Just Nod If You Can See Me

Well…it looks like Chris, proprietor of WyBlog, was wrong: Scott Brown will not be delivering the Republican Response to Julius Obamacus Caesar’s State Of The Empire Union Address [I’m sorry for having linked him on this bad bit of reporting…I should have known better…after all, the guy’s from Jersey].

From Fox News, Chad Pergram reporting:

Fox has learned that Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell (R) will deliver the GOP response to President Obama’s State of the Union next Wednesday. McDonnell’s speech will immediately follow President Obama’s address.

The GOP needs to really work at making the Response a success and not be like the horrid performance given by Governor Bobby Jindal’s last year.  One of the important points they have to get across is that the Republican Establishment ‘gets it’.  Sadly, I still don’t think they do.  However, Governor McDonnell appears to understand, so maybe, if he can control the format and message, the Republican Response won’t end-up being another, typical lame and incredibly ineffectual effort.  Dave, over at At The Point Of A Gun, has, I think, a great idea [worth quoting at length]:

A word of advice to Gov. McDonnell:

Please give your response in front of a town hall type event. Consider Gov. Bobby Jindal’s response from last year. After Obama’s speech of cheers and applause, Jindal’s response in an empty room seemed hallow and out of place.

It might be easier to give the speech without the interruptions of applause. But the perception on TV across the nation will be better received. The segue from Congress to a town hall filled with supporters won’t be as abrupt and the energy in the room will be noticed on TV.

It’s a sad fact but appearances matter. It’s a campaign speech. No one is running but the values and ideals of the Republican party. The audience will help punctuate key issues in your speech. Lower taxes, yea! Smaller government, hooray! Letting people keep more of their own money to create jobs, *thunderous applause*. It will help devalue what the liberal pundit will say after the speech. When he comes on to tell the viewers what you really meant to say and proceed to get it all wrong because. . . Well, most pundits on the networks are liberals and get everything wrong to begin with. Your response will be no different.

Think of it as canned laughter for a sitcom. The jokes are there and most people get them. The prerecorded laughs help to highlight gags to someone who isn’t paying much attention.

Are you listening Stupid Party?

Pictured: Two typical GOP leaders's reaction to this post.