Because it's worked so well up to now:
Convention planners are considering featuring a centrist Republican leader on at least two of the three nights. Nightly remotes from swing states may include a CEO or “major Republican.” On Wednesday night, a “notable GOP woman” is among the possible participants. And on the final night, Democrats may include a Republican leader---someone like former Sens. John Warner or Chuck Hagel---or a GOP woman.“This segment would speak directly to independents, noting we are all ‘Americans first,’ ” the documents say. “Depending on the speaker’s background, the President’s military accomplishments might be highlighted.”
Thursday also may include a former military leader, perhaps paired with a former enlisted man or woman. “Ideally they would have witnessed first-hand the difficult decisions [Obama has] made,” the documents say. “A Republican leader would be ideal.”
Maybe John McCain or Lindsey Graham are available. Jesus.
Maybe I'm splitting hairs here, but what is the point of a party convention? I always thought it was about presenting yourselves, your values, and your party's policy agenda to the voters in a way that would persuade them to support your party instead of the other guy's. And yes, I realize that re-electing the President perhaps takes precedent over generic party marketing protocols, but shit, voters have made it clear time and again---most recently two years ago---that they generally detest the kind of centrist politics the President obviously favors, and would prefer their leaders to stand for something a bit bolder than bipartisanship for its own sake. A "fire-and-brimstone, tax-the-rich and fuck-Mitt-Romney"-themed convention would, I guarantee, be a bigger winner with voters than a ritual parade of Serious Persons confirming the Beltway wisdom of drone strikes, tinkering with the tax code, and sensible bipartisan entitlement reforms.
This ain't 2008---the party doesn't need to "sell" its standard-bearer to the voters the way it did four years ago. He's a known commodity by now, so there's no need to assure independent voters of his centrist bonafides. Unless the party convention's merely a dress rehearsal for a second term that will be largely dedicated to working across the aisle with an intransigent Republican Congress to get Big Deals Done like entitlement reform. All I can say is, good luck with that.
---Vitelius
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