Republican Convention

Excellent description of a political convention, au. I saw the same in the Dem lovefest.

I saw the dem lovefest too. The Repubs seem way more whipped up and fervently enthusiastic to me. I think this convention is more like a religious revival than a pep rally so far.

I agree. The GOPers are coming across as much more upbeat and enthusiastic than the Dems. But that is not too much of a surprise is it?

GOPers are generally more optimistic and positive about the future than are the glum Dems.

Of course, having lost every national and most statehouse elections in this decade, the Dems have little to NOT be glum about.

Larry
Yes and no. The democratic convention did not slobber as much. Rudy, McCain and the terminator were giving a good imitation of Monica.
As far as conventions are concerned they are as necessary as Teats on a bull. Waste of time, effort and money. How anyone's vote can be influenced by them is a mystery to me. But than again we are dealing with many times politically ignorant individuals. Who make their voting decision based upon the last 30, second political spot they see.

Au-- Sounds like wonderful LaGuardia memories...


-----------

Wall to wall prostitutes is me-speak for the general degradation of several areas of NY. Times Square, for one. You just couldn't go to some places and feel safe. The drug and flesh trade was out in the open, running legitimate businesses away. I didn't live there--I read about it.

Its a good thing for NY that they fixed it when they did. The city was on its way to becoming an urban jungle.

Also read how much it improved after Rudy.

The times square area the great white way had been deteriorating for years. The once great broadway movies with their stage shows that I went to when I was young had long since vanished. And had been replaced with many schlock shops. Thankfully the area has been cleaned up.. However, sad to say the glamour and opulance could never be replaced and I am sure never will be. Frankly it was the end of an era that can never be replaced. Progress at times is not what it is cracked up to be.

The only thing I was saying, au, is that Guiliani is the one who cleaned it up. He set out to do it, and did. <The man deserves his props.>
----------
I agree about progress, sometimes. Would have loved to see Times Square in the fifties. And, it will never be the same...

<poignant pause>

Excuse me as an outsider looking in can anyone tell me the purpose of these various conventions?

They used to serve an important purpose: Nominating a candidate. But it's been decades since any real decision-making happened at a convention. Now they're tightly scripted, and there's no real drama or controversy. They rev up the most fervent enthusiasts and leave the rest of the country cold.

Hence the lack of network TV coverage...

I also think its a good thing every four years to meet up and get reinvigorated.

But, yeah. It used to be necessary to gather the delegates to choose a candidate. The physical travel is no longer necessary--and the candidate is pretty much a heavily ordered selection--not like it used to be--but I'm pretty sure we'll always do it.

I enjoy them. Both of them.

Sofia
I do not know if Rudy had much if anything to do with the cleanup.
Funny story. When Frank Sinatra was appearing at the NY paramount my wife cut school to see him. The next day when the teacher asked her why she wasn't in class. She said she felt sick and went home. He than proceeded to pull out the news paper and there she was among the howling teenagers on the front page. { In the late 40's].
The teacher had a good laugh and let it go.

So when was the last Republican or Democrat presidential candidate actually chosen at their respective convention?

This century or the last or the one before that?

Damn! Blew that alibi!

<funny story>

I remember it happening so I know it was in this century. But just exactly when can not say.

OK, Kennedy was fighting for a nomination and lost it one year...56? (Me, not born.)

Ted Kennedy was almost drafted at the 1980 Convention.

The good stuff was a little before my time.

Reagan was tussling with someone over the VP slot in ....72?

Anyone got any Convention trivia?

I get the impression thats the problem Sophia

Too much trivia, not enough politics

Yeah. Guess we need a couple of palaces and a Queen. A big improvement on political substance.

Her Majesty doesn't do razzamatazz. (Well not in public anyway...though it is well known that she and Prince Philip once....er no sorry would like to but you know how it is)

I understand they give royal BJ's

Well I have to defer to your superior understaning AU