Old, new, and social media are abuzz deconstructing Eastwood’s performance at the Republican Convention.

Brilliant? Senile? Disastrous?

The right answer is it was a triumph, a gutsy one. In immediate impact, substance, lingering effect, and the personal risk of the messenger, it was a unique accomplishment that has already added a new meme to the campaign: The empty chair.

Let’s dispense with the spin that it was a painful moment where an aging icon lost his way and drooled on television. Yeah, no.