Les Jones

News > RNC: George Bush

Holy cow. He just said he would lead a bipartisan effort to simplify the tax code. Hastert talked about a national sales tax, but I didn't think the Republicans would move towards it on such short notice.

Insurance: allow small firms to join together to get discount rates.

Health savings accounts that persist between jobs. This is part of his push to reform institutions to reflect increasing job mobility. He also promised a health center in every rural county.

Medical liability reform. Big applause. He specifically mentioned ob-gyns. Take that, John Edwards.

Seven million more affordable homes in the next 10 years. Part of his "ownership society" plan.

Plans to expand Pell grants.

Bush looks confident and at ease. At this point in Boston Kerry was sweating bullets.

"Because a caring society values its weakest members, we must make a place for the unborn child."

"Because religious charities provide a safety net of mercy and compassion our government must never discriminate against them." This is a carefully-worded concession. It's backing off - at least rhetorically - from faith-based initiatives to simply putting religious organizations on a level playing field with other charities.

"Because the union of a man and woman deserves an honored place in our society, I support the protection of marriage against activist judges." Another concession. I can agree with this, to the extent that legalized gay marriage should be a matter of legislation rather than adjudication.

Overall, a good speech. One thing I thought was interesting was the religious references in the two conventions. Religion was overtly on parade at the Democratic convention in Boston. It was casually integrated into the Republican convention in New York, as illustrated in Zell Miller's description of George W. Bush: "I am moved by the respect he shows the First Lady, his unabashed love for his parents and his daughters, and the fact that he is unashamed of his belief that God is not indifferent to America."

Me, I was raised Southern Baptist before changing denominations to Primitive Southern Agnostic, but I think it's interesting to see the contrast between the two parties. Short version: the Democrats are using religion as window dressing in this election. For the most part they (meaning the bigwigs running and speaking at the convention) don't mean it. The Republicans by God mean it and feel it in their hearts. People can tell the difference.