Kathleen Parker hit the nail on the head with today’s column. Known as an ultra-conservative columnist, I hardly ever agree with what she writes. But her article, titled “Giving Up on God,” was an honest assessment of the GOP’s woefully pathetic state of affairs.

I felt refreshed reading it. Seriously. You should read it.

Basically, she admits that party leaders cower to the religious right — thus creating a party totally out of sync with the American public. No longer is the party setting an agenda that the American people believe in. The party isn’t relating to a diverse group of people. At this point, Republicans can’t get out of their own way.

You know what the GOP has turned into? That crazy Bible-thumping man who stands on the street shouting scripture at passers by. Screaming at busy intersections isn’t going to get someone to convert. Nor will forcing religion on voters. As Parker says:

So it has been for the Grand Old Party since the 1980s or so, as it has become increasingly beholden to an element that used to be relegated to wooden crates on street corners.

Which is to say, the GOP has surrendered its high ground to its lowest brows. In the process, the party has alienated its non-base constituents, including other people of faith (those who prefer a more private approach to worship), as well as secularists and conservative-leaning Democrats who otherwise might be tempted to cross the aisle.

Amen.

There’s a lot of talk this morning about how John McCain tried to rebrand the Republican Party. According to the Washington Post:

“John McCain was re-branding his party as the party of change,” one CNN commentator said after the speech. “Re-branding” is a very popular term these days, but what does it mean? Perhaps that you can make something true just by saying it’s true.

Well, I work at a PR/marketing agency, and we always tell our clients that branding isn’t just a logo or what you say about yourself. It’s how people perceive you or your company. Perception is reality. In this case, the GOP brand is not so strong after being dragged throught the mud for the last eight years. It will take more than a speech and some balloons to recast that brand.

I know … two videos in one day. That’s right … prTini is going high tech!

At work today, there was a lot of discussion about Sarah Palin’s speech last night. A number of people commented on the  harsh tone. Myself included. Last night, I was struck by the negativity. When I watch the Clintons, Obamas, Joe Biden and other speakers — I am reminded of what a great country we live in. No, everything isn’t perfect … but we are blessed to call this home. I am inspired to want to be a better person and to do my little part to help others however I can. On the other hand, when I watch Republicans, I don’t have that sense at all. Republicans use the same tried-and-true fear-mongering tactics.

In fact, as I’m writing this, the GOP convention just showed a video — supposedly billed as a tribute to 9/11 victims. It was anything but. It was an attempt to scare people into thinking that another terrorist attack is about to hit us. And, if you listen to them, the Republicans are the only people interested in keeping us safe. The video was exploitive and completely uncalled for. It wasn’t a tribute. It was playing politics with a tragedy. In fact, MSNBC’s Keith Olberman just said the video shouldn’t have been aired on television. He rightly pointed out that if a network aired that much graphic footage of 9/11, they’d rightly be “eviscerated for exploiting the memories of the dead and perhaps trying to evoke that pain again.”

Those aren’t the types of leaders this country needs. It’s difficult to articulate — but I want a leader in the White House who inspires others to be better … to work a little harder … to give thier time and resources to those in need … to understand those who are different than us. Not someone who relies on scare tactics to win some votes. I know being president is a much bigger responsibility than just being a cheerleader. I don’t want a cheerleader. But, I do want a leader who makes people better — and in turn makes the country better.

This video starts to explain that. I hope you like it.

Let me start by saying this: I hope Gustav misses NOLA and doesn’t cause major damage in any other parts of the Gulf Region. However, with the hurricane approaching landfall this week — at the same time the GOP is supposed to be holding its convention — there are some pretty interesting political issues raised.

My own thought: I hope the presidential candidates and their campaigns can show enough restraint and stay out of the way. Sure, this may present an opportunity for the candidates to look “presidential” and, specifically for McCain, to differentiate themselves from President Bush’s reaction to Katrina. However, with a presidential campaign comes motorcades, traffic problems and security issues. That is the last thing those people need during this crisis. I hope the campaigns just let the rescue workers to their work without making it even more complicated.

As far as how Gustav may impact the political process, www.fivethirtyeight.com — one of my favorite political blogs — had a great post today looking at this very issue. They offered five ways the storm could help the Republicans:

1. Allows McCain to Appear Magnanimous. By potentially delaying or canceling his “date” at the GOP convention, McCain appears as though he is giving something up to tend to the Gulf Coast. Sympathetic and neutral-to-sympathetic media outlets may view this as underscoring McCain’s “America First” theme.

2. Lowers Expectations Bar. The selection of Sarah Palin as the VP nominee has forced the GOP to shift abruptly from a “Ready to Lead” theme to an “America First” theme. While it is difficult to say whether one of these themes was intrinsically stronger than the other, odds are that a lot of speeches had to be re-engineered, probably rendering them less effective upon delivery. Gustav, however, may give the GOP a built-in “excuse” for more off-the-cuff, hastily-organized speeches.

3. Removes the Bush problem. The further Mr. 30% is from St. Paul, the better off the Republicans will be.

4. Do-Over. Americans have short memories, and a relatively more successful response to Gustav could allow the GOP to argue that it has redeemed itself for the mistake of Katrina.

5. Crisis Mentality May Benefit McCain. By appearing in New Orleans, and perhaps even delivering his acceptance speech from there, McCain will have the opportunity to appear “presidential”. Rather than asserting to that he is ready to lead — an assertion that was undermined the the selection of Palin — he may hope to give the appearance of actually demonstrating such leadership.

It will be interesting to see how this changes the political environment. Stay tuned …

Seriously … when is Obama going to name his VP? I can’t tell you have many times I’ve checked Drudge today. I’m traveling tomorrow, so I’m going to miss all the fanfare. Crap!

P.S. If you’re a betting man, check out www.intrade.com . According to the gamblers, Biden’s almost a sure thing and Mitt’s the leading contender for the Republicans.

P.P.S. If Mitt is named the GOP VP, he has another three houses that McCain will have to remember.