The Republican National Convention looks to be in danger of thinning out its speakers and attendees to the point that maybe they should just cancel for lack of interest. They’re citing the gathering storm down south as reason for staying away, but, come on. The levees broke in New Orleans and Bush & McCain still had time for cake.
If the weather causes tragedy on the scale of New Orleans all of these guys have access to fast planes to get them where they can do some good if it has to be somewhere other than St. Paul. Bush had a fast plane when New Orleans went under, but he chose to spend a couple more days on vacation.
As for the convention:
President Bush, Vice President Cheney and prominent GOP governors are all skipping the Republican National Convention, and the party is considering shortening its big four-day event[.]
The gap in enthusiasm between the two major parties is bigger than I’ve ever seen. It’ll be interesting to see how that plays out in November.
I disagree the conservative base is riled up with the Palin pick,and campaign volunteers are coming out of the woodwork.Maybe the general public is unintersted in this convention I have no idea but the base is ecstatic and energized.Latest polls have Obama up 6 in Gallup,and up 3 in Rasmussen.
I don’t buy it. Bush, Cheney, and the Republican brand are toxic this season.
I have no doubt the base is riled. That’s nice. If you can’t move the independents, you can’t win. I’m not saying the Republicans can’t move the independents, but I wholly agree with Doug here about the damaged Republican brand having to be overcome. I think the GOP establishment knows this full well. That’s why they are nominating the ‘maverick’ that was ditched by the same establishment 8 years ago.
I agree about the independents but they can’t win without their base and the base wasn’t on board as far as fund raising and volunteering before the VP pick.Democrats are still more enthusiastic but I think the gap has narrowed some.All the talking heads say the election will be decided by just a narrow group of voters in the middle.
I think Palin was a Hail Mary pass candidate (as so many other have said) but I also think it will work. (sighs)