NY a swing state? Reda and Silvestri drink Kool-Aid at the RNC

The New York delegation to the Republican National Convention included some notable Rockland County Republicans, including Rockland County Democratic Chairman Vincent Reda and County Vice Chairman Joan Silvestri, who is also the co-commissioner Rockland County's Board of Elections.

You couldn't help but wonder what the delegates like Reda and Silvestri were smoking at the Republican convention, as they joined other delegates in wildly cheering for two of the worst political speeches I have ever heard: First there was the snarling Sarah Palin, who made fun of Harry Reid's height and mocked Obama's experience and popularity. And then there was the pitifully bland and empty John McCain.


They believe this despite McCain's gaffe-filled hour long speech, which again put him against an unattractive green screen (actually the lime-green lawn in front of Walter Reed Middle School in North Hollywood, CA). He blew every third or fourth line; I was embarrassed for him. While McCain appeared to be uncomfortable, he also wasn't convincing in his pledge for "change."

And last, McCain has also way overplayed his background as a POW. While many people admire McCain's sacrifice to this country, it doesn't make him a saint. I know many other people that have made sacrifices as great or even greater than McCain has made, but that doesn't give them the judgment needed to become President of the United States. And after awhile, repeating this story over-and-over again will have the same negative effect of Rudy Giuliani's "[noun] and [verb] and 9/11." There is always a backlash when you play up misery. I don't mind being reminded of McCain's prisoner of war status, I'm just tired of it being incessantly shoved in my face. I'm sure many others feel the same way.

Palin's speech, like McCain's was devoid of specifics. She alienated much of the electorate when she could have spent the time letting the public get a feeling for her as a person and as a politician. Barack Obama let's us into his soft side. He let's us know that he shares in the anguish of the middle class. All we got from Palin was shrill accusations and a litany of falsehoods cast at the Democratic Party and progressives in general. This is not going to endear Palin to independents or moderates; even early polls and focus groups have shown that while Palin's speech did energize the Republican base, she alienated undecided voters.

But those speeches were not the only source of dubious and absurd content Reda and Silvestri made baffling and ridiculous statements that they believe New York State is in play for 2008.

Joan Silvestri, vice chairwoman of the Rockland County GOP and a convention alternate, said delegates should follow the model that former Republican Gov. George E. Pataki used to win three terms.

Pataki concentrated on swing suburban counties outside New York City, and those same counties will be important to McCain, she said.

Since Democratic candidates generally do better among female voters, getting more women to vote for McCain and his running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, also will be key, Silvestri said.

"We are forming a Women for McCain (group)," she said. "We still believe New York is still in play."

Vincent Reda, Rockland County's Republican chairman, is heartened by recent polls that show a shrinking lead in New York for Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama.

"If we don't take the state, we're going to come close to it," Reda said.

These two are batshit crazy. If the State Democratic Committee leader of Utah said the same thing, I would also call him batshit crazy.

Let's be for real here: Obama leads New York by eight points after the Republicans got their jump from the convention. And that's just in one poll, from Siena College (one of the more notoriously inaccurate pollsters, by the way). Other polls in New York state, by Quinnipac, Zogby, Rassmussen, the New York Times, and Survey USA are showing spreads closer to 20-30 points in favor of Obama.

But let Reda and Silvestri spin this any way they want. Their words are as laughable and hollow as McCain's and Palin's. If anything was proven by this convention, it's that GOP members, even our local Republicans, are much more about relaying jingoistic messages than they are about reality and substance.