The Dems are thinking about cutting their convention down to 3 days

[Wretched Excess]

I found this interesting.

we have discussed the very short period of time in between the two parties' conventions in this forum.
there is a weekend, and then just a day or two between the end of the Dem convention, and the start
of the republicans' convention.

ending a day earlier could only help mccain, it seems to me.  I would suspect that the DNC would be
against this, since a convention is all prime-time coverage.  typically, the parties like to showcase their
"up and coming" talent.

A short but sweet gathering

Barack Obama's campaign and the Democratic National Committee are toying with a convention scheduling change that has been broached before in theory but never seriously considered: cutting the party's conclave in Denver short by one day to give Obama an extra day of post-nomination bounce in the crowded August calendar.

For the last several decades -- when conventions became forums that merely rubber-stamp a presumptive nominee -- they have traditionally run from Monday through Thursday. Increasingly, both parties have struggled to offer something of interest during the first couple of convention nights, and the television networks have responded by dramatically reducing live coverage. The only truly significant event has been the nominee's acceptance speech, delivered during prime time on Thursday evening.

But Obama aides have floated the idea of ending the Denver convention on Wednesday, Aug. 27, instead of Thursday, Aug. 28.

The reason is the calendar. This year -- unlike in the past, when there was some separation between the two gatherings -- the Republican convention in Minneapolis-St. Paul is scheduled to begin four days later, on Monday, Sept. 1. The result, many Democrats believe, could be that Obama would not get the poll number bounce that nominees usually get immediately after being officially anointed.

Ending early, some Democrats argue, would give Obama an extra day to capitalize on the convention.

Adding to the Democrats' calculation is the growing speculation that McCain will announce his running mate in the brief intermission between the two conventions -- a good way to seize the spotlight from the just-nominated Democrat.

more

[Lord Undies]

1968

August 28, Wednesday: 10-15,000 gather at the old Grant Park bandshell for the MOBE's antiwar rally. Dellinger, Gregory, Ginsberg, Norman Mailer, Jerry Rubin, Carl Oglesby, Hayden, and many others speak. 600 police surround the rally on all sides. National Guardsmen are posted on the roof of the nearby Field Museum.

In the Convention at the Amphitheatre, the peace plank proposed for the Democratic party platform is voted down.

At the bandshell rally, news of the defeat of the peace plank is heard on radios. A young man begins to lower the American flag flying near the bandshell. Police push through the crowd to arrest him. Then a group, including at least one undercover police officer, completes the flag lowering and raises a red or blood-splattered shirt. Police move in again. A line of MOBE marshals is formed between the police and the crowd. Police charge the marshal line. Rennie Davis is beaten unconscious.

At rally's end Dellinger announces a march to the Amphitheatre, while Hayden urges the crowd to move in small groups to the Loop. 6,000 join the march line, but, since it has no permit and the police refuse to allow it to use the sidewalks, the march does not move. After an hour of negotiation, the march line begins to break up. Protestors try to cross over to Michigan Avenue, but the Balbo and Congress bridges have been sealed off by National Guardsmen armed with .30 caliber machine guns and grenade launchers. The crowd moves north and finds that the Jackson Street bridge is unguarded. Thousands surge onto Michigan Avenue. Coincidentally, the mule train of Ralph Abernathy's Poor People's Campaign, which has a permit to go to the Amphitheatre, is passing south on Michigan. The crowd joins it. At Michigan and Balbo the crowd is halted again. Only the mule train is allowed to continue.

Deputy Police Superintendent James Rochford orders the police to clear the streets. Demonstrators and bystanders are clubbed, beaten, Maced, and arrested. Some fight back and the attack escalates. The melee last about seventeen minutes and is filmed by the TV crews positioned at the Hilton. While this was probably not the most violent episode of Convention Week—the Lincoln Park and Old Town brawls were more vicious—it drew the most attention from the mass media.

Inside the Amphitheatre, presidential nominations are underway. Senator Abraham Ribicoff, in his speech nominating George McGovern, denounces the "Gestapo tactics on the streets of Chicago." Mayor Daley's shouted reaction was on-camera, but off-mike. Lip-readers later decoded a vulgar rage. Hubert H. Humphrey wins the party's nomination on the first ballot.

500 antiwar delegates march from the Amphitheatre to the Hilton; many join the 4,000 protestors in Grant Park. Again, protestors are allowed to stay in the park all night.

http://www.geocities.com/athens/delphi/1553/c68chron.html

Washington, DC, on August 28, 1963

Dr. Martin L. King, Jr:

I am happy to join with you today in what will go down in history as the greatest demonstration for freedom in the history of our nation.

Five score years ago, a great American, in whose symbolic shadow we stand today, signed the Emancipation Proclamation. This momentous decree came as a great beacon light of hope to millions of Negro slaves who had been seared in the flames of withering injustice. It came as a joyous daybreak to end the long night of their captivity.

But one hundred years later, the Negro still is not free. One hundred years later, the life of the Negro is still sadly crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination. One hundred years later, the Negro lives on a lonely island of poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of material prosperity. One hundred years later, the Negro is still languishing in the corners of American society and finds himself an exile in his own land. So we have come here today to dramatize a shameful condition.

In a sense we have come to our nation's capital to cash a check. When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir. This note was a promise that all men, yes, black men as well as white men, would be guaranteed the unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

It is obvious today that America has defaulted on this promissory note insofar as her citizens of color are concerned. Instead of honoring this sacred obligation, America has given the Negro people a bad check, a check which has come back marked "insufficient funds." But we refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt. We refuse to believe that there are insufficient funds in the great vaults of opportunity of this nation. So we have come to cash this check — a check that will give us upon demand the riches of freedom and the security of justice. We have also come to this hallowed spot to remind America of the fierce urgency of now. This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism. Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy. Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice. Now is the time to lift our nation from the quick sands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood. Now is the time to make justice a reality for all of God's children.

It would be fatal for the nation to overlook the urgency of the moment. This sweltering summer of the Negro's legitimate discontent will not pass until there is an invigorating autumn of freedom and equality. Nineteen sixty-three is not an end, but a beginning. Those who hope that the Negro needed to blow off steam and will now be content will have a rude awakening if the nation returns to business as usual. There will be neither rest nor tranquility in America until the Negro is granted his citizenship rights. The whirlwinds of revolt will continue to shake the foundations of our nation until the bright day of justice emerges.

But there is something that I must say to my people who stand on the warm threshold which leads into the palace of justice. In the process of gaining our rightful place we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred.

http://www.usconstitution.net/dream.html

They wouldn't dare close up shop before the 28th! 

[Uhhuh35]

The Dems should seriously consider paring it down to just an hour long "special". All the Dimwit stupidity that'll happen inside and outside the event is gonna' give us a lot of political ammunition.

[Jim]

BHO has sucked up all the oxygen and cash there is.  The DNC has allowed the inmates to overrun the asylum.

[Jim]

The Dems should seriously consider paring it down to just an hour long "special". All the Dimwit stupidity that'll happen inside and outside the event is gonna' give us a lot of political ammunition.

this seems to be what BHO has in mind for moving his acceptance speech to Mile HIgh Stadium.

[Wretched Excess]

more misery in denver:

Rising Convention Costs and Delays Worry Democrats

[Chris_]

Some of the Democratic missteps started almost immediately after planning for the event began. The Democratic National Convention Committee decided not to take cheap office space and instead rented top-quality offices in downtown Denver at $100,000 a month, only to need less than half the space, which it then filled with rental furniture at $50,000 a month. And in a costly misstep, the Denver host committee, early on, told corporate donors that their contributions were not tax-deductible, rather than to encourage donations by saying that the tax-exempt application was pending and expected to be approved.

And then there is the food: A 28-page contract requested by Denver organizers that caterers provide food in “at least three of the following five colors: red, green, yellow, blue/purple and white.” Garnishes could not be counted toward the colors. No fried foods would be allowed. Organic and locally grown foods were mandated, and each plate had to be 50 percent fruits and vegetables. As a result, caterers are shying away.

Too. Stupid. To. Breathe.

[Wretched Excess]

Some of the Democratic missteps started almost immediately after planning for the event began. The Democratic National Convention Committee decided not to take cheap office space and instead rented top-quality offices in downtown Denver at $100,000 a month, only to need less than half the space, which it then filled with rental furniture at $50,000 a month. And in a costly misstep, the Denver host committee, early on, told corporate donors that their contributions were not tax-deductible, rather than to encourage donations by saying that the tax-exempt application was pending and expected to be approved.

And then there is the food: A 28-page contract requested by Denver organizers that caterers provide food in “at least three of the following five colors: red, green, yellow, blue/purple and white.” Garnishes could not be counted toward the colors. No fried foods would be allowed. Organic and locally grown foods were mandated, and each plate had to be 50 percent fruits and vegetables. As a result, caterers are shying away.

Too. Stupid. To. Breathe.

pretty damned astonishing, isn't it?

[Chris_]

Some of the Democratic missteps started almost immediately after planning for the event began. The Democratic National Convention Committee decided not to take cheap office space and instead rented top-quality offices in downtown Denver at $100,000 a month, only to need less than half the space, which it then filled with rental furniture at $50,000 a month. And in a costly misstep, the Denver host committee, early on, told corporate donors that their contributions were not tax-deductible, rather than to encourage donations by saying that the tax-exempt application was pending and expected to be approved.

And then there is the food: A 28-page contract requested by Denver organizers that caterers provide food in “at least three of the following five colors: red, green, yellow, blue/purple and white.” Garnishes could not be counted toward the colors. No fried foods would be allowed. Organic and locally grown foods were mandated, and each plate had to be 50 percent fruits and vegetables. As a result, caterers are shying away.

Too. Stupid. To. Breathe.

pretty damned astonishing, isn't it?

Didn't Congress already give them $100 million dollars to spend?  They need another $40,000,000? 

"Vote for me!  Vote for me!" 

[Wretched Excess]

Some of the Democratic missteps started almost immediately after planning for the event began. The Democratic National Convention Committee decided not to take cheap office space and instead rented top-quality offices in downtown Denver at $100,000 a month, only to need less than half the space, which it then filled with rental furniture at $50,000 a month. And in a costly misstep, the Denver host committee, early on, told corporate donors that their contributions were not tax-deductible, rather than to encourage donations by saying that the tax-exempt application was pending and expected to be approved.

And then there is the food: A 28-page contract requested by Denver organizers that caterers provide food in “at least three of the following five colors: red, green, yellow, blue/purple and white.” Garnishes could not be counted toward the colors. No fried foods would be allowed. Organic and locally grown foods were mandated, and each plate had to be 50 percent fruits and vegetables. As a result, caterers are shying away.

Too. Stupid. To. Breathe.

pretty damned astonishing, isn't it?

Didn't Congress already give them $100 million dollars to spend?  They need another $40,000,000? 

"Vote for me!  Vote for me!" 

never fear.  BHO has dispatched his experts to denver to fix it.  and their best idea so far is to cut it back a day. 

if you can't run a convention, how are they going to run the country?

[franksolich]

Now, wait a minute, wait a minute, wait a minute.

Here, someone is thinking a day less of Denver would give a bigger "bounce" in the polls?

I thought the Obamaites predict a 49-state sweep.

And if the Obamaites honestly think this way, it doesn't make any difference how long the Democrat National Convention is; four days or forty days.

The Obamaites are so sure of a 49-state sweep that this should be irrelevant.

I think the Democrats should luxuriate in the comfort and hospitality of Denver for at least a week.

[Chris_]

never fear.  BHO has dispatched his experts to denver to fix it.  and their best idea so far is to cut it back a day. 

if you can't run a convention, how are they going to run the country?

If that helps them meet their budget, watch the crow about their "fiscal responsibility".   

[Wretched Excess]

Obama may accept nomination at NFL stadium

 

[Chris_]

A bigger crowd could make for a more compelling picture and image.

uh huh.

[Wretched Excess]

A bigger crowd could make for a more compelling picture and image.

uh huh.

I didn't realize it, but this whole denver convention thing is really a cluster-flock.

[docstew]

A bigger crowd could make for a more compelling picture and image.

uh huh.

I didn't realize it, but this whole denver convention thing is really a cluster-flock.

i understand that the presumptive nominee/messiah gets some input in the planning, but how long have they known the convention was going to be in denver?  besides, teh obama is raising 30-40M/month, why can't he throw in some cash (I know, CFR rules or some bs)?  maybe if he had to do that, he'd be on an even footing and need the public financing...

[Wretched Excess]

A bigger crowd could make for a more compelling picture and image.

uh huh.

I didn't realize it, but this whole denver convention thing is really a cluster-flock.

i understand that the presumptive nominee/messiah gets some input in the planning, but how long have they known the convention was going to be in denver?  besides, teh obama is raising 30-40M/month, why can't he throw in some cash (I know, CFR rules or some bs)?  maybe if he had to do that, he'd be on an even footing and need the public financing...

as I understand it, obama couldn't get seriously involved in the convention until hillary dropped out.  and even now, I
think there are very strict rules about what the nominee can pay for, and what the DNC can pay for.

[docstew]

but with 100M bux on hand, they can't do some general pre-planning?  the kind of stuff that requires nothing but time?  they don't even know what arena they plan to use... that kinda shit should be locked in months previous and the candidate adjusts to the party on some things

[Wretched Excess]

but with 100M bux on hand, they can't do some general pre-planning?  the kind of stuff that requires nothing but time?  they don't even know what arena they plan to use... that kinda shit should be locked in months previous and the candidate adjusts to the party on some things

the football stadium is just overkill.  he pulled 30,000 per event in PA, and still lost by 10.

[AllosaursRus]

A bigger crowd could make for a more compelling picture and image.

uh huh.

I didn't realize it, but this whole denver convention thing is really a cluster-flock.

i understand that the presumptive nominee/messiah gets some input in the planning, but how long have they known the convention was going to be in denver?  besides, teh obama is raising 30-40M/month, why can't he throw in some cash (I know, CFR rules or some bs)?  maybe if he had to do that, he'd be on an even footing and need the public financing...

Actually, I don't know why he couldn't just ask a few of his wealthier donors (georgie sorryass) to divert their donations to the convention. 

[Wretched Excess]

A bigger crowd could make for a more compelling picture and image.

uh huh.

I didn't realize it, but this whole denver convention thing is really a cluster-flock.

i understand that the presumptive nominee/messiah gets some input in the planning, but how long have they known the convention was going to be in denver?  besides, teh obama is raising 30-40M/month, why can't he throw in some cash (I know, CFR rules or some bs)?  maybe if he had to do that, he'd be on an even footing and need the public financing...

Actually, I don't know why he couldn't just ask a few of his wealthier donors (georgie sorryass) to divert their donations to the convention. 

he doesn't have any "wealthy donors", according to him.  they are all $20 donors.

[Wretched Excess]

Actually, I don't know why he couldn't just ask a few of his wealthier donors (georgie sorryass) to divert their donations to the convention. 

he doesn't have any "wealthy donors", according to him.  they are all $20 donors.

I forgot! My Bad!!!!




*** edited by WE to fix a quote tag problem ***

[Chris_]

I wonder how much of this is an unspoken attempt to short circuit my attempts to show the Democrat constituencies OUTSIDE THE CONVENTION for what they really are - a rabid Marxist, Knee-jerking mob of incompetents.  After all, if they're only gonna run it for 3 days instead of 4, that's one day less for the news cameras from all over the world to show moonbats in their natural habitat.  Considering how the Alphabet Propaganda groups are all in bed with teh Boядkstar, they'd take any excuse he could offer for them to do their "Move along, there's nothing to see here" act once the convention is "over".

[Wretched Excess]

I wonder how much of this is an unspoken attempt to short circuit my attempts to show the Democrat constituencies OUTSIDE THE CONVENTION for what they really are - a rabid Marxist, Knee-jerking mob of incompetents.  After all, if they're only gonna run it for 3 days instead of 4, that's one day less for the news cameras from all over the world to show moonbats in their natural habitat.  Considering how the Alphabet Propaganda groups are all in bed with teh Boядkstar, they'd take any excuse he could offer for them to do their "Move along, there's nothing to see here" act once the convention is "over".

I also wondered if this was an attempt to take the stage from any hillaryites that wanted to start trouble, but he has her
by the throat and long as she wants his $$$ to help retire her debt.  and if there is anything that the klintons crave more
than power, it is money.

now he's trying to have the last night at invesco field, which seems to sorta fly in the face about his anti-corporate message.

and it's pissing the networks off, who are spending oodles of money on their sets in the indoor arena, and now he wants
to have his acceptance speech, which is the only night that anyone actually watches, someplace else.

it's just not ever a good idea to piss off the MSM like that.

[DixieBelle]

Apparently the nutroots think an Ooooobama doc is being filmed and will be aired at the convention.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/07/05/inconvenient-truth-direct_n_110986.html

hey, at least they got someone who makes factual films! LOL!!!!