According to this CNN article, "The Republican National Convention is being held later than usual to avoid conflict with the Olympics." That's a little different than the lead-in to 9/11 memorials. Interesting. The Olympics run from August 11th to August 29th, 2004. Olympics coverage gets surprisingly low (The Sydney games got 32% lower ratings than the Atlanta games) ratings, I don't really understand the conflict there.
Anyway, the problem with this is in Alabama is thus, "The GOP won't choose a candidate until September 2 -- two days after Alabama's August 31 deadline to certify presidential contenders." Alabama has a bill in the works, that will have to be voted into law by the democratic legislature, so that candidates can be certified for the ballot on September 5th. Alabama is a historically super conservative state. I don't know if all those folks are smart enough to figure out a write-in vote for Bush. :P I'm cruel.
Friday at 8pm on NBC there's a Tom Brokaw interview with George W. Bush. Set your TiVo.
Bush's senior political advisor, Karl Rove is at it again...
Here are the main plans for Dubya Campaign 2004:
1. Successfully invade and occupy Iraq
--- Indeed this is a ratings booster. If they do find some crazy killing stuffs somewhere in the desert, Bush's inaugural will consist of, "Ah saids it to y'all so! Jackass U.N. Wusses! We dun mess 'roun' - in T-Teahxisss." as he points away from the capital towards the Washington Monument. This wouldn't be so bad, except the Monument would be west of him, the U.N. would be north. Should such an inaugural happen, I plan on attending. Arrest may ensue. (No need to worry, Mom, he won't win.)
2. Raise $200 million for a massive television campaign blitz
--- Do everyone a favor, and give this money to college students in need of some extra financial aide. Besides, he can get all the free advertising he wants on state-run Fox News.
3. Accept Republican nomination on September 2nd
--- We all know why this is... It has a close chronological relationship with September 11th. To frustrate the matter more for Democrats, the GOP convention is to be held in New York City as a lead-in to September 11th remembrance festivities. I can see the video montage now:
...
People crying, bleeding and running as a building collapses.
Fade into Bush on top of a pile of rubble rallying workers.
Fade into Bush addressing a joint session of congress.
Back to live feed of Bush walking from backstage holding Laura and Dicky's hand as he takes the microphone from his introducer, Nancy Reagan and says, "We STILL stand united!"
...
As if using 9/11 we seek vengeance unhealed wounds excuse wasn't bad enough as a case for two wars, apparently its fantastic material for personal political gain. Can't say I blame him. This will also be more than a month after the Democratic convention. From acceptance to election day, you get to spend $75 Million, the Bush camp will get to spend that in a much shorter period of time.
4. If all else fails - wag the dog
--- If things go south in pre-election polls, Bush can redphone Tom Ridge and have him increase the terror threat level to "RED - SEVERE." Thus all the liberal folks who live in densely populated areas that would actually have the chance of being attacked by terrorists don't go out and vote. Those Bush faithful in Nebraska where there is nothing to worry about will vote in record numbers.
Yes, I know, I'm brilliant. I should work for Bush. I could get him reelected solely with number 4. You just watch, this was entirely my own idea. It will show up all over the liberal webwaves (look there, another new cool thing I made up - webwaves.). Anyway... In my honest, nonpartisan political scientist (and no, I'm not yet qualified to actually make this sort of opinion) opinion - this is a recipe that equals fear. The Bush administration obviously sees their domestic faults and aggressive foreign policies as issues that can make this election a disaster. If not a disaster for Bush, it probably will be for Republican congressmen.
Read the details about the plan
P.S. The Brewers Suck. SportsCenter highlight commentary: "Richie Sexon running the bases like a racing sausage, PLAY AT THE PLATE! Even though it looks like his hand got under the Pudge tag, everyone, of course, is against Milwaukee. He's out."
My friend Douggy wrote this song. Good work Douggy! :)
Click here to play "Oh Wesley"
Lyrics by Doug Seiler:
oh wesley, who needs starfleet
we know that you're on top
enterprise is your true home with
a psychic, android, and a cyclops
it's tough to be a kid now
when you have all the know how
it's tough to be a kid in space
oh wesley, what have you done
your mother's stuck in trouble
with help from the traveller you'll
save her from that bad warp bubble
it's tough to be a kid now
when you have all the know how
it's tough to be a kid in space