LAT: Lots of no-shows expected at Republican National Convention

[highplainsdem]

http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-noshows31-2008aug31,0,4256477.story

By Bob Drogin, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
August 31, 2008

DAYTON, OHIO -- As Sen. John McCain prepares to accept the Republican presidential nomination this week, his party's four-day convention will be notable in part for who isn't attending.

Compared with past GOP conventions, a surprising number of prominent lawmakers and candidates will stay away from the festivities Sept. 1 to 4 in St. Paul, Minn. -- chiefly citing tough reelection battles, previous commitments or other scheduling conflicts.

At least 10 incumbent senators, plus several Senate candidates, have sent their regrets. Only three incumbents in hotly contested races, including Kentucky's Mitch McConnell, the Senate minority leader, will join the partygoers.

"It's probably easier to say who is attending," said Rebecca Fisher, spokeswoman for the National Republican Senatorial Committee. But the list is "a moving target," she added.

Republican officials have encouraged candidates to focus first on winning their own elections. But an aide to a Republican senator, who spoke on condition of anonymity, offered another reason for the no-shows.

"The party brand is in tatters," said the aide. "The president is highly unpopular. There doesn't seem to be much excitement around the candidate. And there's a real fear of being tagged with the Republican label and being seen with George Bush."

-snip-

More at the link. This is a two-page article.

[skooooo]

1. "The party brand is in tatters,"

Thank you, God, that I have lived to see them say this in print.

Those M-fers are going down!

[kennetha]

5. Sure is.

And that's why I'm predicting that McCain will to a certain extent run against his own party. He HAS to brand himself as a "new" kind of republican. If he runs for the third Bush/Cheney term, he loses -- no ifs, ands or buts.

[skooooo]

6. Everyone should read this article...

"Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.), who is retiring after two terms, plans to visit Europe this week rather than St. Paul. Hagel last week issued a statement of praise for Joe Biden, the Delaware senator who is now the Democratic nominee for vice president.

Sen. Richard G. Lugar (R-Ind.) also offered public support for Biden. He isn't going to the GOP convention, according to his office."

[DarthDem]

10. Two of the Most Sane Gooper Senators

If not the two most sane, period, as I think about it. Quite telling.

[truthisfreedom]

2. They left out that McGustav and bush won't be there either.

[ChimpersMcSmirkers]

3. My Friends, Thank you for that stirring welcome.

<crickets>

[silverojo]

4. Ding-dong, the Party's dead! n/t

[kennetha]

8. Sung to the tune of "The Wicked Witch is Dead!"

Ding Dong the thugs are dead
Which old thugs?
The Wicked thugs!
Ding Dong!
The Wicked thugs are dead.

Wake up - joyful Dems, realize, Barack's ahead!
Wake up, the Wicked thugs are dead.
They're going to go, where has beens go,
Back home - Back home - back home. Yo-ho, let's open up and sing and ring the bells out.
Ding Dong' the merry-oh, sing it high, sing it low.
Let them know
The Wicked thugs are dead!

[eshfemme]

7. Um... I really doubt that not showing up at the RNC will help.

It'll just show the voters that they didn't even have the principle of standing with their party. If they were fucking stupid enough to retain the R at the end of their name, why are they so fucking scared of actually BEING a Republican? I don't get how they think not going to the RNC will negate the R because when the voter goes into the booth, that's all they'll see.

[justiceischeap]

9. Boy they can't get off that sinking ship quick enough. (eom)