Lounge of Tomorrow - Republican National Convention '08

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In watcing the Democratic convention last week and watching the Republican Convention right now I can't help but notice a subtle difference.

Both of these events have a lot of speakers. and since the rest of the media doesn't care to show gavel-to-gavel coverage so I watch on C-SPAN. Last week when lower-billed speakers were addressing the convention it seemed that not many people were paying attention, except for the delegation they were representing. I could tell cause I could hear the talking through the hall and the lack of applause at times when I expected to hear it.

I am noticing the complete opposite during the RNC. Even the least important speakers are getting the full attention of the delegates and full applause.

I noticed this same subtle difference in 2004 as well and it still strikes me odd. I wonder what the reason is?

Another shock was the RNC had a tribute video to their members who had passed in the past four years. I expected Jesse Helms to get the biggest applaise. However there was bigger applause for Charles Norwood (GA-10) and the biggest applause by far was for Tony Snow. I was pleasantly surprised.

There's another subtle difference that's responsible for that. The RNC is all delegates and only delegates. The public spectator seats are EMPTY.

The public spectator seats at the DNC were always filled, with crowds waiting to get in.

Party Faithful Only = attention to even minor speakers.
Public filling half the hall = a lot of talking during minor speakers.
No public interest in the RNC = doomed election for Republican candidates.

She hasn't been able to find confirmation, but CP told me that she heard a discussion that Fox News, providers of the pool coverage for the DNC, was being selective with what shots of the audience were being shown, especially during Michelle Obama's speech.

Oh hey, guess who's also providing the pool video for the RNC.

We'll see what the bounce is.

i heard there was a riot or something there today. I guess the RNC didn't require "free speech zones"?:)

(that was intended to be a poke....I'm not going to try to say otherwise)

I'm favorably impressed so far with the convention, and appreciate the emphasis on service, both public and military. It would be hard to disagree with any of these fine folks about that. My hats off.

But here's what really strikes me about the audience. They're white. They're really really really really white. I'm beginning to feel like I'm playing Where's Waldo? looking for the thinly scattered minority presence.

As Howard Dean once famously said, the Republicans can't fill the conference room with minorities unless they bring in the hotel staff.

His words, not mine.

I think the only person of color in the room is the adopted child of McCain.

That's very interesting.

.I intended to try to become a delegate but as the process was started in my county I was sick.

The only reason I am not there is because I thought that spectators were not allowed. I have family up there I could've stayed with. I know many more in the same boat I was not aware of anything different. That's a very good point. Thanks for pointing that out.

Lieberman has more bottom teeth than there are Osmonds...