What are the republicans thinking?

[thatsrightimirish]

Putting their convention on Labor Day Weekend? Do they actually think people are going to watch? Advantage Democrats big time there.

[rknryd]

1. Republicans thinking

What a concept.
:-)

[bridgit]

2. republicans? whatever it is it's stink'n think'n...

x(

[mykpart]

3. Since when did Republicans want Americans watching them?

I think they chose Labor Day so that few people would see what they do!

[Wapsie B]

4. Limiting exposure could very well be what they want.

What with articles coming out about the conservative fundies growing impatient with the gop, Senators like Chuck Hagel openly dissing the handling of Iraq it could show a very fractured party at that convention.

[NanceGreggs]

5. Do they actually think people are going to watch?

I've got a better question: Do they actually think people are going to vote for them?

Well, let's think about the possible campaign slogans:

"The Democrats gave you a raise in the minimum wage -- but we gave you the Bankruptcy Bill!"

"We're good Christians, and that's why we voted for torture!"

"We promise not to give you another president as dumb as George Bush - that would be impossible!"

"Over 3,000 US troops dead in Iraq - aren't you glad we didn't waste your tax dollars on crap like body armor?"

"Our party needs your financial support - defense lawyers don't work for free!"

[leftofthedial]

6. the campaign version of the repuke Friday news dump

[TahitiNut]

7. Campaign spending.

The Dems can't be sure who the GOP nomminee is. The GOP spends more money in a shorter period - saturation TV.

[catnhatnh]

8. Hmm.....

How disrespectful of the Republics to hold their convention on Labor day weekend! It's one more despicable throw down in the face of workers everywhere! Forcing thousands of convention workers into routine toil on a day sacred to their achievements is as disgusting as throwing a pig roast during the Hadj! Karl Rove should apologize to hourly workers everywhere!

(Let's see how THEY like feigned outrage)

[Historic NY]

9. They must have forgot Jerry Lewis raises money for MD...

that weekend. Just another example of compassionate conservatism.

[Dogmudgeon]

10. On a serious note

I am quite impressed with Joe Scarborough lately.

It's not that I'm going conservative. Not by a long shot. I disagree with Joe over most issues. But his criticisms of Republicans Gone Wild are spot-on. Much of his criticism is from within the Republican and Conservative camps, and much of it is based on everyday mundane behavior, like fundamental decision making and politicking, stuff that tends to be non-ideological.

I think that most high-visibility Rep/Cons these days are ass-monkeys*, and it was probably once true of Scarborough, too. But that's not true about most of the non-religious-right rank-and-file. The haters have gotten far too much attention, and it's time for the non-fanatics to be heard. Joe may not speak for all of them, but he's doing a good job voicing many of their concerns. And their concerns should be our concerns. We are building a new majority. If we want to take the nation to the left, we must understand the nature of the right -- and their interests. Selling out is not necessary; intelligence IS. And if it's true that the neo-Con movement has split this nation and distorted the political process, it is up to us to fix it -- all of it that we can.

Granted, we all want to pound the Right into mush from time to time. However, there are some Republicans and/or Conservatives who still try to stay lucid and at least semi-intelligent. Joe Scarborough has surprised me by rising above the herd recently and emerging as the voice of the surviving conscientious GOP membership. He's held our guys' feet to the fire, but he's also had right-wing stalwarts on his show and he's laid into them, too. Now, this isn't too hard to do per se, but Scarborough's questions/arguments/proposals are much better thought-out than the average Freepazoid. He's the guy to watch. And when the Republican Party gets its act together again, he will be the guy to keep a playbook on.

I like to think that some of that Keith Olbermann magic is rubbing off on him. Whatever it is, having a conservative who isn't just a ranting mouthpiece is invaluable -- for liberals. If you are looking for that conservative, Joe Scarborough is the first one to turn to.

--p!
* Ass-monkey: On your ass, screeching, and flinging poo.