GOP Convention Goals
Goal #1: Pray that Tropical Storm Issac doesn't turn into Katrina II hitting New Orleans
The Republican message of "we are the competent ones who can make government work for you" does not need to be messed up with reminders of the chaotic response to Hurricane Katrina. President Bush's "great job Brownie" is totally out of context, but that is what history as pounded by the liberal media has defined Katrina as. Actually, having been on both major committees with oversight (Homeland Security, FEMA subcommittee and Govt Reform & Oversight) I was with the first group of Members in New Orleans. I personally watch the Gov of Louisiana feud with the Mayor of New Orleans & parish leaders. It was incredible. She refuses to seek federal help and Bush should have just over-riden state's rights beliefs with an emergency declaration takeover. But the point here is that if a disaster hits, and the President working with competent Gov Bobby Jindal, respond well, it could undermine the entire Republican goal of the Convention.
Corollary Question: Did this not occur to the National GOP that the convention was going to Florida during the hurricane season, with Romney's important acceptance speech scheduled to be approximately on the same day as Katrina started its angle to New Orleans? And if he is delayed until Friday, it is even worse? Hello?
Additional Point: Even if it doesn't hit New Orleans, the pictures of the storm are overwhelming other messages. Pictures are more powerful than words.
Goal #2: Humanize Mitt - Show his heart
Doesn't do much good to convince everyone that he is a great business leader who can turn the country around if the swing voters feel that what that means is that they get laid off while bankers make money. If his heart is a dollar sign, even 10% unemployment won't help. People want to know who he really is. Anne Romney's speech was moved from Monday to Tuesday night to make sure she gets the chance to do so. It reminds me of my wife Diane and good friends trying to explain to people that I was "really a nice guy" and not always so serious or combative. Smiles help but sometimes Mitt's seem plastered on. Business types, like me, tend to talk in numbers and charts. They inspire male businessmen (to over-stereotype) as is evidenced by Romney's lead among men. But people want to know: do you think like me or the guy who lives in a mansion in a gated community?
Goal #3: You did build it.
Romney's acceptance speech and Ryan's acceptance speech will be the two big events. My prediction for Romney's speech is that he will focus some on the usual laundry list of pleasing the base of the Party's coalitions, try to humanize himself but pound the "I believe you did build that successful business. I want to let Americans bring jobs back, and for government to get out of the way. Obama's philosophy that jobs are dependent upon the govt has failed. The choice is yours: if you want America to recover, let people who know how capitalism works lead the recovery. If you want continued failure, stay the course." Something like that.
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