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Campaign Crawlers
Storm Surge
Republicans in Tampa prepare for the coming campaign fury.
TAMPA, Florida — A day of overcast skies gave way to a night of steady rain here Sunday, and a gusty breeze was ruffling the palm trees outside the mansion near the bay by the time former Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour was asked to speak at the private party.
“This is the most important presidential election of anybody in this room’s lifetime,” Barbour told the conservative bloggers and activists crowded into the living room. “I’m the oldest person in here, and there’s never been an election in my lifetime with the consequences or the stakes in this election, because there’s never been an election where the difference between the candidates of the two parties was greater.”
Barbour’s words inspired a respectful silence from the festive crowd at Blog Bash, the party that drew together a high-caliber contingent of conservative New Media operatives for a night of cheerful schmoozing with a lavish buffet and an open bar. Co-sponsored by the National Bloggers Club and Palladian View, a South Carolina-based digital magazine focused on conservative women, the event at the mansion on South Shore Crest Circle was one of hundreds of parties that will be attended this week by those in Tampa for the Republican National Convention. And they were partying with especial enthusiasm Sunday night because of the tropical storm that resulted in the cancellation of Monday’s convention schedule.
The Republican Party will meet pro forma today, long enough to gavel itself into recess until Tuesday because of fears about Tropical Storm Isaac. Confronted with dire warnings about the possibility of a hurricane hitting Tampa with winds above 70 miles per hour and a dangerous tidal surge, GOP chairman Reince Priebus chose to err on the side of caution. “We’re not going to put delegates on a bunch of buses between Clearwater and St. Petersburg when we can’t predict how severe the wind is going to be and how bad the damage will be,” Priebus said in a conference call Saturday, explaining the decision to scratch Monday’s schedule.
Priebus’s caution proved unnecessary, as Isaac veered west across the Gulf of Mexico toward the Louisiana coast. The center of the storm missed Tampa by 200 miles, producing steady rain Sunday night, but nothing near the potential catastrophe that had been hyped in the media for several days. The unreliability of the mainstream media is not exactly surprising to Republicans, and was part of the reason that Barbour, himself a former RNC chairman, came to the Blog Bash party at the mansion. Addressing an audience filled with such New Media celebrities as Dana Loesch of Breitbart.com and Katie Pavlich of Townhall.com, Barbour reminded them of an era when conservatives had a much harder time speaking back to the power of the liberal-leaning mainstream media.
“I grew up in the political world when, at 6:30 Eastern, 5:30 Central, 90 percent of the TV sets in the United States were on ABC, NBC or CBS,” Barbour, 64, told the gathering, reminding them of a pre-Drudge, pre-Limbaugh, pre-Fox News media environment “where almost all the news that reached Americans was strained through the editorial boards of the New York Times, the Washington Post and the Associated Press. For conservatives, that was a bad model. We are blessed today where people have all sorts of sources of information. You are really an important one of those sources.”
Many of those in attendance were too young to remember the world described by Barbour, and can’t imagine what political news was like before the rise of New Media. Even as Barbour spoke to the Blog Bash crowd, the Drudge Report was headlining a story from the website of a local Tampa TV station about an anti-RNC protester who was arrested while carrying a machete. Hundreds of left-wing protesters, many of them associated with the “Occupy Wall Street” movement, have descended on Tampa for Convention Week. The reported arrest of a weapon-wielding radical exacerbated fears of violence by the protest mobs, but it is unlikely that the anti-Republican demonstrators will pose any real safety threat, if only because of the extreme security measures deployed to protect the RNC.
The downtown area surrounding the convention venue is known as “the perimeter,” and is surrounded by a vast law-enforcement contingent. “It’s like the Green Zone in Baghdad — it’s scary,” said one GOP consultant who attended Sunday’s Blog Bash party. However potentially dangerous the anarchist mob might be, there isn’t much chance they can penetrate the vigilant security cordon and disrupt this week’s convention. Unworried about such disruptions, Republicans here are in a mood to party, but remain mindful of the seriousness of the stakes in the campaign ahead. When the convention finally begins Tuesday, there will be only 10 weeks remaining until Election Day, and when Haley Barbour addressed conservative bloggers Sunday night, he emphasized the importance of the campaign.
“You’ve got an obligation to your children and grandchildren to make sure Barack Obama goes back to Chicago… because we can’t stand four more years of this,” Barbour said. “Eight years of Obama is not twice as bad as four. There is an exponential damage that is done to our country if he gets four more years.”
It was a serious warning, in some ways more serious than the hurricane warnings that had postponed the convention proceedings, as Republicans prepared to face the approaching storm of the fall campaign.
About the Author
Robert Stacy McCain is co-author (with Lynn Vincent) of Donkey Cons: Sex, Crime, and Corruption in the Democratic Party (Nelson Current). He blogs at The Other McCain.
Letter to the Editor View all comments (40) | Leave a comment
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Mimi | 8.27.12 @ 6:54AM
Well finally as we look back at 4 years ago and battered and worn and BROKE .....we say "WHAT IN GOD'S NAME DID WE JUST DO TO OURSELVES"....We thought we were going to prove..."We're not racist" when in TRUTH we did the most racist thing....In 2008 we elected a man for the color of his skin NOT the content of his character....hopefully the nightmare will soon end...We all the American People are eagar for this day, NOW, the Republican Party will pick us up, sooth our wounds, and promise to give us back our DREAMS OF A FUTURE.!
Tell us your plans.....Tell us what, how and when.
Give us HOPE....we need your INTEGRITY...your COMPETENCE, your respect for the office. What we want is simply this....THE TRUTH ...AND A GOOD DAYS HARD WORK!!
Von Mises Jr| 8.27.12 @ 7:59AM
If Obama regime is re-elected, our country and your life will be fundamentally transformed.
D'Souza "2016" explains how the (P) regressive movement led by Obama with his neo-colonial grudge wishes to destroy capitalism and the "American Dream," redistribute our wealth globally, reduce our nuclear and conventional military might and create a Middle East Islamic regime that will make us almost completely dependent on them for energy.
On the domestic front, this video by Dick Morris explains how Agenda21 will transform your individual life to live in a regional commune where you will live in a "stack and pack" apartment working for the state paying very high taxes and have no mobility: http://www.dickmorris.com/obam.....=dmreports
This is Obama's vision of "2016" and beyond.
It is a virtual prison and the New Serfdom.
Al Adab| 8.27.12 @ 9:43AM
"...and all our dreams of yesterday are one with Nineveh and Tyre."
While Romney is a clear and essential alternative to Obama, if this is the best the GOP can do, it is a sorry place to put our hopes for a free future.
Al Adab| 8.27.12 @ 9:43AM
"...and all our dreams of yesterday are one with Nineveh and Tyre."
While Romney is a clear and essential alternative to Obama, if this is the best the GOP can do, it is a sorry place to put our hopes for a free future.
Von Mises Jr| 8.27.12 @ 9:48AM
Initially the conservatives viewed the choice as between hamburger and a crap sandwich. But I must disagree with you since the addition of Ryan and Romney's taking obama on chest to chest.
It is not rib-eye yet, but Romney/Ryan is going to smoke them like Texas brisket.
Al Adab| 8.27.12 @ 12:15PM
Ryan was a good selection. His presentation and policy expertise is essential in the attempt to restore a sense of fiscal sanity to this government. Romney himself remains a east coast, centrist republican and for fifty years they have failed to stand for much of anything.
Still, I keep counting the electoral vote and no matter which way I turn, there sit FL and Ohio. Desperate times require desperate measures. Does Romney have it in him?
Dai Alanye | 8.27.12 @ 3:11PM
Our hopes are with Ryan.
As for BO, between foreign policy failure, economic meltdown and natural disasters it is apparent he has lost the mandate of Heaven. He must go.
TLP| 8.27.12 @ 5:33PM
Just get up on Voting Day, and Vote.
Stop Thinking.
There's nothing to Think About.
Do you want 4 More Years of President Apocolypes?
Or, do you want to start fresh, with a guy who's got the Business Experience, the Savvy, and has lived a GOOD LIFE, Free of Scandal, and Full of Good Works and Charity?
We've already done the Jesus? Or Barabus? Kabuki Dance.
Let's not make this in to a Gordian Knot situation.
It's not Heads or Tails, and it couldn't be Simpler of you tried.
It's 4 more years of America Hating Hell?
Or 4 Years of some guy who actually LOVES THIS COUNTRY.
You people are making me sick.
Zeppo| 8.27.12 @ 4:56PM
"Thy mercy on Thy people, Lord!"
Billy Earl Pait| 8.27.12 @ 9:24AM
In honor of all the delegates down in Tampa for our National Convention, please join me in singing that good old revival hymn "Heavenly Sunlight":
Heavenly sunlight, Heavenly sunlight,
Flooding my soul with glory divine;
Hallelujah! I am rejoicing,
Singing His praises, Jesus is mine.
And let's keep the name of Jesus on our lips as we make our comments on this weeks political news coming out of Tampa. Let us let go of our anger and put it all in the hands of Jesus. If we can just allow Jesus to take control of our every thought and deed, we will prevail.
'Hallelujah, Jesus is mine." Say it to yourself every time you post a comment.
C. Vernon Crisler | 8.27.12 @ 2:54PM
For a minute there I thought you were quoting the Platters' song:
Heavenly shades of night are falling, it's twilight time
Out of the mist your voice is calling, "It's twilight time"
I'm not sure that Republican delegates deserve any pious celebrations at this point. Let's wait until the end of the convention before we evaluate whether the delegates deserves praise (or blame).
pogybait| 8.27.12 @ 9:50AM
Please, can't we get past the melanin issue and leave all of that in the dustbin of history. The central core issue continues to be their conviction to fight so that Democrats and Obama will be able to continue their right of good intentions. Sabotaging businesses and destroying personal property somehow seem to make them feel and believe that they are fighting for the oppressed, evil businesses, greed....above all is "economic and social justice" . Let's hope that they continue to remain withdrawn from reality while we vote them out of office.
Alan Obama Fan Brooks | 8.27.12 @ 10:06AM
Let's get it straight: to defeat Obama you run a Rockefeller liberal with a pro-life wingnut at the bottom half of the ticket?
Von Mises Jr| 8.27.12 @ 11:09AM
troll alert
Al Adab| 8.27.12 @ 12:17PM
Pro-life wingnut? One would think that rational people would realize the death of 55MM fellow citizens is a serious matter. That number would depopulate California.
S.O.S| 8.27.12 @ 2:09PM
" . . . death of 55MM fellow citizens . . ."
What were their names and social security numbers? Can you provide a list of victims' names and social security numbers?
Why were the "murderers" of our "fellow citizens" not incarcerated for their "crimes"?
Dai Alanye | 8.27.12 @ 3:15PM
A good point. Let us return to the day when abortionists were jailed. Thanks for bringing that up. After all, if "Our children are the future of America," as we're often reminded by liberals, those who exterminate our future ought to be tried, convicted and incarcerated.
S.O.S| 8.27.12 @ 3:27PM
Uh huh. Yeah. Sure.
Now can anyone with anything intelligent to say respond to S.O.S's important point of view in a germane manner.
Mimi | 8.27.12 @ 3:53PM
What a idea! We sure can see to it they have a NAME and a SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER and yes the MURDERERS can be punished.
They are punished already with the burden and pain they carry and called GUILT....And that is why the numbers decrease and the POLLS inch toward LIFE. Slavery is no more...due the nation protecting their democratic rights...so will the unborn be given their RIGHTS TO LIFE...It will COME !
Drunken Sailor| 8.27.12 @ 3:46PM
names and social security numbers are now what is needed to be a citizen huh? Then I guess your ok with killing all the illegal immigrant children that are here regardless of age, since most of them cannot get a SSN#.
Or I guess all those infants sitting in new born nurseries can be killed according to your logic. They don't have SSN's yet, hell some haven't even been named yet.
Troll
S.O.S| 8.27.12 @ 4:54PM
Must I repeat myself?
Anyone with anything intelligent to say please respond in a germane manner.
Blobs of protoplasm in a woman's womb cannot be called "citizens" by any stretch of the imagination. The blob does not even know it is in the world! No name. No memory. No personality. No . . . etc.
Please refrain from using emotionally-toned language, such as "killed," etc.
S.O.S| 8.27.12 @ 4:55PM
Etc.
TLP| 8.27.12 @ 5:36PM
They have a Heartbeat.
They were Killed.
Enjoy Hell.
I hear it's warm this time of year.
Mimi | 8.27.12 @ 5:57PM
THANKS !
Doctor Right| 8.27.12 @ 6:24PM
When does life begin?
Please pinpoint it, genius.
Name the month, week, day, and hour.
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm????
Just as I thought; you're an empty suit. A fool.
A liberal.
S.O.S| 8.27.12 @ 7:53PM
Dr. Rightwing,
You ask when does life begin? Well, I think I will use the Bible (frequently referenced on this blog) to tell you when life begins.
The Bible speaks of the "quick and the dead."
Quickening, according to medical science, begins anywhere between the 13th week and the 20th.
The Bible does not recognize life in the womb before quickening--before the 13th week. This is the Bible's account of when life begins.
You're welcome.
S.O.S| 8.27.12 @ 7:59PM
'Jesus will come to judge the quick and the dead"
The verse is 2 Timothy 4:1. The "quick" is a reference to those who have "Life".
Understand?
But this is very unsettling. Jesus will judge a fetus in the womb? Doesn't make any sense to me.
S.O.S| 8.27.12 @ 7:59PM
In fact, the concept is crackpot.
Doctor Right| 8.28.12 @ 8:07AM
If you think that somehow answers the question, you're a complete joke.
You understand neither scripture nor biology (and I understand both!)
Jack in Wi| 8.27.12 @ 7:17AM
The polling between Obama and Romney is virtually tied in the mid 40's % each. The people who decide this election will be Ron Paul supporters. Romney knows it and that is why he is calling for a full audit of the FED, a return to the gold standard, and has tried to give Paul Ryan some libertarian credentials. He is also allowing Rand Paul address the convention and is having a video tribute to Ron played at the convention.
None of this will get him any votes unless he develops a more peaceful foreign policy which promises a quick end to these wars and a hope for peace. How could he do that? He could announce in his address to the nation and convention that he will in no way go into another war without getting declaration of war, that he is ending the war in Afganistan now, and that his main foreign policy goal would be to work for peace and understanding. If he bends over one more time to kiss Bibby Netanyahu's smelly rear end, forget about it. He will never get the votes of libertarians, the young, and independents that he needs to win.
Doctor Right| 8.27.12 @ 7:44AM
Ron Paul supporters are irrelevant.
That's because the vast majority of them are smart enough to realize the choice:
Obama, or Romney.
As such, the vast majority of Ron Paul's EX supporters will vote for Romney.
Only the die-hard Paul-Bot fools...like you, Jack...will base your support for Romney on your hatred of Israel and other Libertarian canards.
And if you think that's going to matter at all, Jack, think again.
The amount of moronic Paul-Bots who stay home on election day will be more than off-set by the amount of disaffected Democrats and former Obama-supporters who will be pulling the lever for Romney. This includes the 18-34 vote, which is up >50% in 2012. Do you think all of these unemployed 20-something's are fired-up to vote for Obama???
Jack, you've been dead-wrong about everything since the primaries. I guess you never heard the old saying:
"It it better to stay silent and be presumed a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt."
Prester John| 8.27.12 @ 3:11PM
The funny (or perhaps not too funny) thing about the Ron Paul folks is that having competed in the GOP primary and lost, many of them are going to take their toys and pout in the corner (as well as voting for Gary Johnson or Virgil Goode).
Now if the situation was reversed and Ron Paul was the nominee those same folks would be demanding (rather vehemently I believe) that everyone in the GOP line up behind their man and be loyal to the party and its candidate because he won fair and square.
Or am I mistaken?
Doctor Right| 8.27.12 @ 6:26PM
You're not mistaken; they're babies.
Alan Obama Fan Brooks | 8.27.12 @ 10:07AM
Rand Paul is right to want to audit the military- by all means do so.
Von Mises Jr| 8.27.12 @ 11:10AM
troll alert
Tom Kyba| 8.27.12 @ 11:36AM
More like turd alert.
Doctor Right| 8.27.12 @ 11:44AM
Don't get too excited, Alan...
...he said "audit", not "anal exam."
Albert Constantine Jr.| 8.27.12 @ 10:41PM
Mr. Brooks, I stumbled over this today on the Delaware Courts' website. Given an expressed dissatisfaction with every President since Reagan, and your embrace of sodomy, I thought these opening paragraphs might impart some perspective:
The defendant-appellant, Alan T. Brooks, filed an appeal from
the Superior Court’s June 4, 2012 order adopting the Commissioner’s
January 20, 2012 report, which recommended that Brooks’ fifth motion for
postconviction relief pursuant to Superior Court Criminal Rule 61 be
denied.1 The plaintiff-appellee, the State of Delaware, has moved to affirm
the Superior Court’s judgment on the ground that it is manifest on the face
of the opening brief that this appeal is without merit.2 We agree and affirm.
(2) The record before us reflects that, in March 1987, Brooks was
found guilty by a Superior Court jury of Murder in the First Degree,
Robbery in the First Degree, two counts of Kidnapping in the Second
Degree, two counts of Conspiracy in the Second Degree, Attempted
Robbery in the First Degree and Possession of a Deadly Weapon During the
Commission of a Felony. He was sentenced to life in prison plus fifty-two
years.
Spagna | 8.27.12 @ 12:06PM
"Eight years of Obama is not twice as bad as four. There is an exponential damage that is done to our country if he gets four more years." What a comment! Very original. Any specific points?
Mimi | 8.27.12 @ 4:20PM
Yea...The changes he has made will over and over multiply and the power of it all will runaway with itself and unlike yarn...can not be unwound...The country can NEVER be restored to its genesis of intention and purpose....The America we have known and loved with all its ups and downs, imperfections in strict adherence to the Constitutution with various administrations thru the years ....will after these stark Obama changesand four more years he will have done what he wanted and changes this great nation forever....We must stop it NOW ! May the men chosen at this convention be courageous and strong....A huge job for them...May God help us to elect them and keep his hand upon them and our country!