Governor Arnold’s speech (I won’t attempt to spell his last name; I am drunk), his lovefest for America speaks volumes for the way American Dream Immigrants see the way they are becoming Americans. Make no mistake: despite the embellishments that may come with his rhetoric, I am not ashamed to say right now, that the words that he says are my own words.

Liveblogging…

10.08 “We Republicans admire your ambition… you achieve anything.

Right on, sir.

10.09 “In this country it doesn’t make any difference where you were born, [etc.] … that’s why I believe in this country, that’s why I believe in this party, and that’s why I believe in this President.

As do I, and it puts nails in the coffins on racist multiculturalism.

10.10 “Maybe you don’t agree with this party in every issue… here we can still respectfully disagree, still be patriotic, and still be good Republicans.

Amen bro.

10.11 “How do you know if you are a Republican? … If you believe that government should be accountable to the people [and not the other way around] the you are a Republican.

Which is why I think this is a referendum on the prez.

10.12 “If you believe, this country, not the United Nations, is the best hope for democracy, then you are a Republican.”

Oh man.

10.14 “We may hit a few bumps, but .. we move prosperity ahead.”

This is why I love Arnold. He is not a self-loathing American, and I will never understand how the more “intellectual” among us are so disgusted with their country, and themselves.

10.13 “Don’t be economic girlie men”

Oh man, oh man, oh man. Time to call the feminists to see how stupid they’ll try to spin this as sexist or homophobic.

10.15 “Our men and women in uniform [...] believe there is one America, and they are fighting for it.

This is the fourth time chants of “USA” are heard through the audience. Why am I again wondering why the RNC remains awesome?

10.16 “Leadership isn’t about polls. It’s about men. It’s about making decisions you thin you are right, and then standing behind those decisions.”

I am beginning to think that this entire convention is about underlining the opponent’s nuance and flip-flopping. And it will be a winning rhetorical strat.

10.19 “Their hate is no match for America’s decency. [...] We are the America that gives more than any other country to fight AIDS in Africa and the developing world.”

The typical Dem response? “Not enough.”

10.20 Er, oops sweetie, but Tiananmen Square was a total disaster. It isn’t something we should exactly be defending, just as the failed Iraqi insurrection post Gulf War I.

[Author's note: there are a lot of tinges of Reagan's rhetoric, that of inspiration and national pride, and this is the kind of adrenalin shot that the delegates need before the First Lady comes on to speak.]

10.22 Gov. Arnold minces no words in his underlining what he believes of the incumbent. No kidding? It’s a true believer speech, but guess what? It’s what’s needed tonight. It’s a great opener, and, capitalizing on the cult of celebrity, brings great fervor to this night.