GOP Convention Confirms Bush Ready For Prime Time

On a scale of one to ten, the Republican convention at Philadelphia was a perfect 9.

Only participatory decision-making was lacking. But this caveat comes from your writer who was weaned to rockem-sockem politics 60 years ago when “floor fights” were the norm.

Principal purpose of party conventions – to charge the batteries of party faithful -- hasn’t changed over the years. Style is more fluffy; but, hey, that’s television.

Big decisions are still made in air-conditioned rooms (tobacco smoke being politically incorrect) but before conventions. The boob tubes dominated require brevity, balloons and entertainment on camera. Talking heads want desperately to get back to silly sit-coms and games which pay network bills.

Gavel-to-gavel coverage is relegated to C-Span and public television.

Ironically, teeveemeisters now complain about “tightly scripted” political affairs. We are reminded of the old admonition of being careful what you wish for lest your prayer be answered.

Gone are the “floor parades ” where delegations march around the convention hall with poster signs to prolonged band renditions of “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” and “Happy Days Are Here Again.”

Now we have a generic balloon drop, confetti and fireworks – impressive, but not self-fulfilling.

Funny hats and “great state” nominating braggadocio are still with us.

There is such a thing as custom.

For a time, it appeared that the Republicans were going to smother us with civility – a quality out of place in a political convention. Thankfully, Vice-presidential nominee Dick Cheney woke up everybody with a traditional attack on the opposition.

Red meat is essential in arousing grass-root party members to fighting pitch. Pablum is for babies.

Gov. Bush capped the convention with a speech that was professional in every way. He pushed all the hot buttons. He challenged Al Gore on issues. He didn’t flub a single line. He turned some memorable phrases.

The media commentators gasped when W. declared: “I will lead our nation toward a culture that values life – the life of the elderly and sick, the life of the young and the life of the unborn.

“Good people can disagree on this issue, but surely we can agree on ways to value life by promoting adoption, parental notification. And when Congress sends me a bill against partial- birth abortion, I will sign it into law.”

The prolonged, standing ovation after this unequivocal statement was the longest and loudest of the 107 applause interruptions during the 55-minute speech.

Gasps in the media booths were audible. Outrageous. This is the end of Bush’s candidacy. So much for compassionate conservatism.

Liberals can’t understand that not all women support sled- length abortion on demand. Bush splits the women’s vote. Without a big lead among women, Gore is done for.

Bush exasperated liberal Democrats who were imported by the networks to dispute everything said. He invoked memories of Presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy and Jimmy Carter. He quoted Reverends Martin Luther King and Jesse Jackson.

The best speech of the convention, in my opinion, was delivered by remote Monday night by Rev. Herbert Lusk. He roused repeated “amens” from his packed congregation of African- Americans at the Exodus Baptist Church in North Philadelphia.

In the measured-cadence of charismatic black preachers, Rev. Lusk emphasized, “We are supporting Governor Bush because we know he gives faith a chance.”

Rev. Lusk’s message was that capitalism and education were the keys to African-American entry into the economic and main stream.

This, too, brought convention Republicans to their feet -- and dancing in the aisles to the black, revival singers who followed.

Bush will not carry a majority of blacks, latinos, asians and other minorities; but he will be appreciated for his efforts at inclusion. Again, a five-percent shift in the minority voting pattern will hurt Gore.

There were so many memorable catch lines in Bush’s speech, pundits have not agreed on the one that will go into the record books. Suggestions are many:

“America has a strong economy and a surplus. We have the public resources and the public will, even the bipartisan opportunities. But this administration during eight years of increasing need, did nothing.”

“The (Clinton/Gore) administration had its moment. They had their chance. They have not led. We will.”

“We will write not footnotes, but chapters in the American story. We will add the work of our hands to the inheritance of our fathers and mothers and leave this nation greater than we found it.”

“Gore now leads the party of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, but the only thing he has to offer is fear itself.”

“Americans live on the sunrise side of the mountain. The night is passing, and we’re ready for the day to come.”

*it Lindsey Williams is a Sun-Herald columnist *io

williams – convention

Sunday- aug. 6, 2000

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