Rudy and John come out of the dugout

Day One of the Republican National Convention has left a viewer with no doubt as to what the Bush/Cheney ticket will be campaigning on. If the serious tones and solemn imagery are any indication, George and Dick are all that stands between the US and anarchy. From keynote speakers, to moving tributes to the fallen of 9/11, the theme was hit home again and again, this President is on watch, taking action and keeping America safe. At least that was the message that the Republicans crafted, whether the American people will buy into won’t be known until November. The first session of the four day nomination festival featured some hard hitting defences of the Bush/Cheney first four years, as well as their efforts on the war on terror and the war in Iraq. But most of all it evoked the memory of the dark day of September 11, 2001, a gamble it may be to politicize such a horrendous event, but the Republicans seem to be of the belief that this President was the right guy, at the right time to deal with such a nation changing moment. They very much want to get across the message that the work is not yet done.

If a baseball analogy was to be used on day one, John McCain was the designated hitter and Rudy Giuliani was inserted into the lineup to hit clean up. McCain gave a well received speech strong on praise for the President and taking a few shots at Democratic candidate John Kerry. But for McCain the task was simple, paint Bush as a determined leader, willing and able to make the hard decisions, but doing so with the full understanding of what he is asking of those that must follow orders. Stating that the President is a man who has been tested and risen to the occasion, he dismissed Kerry’s leadership potential as leaving one wanting. It also fell to McCain to slay the Michael Moore dragon, without mentioning the outspoken Liberal film maker. McCain brought the partisan crowd to its feet with his comments about a disingenuous film maker, if there were any Republicans in the crowd or watching on TV wondering who that might be, there was the smiling visage of Moore himself accepting the boos and catcalls from his perch in the media section of Madison Square Garden. As the crowd chanted four more years, Moore responded with two more months. For convention moments it was actually quite entertaining, there was a bona fide war hero out doing the heavy lifting for his party. Moore set up like a piñata, with thousands of Republicans taking verbal whacks at him as he smiled at all the attention. If they required a target to rally around the flag over, Moore fit the bill nicely on day number one, his work for USA Today might make for interesting journalism, but his appearance at the convention made for great television.

While McCain’s speech was eloquent and destined for the Middle American voter, possibly not quite sold on Bush/Cheney, his follow up hitter was there for a completely different reason. America’s mayor as Rudy Giuliani has been crowned of late, spoke twice as long and brought out the big bat to knock the resume of John Kerry around the Gardens for a bit. Giuliani recounted his direct experience during the days following 9-11 to project President Bush as a leader able to make decisions, stand by them and not waver. He chastised Kerry as an elitist Liberal who would waffle on hard decisions and pander to European leaders at the expense of what’s best for the USA.

Touted as a possible presidential candidate in 2008, Giuliani heaped praise upon the current resident at 1600 Pennsylvania, sometimes taking his rhetoric a bit beyond believability. Comparing George Bush to Winston Churchill seems a bit of a stretch. While many will debate endlessly the real reason behind the eventual war in Iraq, not many are willing to put Bush on the same pedestal as Churchill just yet. Media observers may be aghast at the arrogance of the presentation, but in a partisan environment as this, it was exactly what the crowd wanted to hear. As Giuliani proclaimed that George W. Bush has already earned a place as a great American president one couldn’t help but wonder when the chants of USA, USA, USA would start.

By and large though, the two speeches Monday were effective in their design and successful in their delivery. They have certainly set the tone of the convention, outlined the blue print for the candidates and took on the Democratic nominee with gusto. Touching on all the differences between the Democrats and the assembled Republicans, the night certainly solidified the lines between the US and THEM mentality.

Tomorrow night it’s the Terminator himself, Arnold Schwarzenegger is the featured speaker. Having captured the key state of California last year, he’ll no doubt be treated as a conquering hero. And if the Republicans continue on the theme of standing up for America, having a Hollywood action legend praising the toughness of the current President is certainly going to keep the ole testosterone levels hopping in New York.

Like any team looking to win the pennant, its time to go on offense, McCain and Giuliani were first on the field. With all the heavy hitters loading up the bases early in the game, it’s going to be left up to George Bush to head for the plate in the last inning on Thursday. It will be interesting to watch as he takes his cuts in the batters box. With the anticipation building the crowd waits to see how their star player will do.

The pressure is on for the President to deliver, this is no time for a strike out, for Bush hitting a home run on Thursday night might be just what his team needs to pull ahead of the Democrats. Does he have one last hit in him to win the game, or will he head for the showers, we find out Thursday night.