National Elections

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

As Republican delegates prepare to approve the party’s 2012 platform on Tuesday, a new national poll shows that Americans are more interested in what’s in that document than they are in Mitt Romney’s and Paul Ryan’s acceptance speeches. Tuned-out nation more interested in GOP platform than Romney speech – LA Times:

[T]he document has not been made public. Earlier Monday, in an indication that party platforms may do more harm than good, Republican House Speaker John Boehner suggested that the GOP issue a one-page platform.

Too late. The Republican National Committee quickly pulled down a draft copy of its 2012 platform Friday afternoon after Politico discovered it hidden on the committee’s web site.
The RNC has kept the document tightly held, refusing to share earlier drafts with reporters. An apparent staff error led to its posting.
The RNC would not confirm to Politico that what was posted Friday is the final
platform language, but it matches amendments approved earlier this week
by the platform committee.

Think Progress did an analysis of the GOP platform based upon the platform committee deliberations from last week. GOP Approves ‘Most Conservative Platform In Modern History’:

Republican committee members spent Tuesday articulating and affirming the principles they stand for in a draft of the official party platform. Led by Gov. Bob McDonnell (R-VA) and featuring other Tea Party stars like Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach and Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), the committee approved a draft of the platform McDonnell said “will reflect the heart and soul of the Republican Party”and one committee member called “the most conservative platform in modern history.”

Here are some highlights:

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

The GOP tent revival prayer meeting and 3-ring circus gets underway in Tampa, Florida next wek.

The Republican National Convention has already had to reshuffle its previously announced schedule due in part to the threat from hurricane Isaac, political maneuvering around Ron Paul delegates, and the networks who were not going to telecast the opening night of the convention on Monday.

Some of the changes: the roll call of state delegates has been moved up to the first night on Monday, rather than Wednesday, to thwart Ron Paul troublemakers who want to stage a floor demonstration (sorry, no network TV losers). Ann Romney has been moved to Tuesday so that she can get network TV coverage of her herculean task to convince "you people" that Willard "Mittens" Romney is really a "warm and fuzzy" nice guy. Yeah, good luck with that Marie Antoinette.

The reshuffled lineup has not yet been announced. Based upon previous press releases, this is the best I can determine as to the list of speakers at the convention, always subject to change:

The "Headliners"

• United States Senator from New Hampshire, Kelly Ayote – she doesn't know who you are either
• Former Alabama Democratic Congressman Artur Davis – This year's version of Sen. Zell Miller (D-GA) – will he also challenge MSNBC's Chris Matthews to a duel?
• Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal – he's also an exorcist! (Google it)
• Florida Congressman Connie Mack, who is running for the Senate – the senile geezers in Florida think they are still voting for his father
• Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell – aka "governor transvaginal ultrasound"
• United States Senator from Ohio Rob Portman – George W. Bush's Director of the Office of Management and Budget, the man who brought you the Bush Great Recession

The Keynote Speaker is a Thanksgiving Day balloon on loan from Macy's, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie — he comes with his own hot air. I hope they built a lift into the stage so he can just pop up from below; the usual long walk to the podium might just give him a heart attack.

The Convention theme is "A Better Future" — Republicans want to take you back to the good old days of the 50s — the 1850s.

To this end, the disgraced former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich will host Newt University, a series of public policy workshops for delegates to brush up on culture warrior policy and the Christian Reconstructionist revisionist history behind the GOP platform (to be released on Monday).

No plans have been announced yet for the "Birther King," Donald Trump, but he assures us that his role will be "really huge" — like his ego.

Arizona's Cracker Contingent led by our George Wallace in a dress governor, Jan Brewer, Secretary of State Ken "Birther" Bennett, and Sheriff Bull Connor Crazy Uncle Joe Arpaio will attend to celebrate Kris Kobach's SB 1070 anti-immigration plank in the GOP platform, a salute to our Cracker Contingent. Crazy Uncle Joe has also been assigned the unenviable task of cleaning up behind the elephants at the Tampa Zoo after a fundraiser.

Posted by AzBlueMeanie: Too funny. Ruth's List Florida, a pro-choice group that seeks to elect Democratic women to office, says it has paid for this billboard to greet attendees of the Republican National Convention in Tampa. Billboard greets RNC guests: Welcome to Tampa, a city run by Democrats: The billboard is at the intersection of … Read more

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

The Democratic National Convention Committee (DNCC) today announced part of the lineup for festivities that will precede President Obama’s nomination acceptance speech at the Bank of America Stadium on Thursday, September 6.

Calling it a “tribute to the dynamic convention host state,” entertainers will include five-time Grammy award winner and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee James Taylor; local performing arts group and stars of America’s Got Talent, Inspire the Fire; and genre-bending rock band Delta Rae. DNCC Announces James Taylor and Other Hometown Talent for 2012 Democratic National Convention:

“I’m all fired up to take the stage at the Democratic Convention for President Obama right here in North Carolina,” said James Taylor, who penned and performed “Carolina in my Mind” – the iconic song that many people from North Carolina consider to be the state’s unofficial anthem.  “I think it’s so important that he have a second term to keep this country moving forward.”

“Highlighting such amazing talent from North Carolina as part of the entertainment at the convention’s closing event is just one way that convention organizers are working to bring the flavor of North Carolina to all Americans,” said DNCC CEO Steve Kerrigan. “Whether you’re one of the tens of thousands who received community credentials to attend this historic event in person, or tuning in remotely, you will have a taste of the wonderful region that is home to this year’s convention.”

I am sure that James Taylor will lead the stadium audience in a sing-a-long of "Carolina in my Mind" – sure to bring a tear to the eye of Tarheels. (Video below the fold).

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

Cristina Saralegui, the popular Latina television host who has been referred to as the “Hispanic Oprah,”  will speak at the Democratic National Convention, according to the DNC and the Obama for America campaign. Cristina Saralegui to speak at Democratic convention:

Saralegui as well as actress Eva Longoria will join a roster of speakers during the three-day event which takes place in Charlotte, North Carolina, September 4th through 6th.

In June, Saralegui publicly endorsed President Barack Obama. “You’ve had our back, and now, with utmost respect and admiration, I have yours.” The Cuban-American television and radio talk show host added that  ”President Obama is a principled man who has worked hard to put healthcare and a good education in the reach of millions of Americans, and believes that everyone who works hard and plays by the rules, should have a fair shot at the American dream.”

Video below the fold.