This morning on radio, Glenn was joined by one of the smart women in the media, the one and only Ann Coulter.
Ann Coulter, who was a Romney supporter during the primaries, and like most women in America today, had nothing but great things to say about his new running mate this morning
"Ryan was unbelievably great," she said. "Apparently you can criticize the current president without looking mean."
Ryan's speech last night was unlike any candidate had been able to deliver in that forum. He was able to rally the crowd behind Mitt Romney, criticize the president's leadership (or lack thereof), and provide and message of clear change - all while managing to look young, determined and optimistic.
"That was a flawless presentation," Glenn said of Paul Ryan's speech. "That was just a flawless speech. And he didn't seem nervous. At one point he just took a deep breath and stood there for a second and just exhaled and I thought, that's confidence, not arrogance. That's just confidence. He's comfortable in that space."
Ann agreed - she also had positive things to say about Ann Romney's speech and has high expectations for Mitt's speech this evening.
"I am laying bets with my friends that they are going to turn to me and say, "Wow, that was a really good speech." I've noticed that has been happening throughout this campaign, that the first time someone sees Romney give a full speech like after Iowa, after New Hampshire - the first time they actually listen to him give a speech, they always say, "Wow, I wish he always gave speeches like that." Well, he does always give speeches like that," she said.
As for what Mitt Romney needs to say tonight, Ann believes he's going to need to give a speech that isn't just appealing to the base. It needs to be something that is going to inspire people because it's inspiring, not just inspiring to Republicans.
Contrasting it to Chris Christie's speech, which Coulter was not a fan of. She didn't think he used his humor enough or was critical enough of Obama.
"I don't think he even mentioned Obama," Ann said.
Which he didn't, but that's why Glenn said he believed people outside of the political world liked the speech.
"I think the American public is so tired of having this debate. What I think Romney has to do tonight is just stand up and convince the American people he has a plan, he's an adult, he'll do it, and it will work," Glenn responded. "That's it."
Now that Ann agreed with. And that's what she believed Mike Huckabee and Paul Ryan did such a good job of last night. They were able to explain to the American people what a Romney/Ryan presidency will do to help the American people get back to work and help put the country back on a path of success and leadership.
However, Romney's strength is not bragging about himself, Ann explained.
"It's a virtue in a human being but perhaps a deficiency in a candidate: Romney absolutely will not brag about himself. And he's got a lot to brag about," She said. "He really does have a Midas Touch, as you say from the Olympics to all of these companies and he just, he's calm and as you say, adult like and he will take charge and I think he is just what the country needs right now. But we're the ones who have to say it about him. So your plan for him I think is very good."
Glenn shifted the conversation back to Huckabee's speech, which Ann had mentioned, she thought, was good. There is a widely-known relationship between Romney and Huckabee that most wouldn't describe as very friendly since critical comments Huckabee has made about Romney's Mormon faith.
During his speech last night Huckabee danced around the topic of Mitt Romney's faith and used the example of Catholicism to make his point that they're men of faith, which Glenn described as opening a door to show people what's inside, but not taking a step in. He went as far as he seemed to be willing to go.
"That was part of the reason I thought it was very strong, and he was winsome, as he usually is last night," she explained. And on the Catholic thing, I think to use an MSNBC expression, I think that was a dog whistle, i.e., it's an example that, you know, he's an evangelical but we're all Christians…"
Stu shifted the conversation back to the campaign, where he feel like there are finally two strong leaders on the ticket.
"We finally have two guys on the ticket with no weak points that are able to articulate these points," he said.
"It does feel like a first," Glenn added.
"I could not agree more," Coulter responded. "For one thing to have two articulate Republicans. We have two attractive, articulate Republicans with, forget skeletons. They don't even have closets. And they have, as you say, exactly the skills this country needs right now."
