then directly challenged Allen to name Obama's achievements.
Allen gracefully said he had no response, he wasn't there to have an argument.
I felt for Allen all night. I kept thinking of what he should have said. He showed real decorum, but the age of honor is over, we're in a media age, and the moment called for a response, he could have done the David Gregory in the press room/Dan Rather at Chicago that would forever distinguish him. He could have made two simple points that would have punctured the bastard.
"You said Sarah Palin's achievements include her political victory. Well Barack Obama with little name recognition took on an Establishment candidate in a national campaign in 50 states and against all odds defeated her with 18 million votes, after breaking six other candidates with far more experience. Many say it's a marvel of our political history. He led that campaign, which made not one mistake. Wait a moment sir– may I finish? You asked me a question, I'm trying to answer you. I believe you're proud of all the books you've written, as you should be. They're part of your achievement, they contain important ideas. Barack Obama has written two bestsellers, one of them a classic work on the nature of racial identity. Back to you Keith–"
