Experts See Drawbacks to GOP Convention in NY

[ShapeShifter]

 "It was the wrong place to go from the beginning," veteran Republican political consultant Roger Stone said.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nm/20040412/pl_nm/campaign_convention_dc&cid=615&ncid=1963&sid=96378800

[zachman]

They are pretty unlikely to be holding their convention after the 9-11 commission's report is issued. I think that the Bush administration will be the loser of the report, but I still believe Bush will highlight the immediate post 9-11 society in his speech.

[© tweed]

I think NY was a bad choice for the convention...as was boston for the dems.

[ShapeShifter]

I think NY was a bad choice for the convention...as was boston for the dems.

Why Bostion? Why not Ohio or Florida?

[zachman]

Boston turned out to be a good choice. First of all it lets the party center around Kerry. The second reason is that I can go stand outside and meet delegates and party staffers.

[© tweed]

Boston turned out to be a good choice. First of all it lets the party center around Kerry. The second reason is that I can go stand outside and meet delegates and party staffers.

It just enforces the 'Massachusetts liberal' thing and puts the south further out of reach.

[zachman]

Boston turned out to be a good choice. First of all it lets the party center around Kerry. The second reason is that I can go stand outside and meet delegates and party staffers.

It just enforces the 'Massachusetts liberal' thing and puts the south further out of reach.

Where could they have held it then withouy being accused of having it being a one-week campaign stop?

[hugh]

It should have been Detroit and Pittsb'. Detroit because it is in a semi-marginal state, but the city is heavily Democratic, and Pittsburgh because it is in an extremely marginal state, and is more GOP then Philly.

[zachman]

Detroit is kind of a small low powered city to hold a convention. Baltimore could have been a decent choice, although I'll doubt they'll retry that after 1860.

[Lunar]

Good places for the Dems (my opinion):
New Orleans
Philadeplhia
Cleveland
Milwaukee

Good places for the Reps:
Pittsburg
Cincinnati
Harrisburg
Columbus

Notice that 6/8 are in Pennsylvania or Ohio.  New Orleans was on the Dem list because Louisiana is somewhat Democratic and can help project Kerry's image as a national candidate rather than a Northeastern one.  Bush doesn't have that problem but he should stay out of the south for this, so Florida wasn't on the list.

[© tweed]

The Dems should have put it in Miami.  That, along with Detroit and Boston, was a fainalist.

[agcatter]

the 9-11 report is not going to hurt Bush.  I don't know where you get that.

[opebo]

GOP convention should've been in Columbus Ohio or Tampa Florida.  But NYC will be ok.

[Beet]

Its kind of a sinister way to extend the convention. You now how Passion of the Christ came out 4-5 weeks before Easter, now I don't think Mel Gibson did this on PURPOSE but it was perfect timing to give the movie an extra number 1 spot boost... just when it was fading Easter pushes it back up.

The convention timing is the same way, but this time I DO think it was on purpose... when people remember the 3 year anniversary of 9/11, they'll be thinking about the GOP convention subconsciously. Very sinister...

[Nym90]

Zachman--

Detroit is a larger city than Baltimore. It certainly has more than enough ability to host a convention, and hosted the GOP convention in 1980.

[AndyTheMan]

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It just enforces the 'Massachusetts liberal' thing and puts the south further out of reach.

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I agree. I think they should have picked St. Louis myself.

[Dave from Michigan]

detroit would be a bad spot for the democrats

[angus]

Good places for the Dems (my opinion):
New Orleans
Philadeplhia
Cleveland
Milwaukee

Good places for the Reps:
Pittsburg
Cincinnati
Harrisburg
Columbus

Notice that 6/8 are in Pennsylvania or Ohio.  New Orleans was on the Dem list because Louisiana is somewhat Democratic and can help project Kerry's image as a national candidate rather than a Northeastern one.  Bush doesn't have that problem but he should stay out of the south for this, so Florida wasn't on the list.

I doubt all those are good choices.  I've been to Harrisburg for example, and I'm not sure they have the facilities for a good convention.  Columbus and Cincinnati are probably not the best choices either.  The others have nice convention facilities, particularly Philly.

New York is an excellent choice.  One of my favorite places to hang out in the world.  Sure, Bush will look like he's exploiting tragedy, but he already does look like that so that's nothing previously avoided.  And NYC is a place full of self-righteous Democrats who will not waste this opportunity to make their party look really bad.

Boston has great convention facilities and is very Kerry-friendly, but, as has been pointed out, emphasizes his commitment to region over nation.  (I believe this is hogwash, as Kerry is obviously a man committed to the United States government, but I'm not sure all voters dissociate the paradigms.)  They should have chosen a larger Florida market, especially Miami since it's in Dade county, for the symbolism.  

[zachman]

Detroit is a fading city- no offense- and I don't believe it has a good stadium. Actually I don't think Baltimore has a good basketball stadium either.

[Nation]

Baltimore does have the 1st Mariner Arena, a decently sized place for a big event --- maybe not big enough for a Political Convention though.

[Lunar]

Baltimore does have the 1st Mariner Arena, a decently sized place for a big event --- maybe not big enough for a Political Convention though.

If they need the convention to hold Maryland, they're toast anyway.  While Baltimore would be better than Boston, it doesn't have enough "Southerness" to make an impact outside of a state that Kerry should be ignoring.

I'll take your word on it Angus, I haven't traveled as much.

That leaves:

Good places for the Dems:
New Orleans
Philadeplhia
Cleveland
Milwaukee
Miami

Good places for the Reps:
Pittsburg
Cleveland
Milwaukee

[angus]

Good places for the Reps:
Pittsburg
Cleveland
Milwaukee

Milwaukee:  Overweight white guys in the background choking down big bratwursts and hot dogs, their winter pallor just about cured by the two-week summer.  I'll vote against this one.

Cleveland:  2nd most populous city and largest metropolitan area in Ohio.  Cool breezes from the lake, and the Cuyahoga River hasn't been on fire in almost two decades.  This might not be bad.

Pittsburgh:  Voters vote exactly opposite me, I understand.  On economics they are liberal, on social issues they are whatever we're calling it these days.  Anyway, it presents Bush to connect with voters who may support him on stuff (god, guns, gays, kill the ragheads, etc) other than tax cuts.  Not a bad choice either.

New York City:  Beats 'em all!  Better luck next time losers!

[classical liberal]

The Dem convention should be in Indianapolis or Phoenix.
The GOP convention should be in Chicago or Detroit.

[Dave from Michigan]

The Dem convention should be in Indianapolis or Phoenix.
The GOP convention should be in Chicago or Detroit.

why the  GOP in detroit, detroit can't handle it

[Beefalow and the Consumer]

the 9-11 report is not going to hurt Bush.  I don't know where you get that.

I think the conclusoin of the 9-11 report is going to be something along the lines of "everyone's to blame, but we probably couldn't have stopped it, even with 100% vigilance."