Ensign energizes first, pleads second

Sam Morris

Small government and low taxes were among the themes sounded by Sen. John Ensign Thursday in his bid to get Republican convention delegates to help GOP Senate campaigns.

By Lisa Mascaro (contact)

Friday, Sept. 5, 2008 | 2 a.m.

Remarks by Sen. John Ensign

Winning the West – RNC

St. Paul, Minn. — One sure way to whip the crowd to a roar at the Republican National Convention is this: Talk about freedom, throw in Ronald Reagan and invoke impassioned responses to yes-no questions.

Nevada’s Republican Sen. John Ensign used it Thursday night to great success.

“Are you as fired up as I am?” he said on stage.

The hall was only half-filled. But the crowd responded with authority.

This was no downer speech, like the history lesson Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid delivered about the country’s dangerous mixing of oil and warfare during the Democratic convention last week in Denver.

Ensign began with the story of his political life; he was elected to Congress as part of the Republican revolution in 1994. And the first big line was right behind it.

“Our inspiration was a man whose vision will forever guide our nation — President Ronald Reagan,” he said.

Cheers.

“Ronald Reagan was a true champion of freedom,” he went on. “When we stand for freedom, we always win.”

More cheers.

Then he talked about Elko High grad Jacob Fogel who, after building bridges in the Navy in Iraq, “knows the price of freedom.”

Cheers.

Just like Sen. John McCain, his party’s presidential candidate.

More cheers.

Now for the power chords.

“Do you want a government-run health care system that takes the choice away from patients?”

No!

“Or do you want a system that gives you control over your own health care?”

Yes!

“Do you want bigger government and higher taxes?”

No!

“Or do you want to eliminate wasteful Washington spending and keep more of your hard-earned money?”

Yes!

Finally, the money line — literally. Ensign asked for help getting Republicans elected to Senate this fall, his job at the party campaign committee.

“I ask each of you to give everything you have to this cause in the months ahead.

“On Nov 4th,” he said in a voice now hoarse, “freedom is on the ballot.”

Discussion: 7 comments so far…

By geezelouise

9/5/08 at 7:19 a.m.

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That's right freedom is on the ballot Nov 4th, and a vote for McCain is a vote against everything this country stands for and against the US Constitution.

It's hard to imagine that Ensign would invoke freedom when his party has done everything in its' power to destroy freedom and negate the rights granted in the Constitution.

Our memories are not that short and we are not that stupid.
By PatriciaLV

9/5/08 at 7:33 a.m.

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True; "we" AREN'T that stupid.

But sadly their base IS.
By jfnance32

9/5/08 at 7:55 a.m.

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That is correct..The people that do not vote for Obama are bitter folk that are too stupid to vote for Obama and to stupid to deal with their problems so they cling to guns and religions.

That is what he called Hillary voters that did not vote for him in the primary.

Obama the Messiah!

The Savior to the World!!!!!!!!!!!
By JanK

9/5/08 at 2:32 p.m.

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I am a 69-yr-old registered Democrat and I've seen my share of Democrats win the Party's endorsement. But I must say I've never seen one with so little experience tapped for the nation's top job. I can't for the life of me imagine what the party's elders could possibly have been thinking when they put Obama up for election. Surely they must know that the American electorate generally applies common sense. We usually look for solid experience and administrative expertise...after all the federal gov't is the single largest organization in the country. Why do you thnk we've sent more governors than anyone else to the White House?

I worked for a large and successful corporation before I retired. The company had a Board of Directors and never did I see the Board of Directors promote an entry-level individual up to CEO in a single step, just because he was a smooth talker. We the people are the nation's Board of Directors and we are being asked to promote an entry-level senator, who's never had any other relevant experience, to CEO of the entire country, just because he can give a good speech. Think about it, folks!

It's too soon for this green young senator to become president...the White House is no place for on-the-job training.
By ksand99

9/5/08 at 3:04 p.m.

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JanK, Jeff Skilling was a CEO, he had tonnes of executive experience and administrative expertise.

He was the CEO of Enron.

Look at Sarah Palin's record. A town of 7000 is now 22,000,000 in debt. When she took office, they had no per capita debt.

She pursued 26,900,000 in earmarks from Washington, and got them, spent them, and asked for MORE!

She supported the Bridge to Nowhere, and then suddenly turned against it when she found out that people outside Alaksa thought it was a joke.

She said she thinks the Iraq was is a "task from God." That sounds exactly like George W Bush.

Barack Obama beat Hillary Clinton in the Democratic primary. He's been vetted, unlike Sarah Palin, who seems to be a scandal a minute.

And, like Abraham Lincoln, he doesn't have executive experience.

Lincoln did just fine, and Obama will too!!!!
By geezelouise

9/5/08 at 4:29 p.m.

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Nance,

I didn't mention guns or religion in my post.

So, what do you suppose I am clinging to?

You only have about 4 sentences you can type from what I have been reading.

Can't you come up with something new?
By PatriciaLV

9/5/08 at 8:35 p.m.

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geezlouise: Not until the new blastfax is issued.