Here we are, two days from the start of the Republican National Convention, and I'm wondering if the choice of New York is a stroke of genius or a foolish gesture. It is clear that the anarchists and the loony left protestors are going to take their demonstrations to irresponsible levels in New York. The question is, will all of the extra-curriculars outside the convention hurt or help Bush?
I know hindsight is 20/20, but given the momentum Bush has right now, he must be wishing he'd gone with Texas for this convention instead. There he would have been guaranteed a fairly uneventful convention. But uneventful conventions are low stakes poker. Placing the convention in New York is a huge risk-smack dab in the middle of Donk real estate where plenty of wackos would be more than happy to convene and make asses of themselves. New York also has one of the best police departments in the world, though, helping ensure a safe convention. And the protestors themselves risk turning this into a one man race. I've talked to a number of independent minded people around my home state of Wisconsin who feel sorry for Bush because they think the media is out to get him. Can you imagine how hundreds of thousands of immature, irresponsible protestors are going to effect the electorate? Look, there is no better protest than the peaceful protest; as a protestor it gives you the greatest credibility. Disruptive protests turn the stomachs of most Americans. It is conceivable that these protestors could end up amplifying any Bush bounce from this convention.
Unlike the Donk convention, I will be tuned into the Republican convention, along with a good friend. I think this convention is going to be all over the news all week, much more so than the Donk convention. In the end, I think Bush will be well on his way to term number 2.
1 comment:
I, too, am wondering what the effect will be on the voter. Likely a bounce, as you said. Much of what I have seen so far looks like a giant temper tantrum, really amateur stuff like French theatre, illogical and self-indulgent, like a street mime. Not so much funny or amusing as plain weird. Out of kilter. On the other hand, the "anti-globalism" violent (read: anti-capitalism, anti-U.S.) demonstrations in Seattle did not help their cause much.
The puzzlement to me is the counter-convention by the Democrats that seems the oddest sheduled protest. What is that? It's unprofessional at best. More like a self-defeating strategy, something so ill-timed, ill-considered, and childish has to be the brainchild of someone like Terry McAuliff who isn't exactly bright for prime time.
Still, if terrorists should strike during the convention, and God, please they do not, many of the protesters would learn a thing or two about reality. I really think this convention is safer in New York than Texas because there are a lot of human shields out there who have more sympathy for terrorists than the rest of us. Maybe the terrorists feel the same affection. It should be interesting.
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