The red, white, and blue bunting is all gone, the balloons have popped, and the funny hats have been put away. But the air of Campaign 2004 is still heavy with the fighting words fired from the Republican National Convention this week.
Last night was George W. Bush’s moment to make his case. Bush presented himself as a both a “compassionate conservative” armed with a domestic to-do list and an unflinching and unrepentant leader in the war on terror. And while he cast himself as a man baptized in the flames of September 11th, he also managed to throw some fire at his opponent, John Kerry.
This hour, we go to the Democratic and Republican camps for their reactions, and fan out across the country to hear how the speech played, and more about the strategy for the road ahead.
Guests:
Frances Coleman, editorial page editor for the Mobile Register in Mobile, Alabama
Glenda Holste, editorial page writer for the St. Paul Pioneer Press
John McKenry, Republican pollster and Partner with Ayres, McHenry & Associates
John Podesta, President and CEO of the Center for American Progress.