The Pink Flamingo :: Conventions, Hurricane Gustav, Media Coverage & Other Forms of Hot Air

(I have an opinion of people who live below sea-level and keep expecting the Feds to bail them out (literally, figuratively, and financially). It is not charitable. If said storm hits where said storm is predicted to hit, some of the rebuilt and being rebuilt areas around New Orleans will probably be flooded. It is politically correct for tax-payers to demand that farmers who live in the low lying areas of the Mississippi flood plain not be allowed to rebuild in a flood prone area. Should the same standards not be applied to the New Orleans region?)

We are being treated to a full court press of doom and gloom from the media. It's like a train wreck in action. James Garner (my favorite Wyatt Earp, BTW) starred in a wonderful movie called Grand Prix. There is a scene (scroll 2:00 into the clip) where Yves Montand's character is killed. Eve Marie Saint loses it and begins screaming at the press. That's what today's coverage of this blasted hurricane reminds me of - blood - is that what you want? Is that what you came for?

(BTW - This is one of the great movies - incredible cinematography. If you've not seen it, do).

On the other hand, if the worst is not the worst, we do know that the one thing Michael Chertoff has accomplished (and I think he is the WORST thing GWB has done while in office) is to create an infrastructure where a million or so people can be evacuated in short order, with no hysteria. Maybe it's just a Republican thing and does exhibit why Republican Governors Rock, no matter what their gender or experience.

I am of a mixed opinion about the curtailment of the Convention. Sure, it looks good. We're living in a world of symbolism over substance. But, like Karl Rove mentioned on Brit Hume this evening, the Convention is where Sarah Palin was going to be promoted and seen. We would get our bounce out of the Convention. The good thing is Barack Obama had a fairly moderate bounce, and is starting to settle back down. If we have a bounce next week, we're doing good. On the other hand, in a world where symbolism is more important than substance, people are so stupid they will be suckered in by the hype.

Everyone is canceling parties to donate to people who may or may not need help. That's nice. It looks good. But what about the businesses who depended on those parties? What about the caterers, and the small mom and pop business that might provide balloons? What about the servers and bartenders who have put their lives on hold and are counting on the extra income and the tips? Same goes for the florest. Then there are the people who supply the linens for the events.

Sure most events are handled by large "catering" companies, but many people are going to be effected. What makes it even more symbolic, most of the stuff has probably already been paid for in advance. The real problem is the fact that it's going to make a lot of people in Minneapolis and St. Paul angry. If I were a small business person who was counting on this money I would be absolutely furious. The good thing - is they're liberal and probably won't vote GOP anyway.

That's the cynical version.

JOHN MCCAIN - POLITICAL GENIUS
On the other hand I am very proud of the GOP. We're finally learning how to play the game like Democrats - style over substance. We all know those parties are already paid for (at least by deposit). We all know the parties are still going to take place, only they will be like something in a speak-easy, knock on the door to get in.

The MSM is already in the tank for Obama. They're not going to say anything good about the GOP, McCain, or Palin anyway. We may get better coverage by being "sympathitic" and sensitive. Okay, I was really annoyed with John McCain for a few minutes. One of the Pink Flamingo's regular readers called and shot me down with a dose of reality. The more I think about it, the more I realize she is right.

John McCain is a chess master. The man is pure political genius. I am beginning to think he is the Einstein of GOP politics. It's a good thing he and Karl Rove are on the same side, or we could be looking at World War V. (Wait, that already happened in SC in 2000). I am afraid if I continue to wax poetic over the genius of John McCain I would begin to sound like Maureen Dowd channeling Bill Clinton, so I must shut up already yet.

It's John McCain's week. Last week it belonged to Barack Obama but John McCain played the role of the sneeky big brother and stole most of Obama's show and his thunder. This week, if things continue in the direction they seem to be going, there not much in the way Barack Obama can do for attention unless he continues to part the Red Sea (oops, the flood waters that may be coming).

Barack Obama has been backed into a corner. He can't run any ads against John McCain without seeming to be crass and tacky. (we all know he has no class) John McCain has backed Barack Obama into a corner. The problem is when wounded animals are cornered they are the most vicious.

CONVENTIONS OVER THE TOP?
On the other hand....

Even though they were Democrats, did you think their convention was as over the top as did I? That spectacle on Thursday night was remarkable. It was amazing. I don't begrudge Barack Obama's moment in the Versailles sun. He sparkled. He glittered. He glowed. He waxed poetic. Fireworks lit the Denver sky. It was magnificent.

It cost a fortune.

I think, with luck, John McCain (political genius) may have signaled the beginning of the end for all this spectacle. Sure a lot of venders make a lot of convention money out of the deal. But enough is enough.

The balloon drops are fine. Keep them.

Dump the confetti, Grecian temples, fireworks, and the cast of tens of thousands.

Spend the money on something else.

Fact is, I'm beginning to like the idea of having RNC attendees work the phones extorting money out of people - not for a political campaign - but for something better than we are - to help others.

The weirdest part of all of this is John McCain isn't doing all of this for effect. He's being John McCain, doing what he thinks is right. He may have just re-invented the way political conventions are run.

Cool.

Now - will that help get the good guys (and gal) a bump?